Who Is Lee Byung-hun Wife
Introduction
Lee Byung-hun’s wife is Lee Min-jung, a South Korean actress born on February 16, 1982, in Seoul, South Korea. Lee Byung-hun is one of South Korea’s most celebrated actors, known worldwide for playing the Front Man in Squid Game and for roles in Hollywood films like G.I. Joe and The Magnificent Seven. With his fame reaching new heights after Squid Game, fans have grown curious about the woman behind the scenes who has stood by him for over a decade. This article covers everything you need to know about Lee Min-jung, from her early life and acting career to how she and Lee Byung-hun fell in love, their wedding, their two children, and her presence on social media.
Who Is Lee Min-jung?
Lee Min-jung was born on February 16, 1982, in Seoul, South Korea. She grew up in the city and developed an early interest in performing arts, which led her to study theater at Sungkyunkwan University, one of South Korea’s respected academic institutions. Her formal training in theater gave her a strong foundation before she moved into professional acting.
She began her career on stage, appearing in playwright Jang Jin’s productions before transitioning to television and film. This background in live theater is often credited with shaping her acting style, giving her a natural, expressive screen presence once she moved to on-camera roles. Unlike many Korean stars who debut young through talent agencies, Lee Min-jung took a slower, more traditional path into the entertainment industry, building her craft through stage work first.
Today, she is widely respected in South Korea not just as “Lee Byung-hun’s wife” but as an accomplished actress in her own right, with a career spanning more than two decades.
Lee Min-jung’s Career & Professional Life
Lee Min-jung works primarily as an actress, and her career has spanned film, television, and theater since the early 2000s. After years in supporting roles, she gained wider recognition through the hit series Boys Over Flowers in 2009 and landed her first lead role that same year in the family drama Smile, You. Her breakout moment came in 2009 with the film White Night, followed by major mainstream success in the 2010 romantic comedy Cyrano Agency, which cemented her status as a leading actress in Korean cinema.
She continued building her filmography over the years, including a role in the 2020 drama Once Again. Her steady, decades-long career shows she built her reputation independently, well before and after marrying one of Korea’s biggest movie stars.
While her exact net worth is not publicly confirmed, Lee Min-jung has built financial success through acting roles, brand endorsements, and appearances on Korean variety shows, in addition to being part of one of South Korea’s most high-profile celebrity households.
How Did Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung Meet?
Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung first crossed paths in 2006. At the time, the two reportedly dated briefly, but their relationship did not last, and they each went their separate ways to focus on their respective careers.
Their story didn’t end there. Years later, after Lee Byung-hun had worked on G.I. Joe: Retaliation, he reconnected with Lee Min-jung, and the couple resumed their relationship around 2012. This time, things were different. Both had matured, and their renewed connection quickly grew stronger. Korean media reported that the couple dated seriously for about a year before deciding to take the next step.
Their reunion after nearly six years apart became one of the most talked-about celebrity love stories in South Korea, often described as a case of “second-time-around” romance succeeding where the first attempt hadn’t.
Marriage & Wedding Details
Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung got married on August 10, 2013, at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in the Yongsan district of Seoul, South Korea. The wedding was one of the most high-profile celebrity weddings in South Korea that year, drawing significant media attention given both stars’ status in the entertainment industry.
The ceremony brought together family, close friends, and fellow celebrities to celebrate the couple’s new chapter. Korean entertainment outlets extensively covered the event, with fans sending well-wishes across social media as news of the marriage spread. The wedding marked the official beginning of their life together as a married couple, following their rekindled romance.
Children & Family Life
Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung have two children together. Their first child, a son named Lee Joon-hoo, was born on March 31, 2015. Nearly a decade later, the couple welcomed their second child, a daughter, born on December 21, 2023, after confirming the pregnancy in August of that year.
Despite their massive fame, both Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung have kept their children largely out of the public eye, choosing to protect their family’s privacy while continuing their careers. The couple rarely shares detailed images or information about their kids in interviews or on social media, reflecting a broader trend among South Korean celebrities to shield their children from excessive public attention. This balance between a high-profile career and a private family life has helped the couple maintain a stable home away from the spotlight.
Lee Min-jung on Social Media
Lee Min-jung maintains a presence on social media, primarily using Instagram to connect with fans. She occasionally shares glimpses of her personal life, projects, and everyday moments, though she tends to keep posts about her family, including her children and husband, fairly limited. Her posts often reflect her interests outside acting, along with updates related to her career. While she isn’t as globally followed as her husband, whose fame skyrocketed after Squid Game, she maintains a loyal and engaged fanbase within South Korea and among international K-drama audiences.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lee Min-jung |
| Date of Birth | February 16, 1982 |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Profession | Actress |
| Married to | Lee Byung-hun |
| Marriage Year | 2013 |
| Children | 2 (a son born 2015, a daughter born 2023) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly confirmed |
FAQ Section
Q: What is Lee Byung-hun’s wife’s name?
A: Lee Byung-hun’s wife is Lee Min-jung, a South Korean actress. The two have been married since August 2013.
Q: How old is Lee Min-jung?
A: Lee Min-jung was born on February 16, 1982, in Seoul, South Korea, making her in her early forties as of 2026.
Q: What does Lee Min-jung do for a living?
A: Lee Min-jung is a South Korean actress known for roles in Boys Over Flowers, Cyrano Agency, and Once Again. She began her career in stage theater before moving to film and television.
Q: When did Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung get married?
A: The couple married on August 10, 2013, at the Grand Hyatt Seoul after rekindling their relationship several years after first meeting.
Q: How many kids do Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung have?
A: Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung have two children: a son named Lee Joon-hoo, born in 2015, and a daughter born in 2023.
Conclusion
Lee Min-jung is far more than just Lee Byung-hun’s wife — she’s a respected South Korean actress with a career built on stage training and steady on-screen success. Her journey with Lee Byung-hun, from a brief meeting in 2006 to a lasting marriage since 2013, shows a relationship built on timing, growth, and genuine connection. As Lee Byung-hun’s global fame continues to rise, Lee Byung-hun’s wife remains a well-known and respected figure in her own right, quietly supporting their family of four while continuing to build her own legacy in Korean entertainment.