Lee Joon-ik (born September 21, 1959) is a South Korean film director and producer. He is best known for directing and producing King and the Clown (2005), one of the highest grossing Korean films of all time. Other notable films include Sunny (2008), Hope (2013), The Throne (2015), Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet (2016), and The Book of Fish (2021).
Life and career Lee wanted to become a painter and wanted to attend an art school but he got married and had two children in his early twenties, thus he had to give up his dreams. He worked in the film industry, produced and distributed films before becoming a director himself. In an interview, he noted he does not have any formal education in the area, nor did he ever work as an assistant director before.
His movies often feature slang-based humour and political satire, simple but sincere plots and heartfelt stories.
Filmography
Film YearTitleCredited as DirectorProducer 1993 Kid Cop 1999 The Spy 2000 Anarchists Ghost Taxi 2001 Hi! Dharma! 2003 Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield 2004 Hi! Dharma! 2: Showdown in Seoul 2005 King and the Clown 2006 Radio Star Love Phobia 2007 The Happy Life Shadows in the Palace 2008 Sunny 2010 Blades of Blood 2011 Battlefield Heroes 2013 Hope 2015 The Throne 2016 Mood of the Day Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet 2017 Anarchist from Colony 2018 Sunset in My Hometown 2021 The Book of Fish
Television YearTitleCredited as DirectorProducer 2022 Yonder
Awards and nominations
AwardYearCategoryWorkResultAsian Film Awards2021Best DirectorThe Book of FishBaeksang Arts Awards*2009Best Director – FilmSunny 2014Hope 2016 Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet Grand Prize – FilmThe Throne,Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet 2021The Book of Fish Best Director – Film Blue Dragon Film Awards2006Best DirectorKing and the Clown 2013Hope 2015The Throne 2016Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet 2017Anarchist from Colony 2021The Book of Fish Buil Film Awards2016Best DirectorDongju: The Portrait of a Poet 2017Anarchist from Colony 2021The Book of Fish Chunsa Film Art Awards2016The Throne 2017Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet 2018Anarchist from Colony 2021The Book of Fish Grand Bell Awards2006King and the Clown 2008The Happy Life 2014Hope 2015The Throne 2017Anarchist from Colony Korean Association of Film Critics Awards2015The Throne Best Film 2016FIPRESCI AwardDongju: The Portrait of a Poet Max Movie Award 2015 Best FilmKing and the Clown
References
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