Lee Se-young (; born December 20, 1992) is a South Korean actress. She debuted as a child actress in 1997 and was best known for her roles in Dae Jang Geum (2003), When I Turned Nine (2004), Lovely Rivals (2004), and The Wonder Years (2007). She is best known for her leading roles in The Crowned Clown (2019), The Red Sleeve (2021), The Law Cafe (2022), The Story of Park's Marriage Contract (2023), and What Comes After Love (2024).
Lee has received multiple awards and has been featured multiple times in Forbes magazine's Korea Power Celebrity 40 list. She is referred to as a "Historical Drama Queen" due to her prominent roles in several successful historical drama.
Early life and education Lee Se-Young was born on December 20, 1992 in Bangbae-Dong Seocho District, Seoul, South Korea. Lee reportedly revealed on MBC's Radio Star that her parents put her into acting because they feared she would be kidnapped due to her appearance. During the early 1990s, there were many child-kidnapping incidents that shook South Korea. Lee's parents got her into the Entertainment Industry hoping that if she became well-known it would deter kidnappers.
Lee Se-Young attended Seoumun girl's middle school and high school. Lee attended Sungshin Women's University majoring in Media Communications where she was named Queen of Campus.
Career Beginnings Lee began her career as a child actress; and was best known for the films When I Turned Nine, Lovely Rivals, and The Wonder Years.
As she entered her early twenties, Lee also appeared in the television series Puberty Medley, Missing You and Goddess of Marriage, as well as films Horror Stories 2 and Hot Young Bloods. Lee got increasingly larger roles in music romance drama Lovers of Music and fantasy mystery thriller The Vampire Detective.
2016–present: Rising popularity Lee's popularity increased after starring in the family drama The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop (2016), where she received favourable reviews. She and co-star Hyun Woo were dubbed as "The Ahchoo Couple" by fans. Lee also won the Best New Actress award in the television category at the Baeksang Arts Award for her performance.
In 2017, Lee starred in her first leading role in free-to-air TV station with KBS2's youth drama Hit the Top. Lee then starred in the fantasy romantic comedy drama A Korean Odyssey by the Hong sisters, and was praised for her portrayal of three different characters.
In 2018, Lee played her first big-screen leading role in the comedy film Duck Town.
In 2019, Lee starred in the tvN historical drama The Crowned Clown, based on the 2012 Korean historical film Masquerade, where she played the role of Queen Yoo So-woon. The same year, she appeared in the horror film Lingering and the medical drama Doctor John.
In 2020, Lee starred in the mystery thriller Memorist as a genius profiler. She then reunited with Shin Sung-rok, whom she previously worked with in Lovers of Music, for the MBC drama Kairos.
In 2021, Lee played the role of Sung Deok-im in MBC hit historical romance drama The Red Sleeve, co-starring alongside Lee Jun-ho.
In 2022, Lee made a special appearance as a cinema employee in the film Seoul Vibe. Lee also played the lead role as a lawyer named Kim Yu-ri in KBS romantic comedy drama The Law Cafe, reuniting with A Korean Odyssey co-star Lee Seung-gi.
In November 2023, she also appeared in the time-traveling historical fantasy drama titled The Story of Park's Marriage Contract.
In September 2025, Lee left her agency Prain TPC, which she had been with for 11 years, and signed an exclusive contract with Fantagio.
Other ventures Ambassadorship In 2005, Lee was appointed as an Honorary Space Ambassador by Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Ministry of Science and Technology. Lee was appointed as the first ambassador of Seoul Teen Women's Festival by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2008 to help promote and create a safe Seoul for teenage girls. In June 2011, Lee was appointed as a Public Relations Ambassador for Energy Citizen Solidarity to promote the importance of energy conservation practice and protecting the environment. In 2018, Lee was appointed as a Crime Prevention Ambassador by Seoul Gangdong Police Station, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
Endorsements In 2008, Lee became the first model and endorser for Nana's B, a cosmetic brand for teenagers by LG H&H. In 2012, she was appointed as an exclusive model for Samchuly, the most well-known bicycle company in Korea. In 2013, Lee was named as an executive model for Clean & Clear. From 2017 to 2019, Lee became a model and endorser for the cosmetic brand Tony Moly and a French dessert company and the world's largest franchise brand of yogurt Yoplait from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, She was named as the new ambassador of a cosmetic brand The Face Shop new line Yehwadam by LG H&H. In 2022, Lee re-appeared as an ambassador for Yoplait, became the first Cetaphil brand ambassador in Korea, an exclusive model for Italian luxury brand Versace fragrances, and the first brand ambassador for eco-friendly fashion brand Joseph and Stacey. In 2023, Lee became an exclusive model for sunglasses brand Vedi Vero. In 2024, she became an exclusive model for the fermented milk product Dr. Capsule 100 by Binggrae and an exclusive model and endorser for home aesthetic brand Vanav. In 2025, Lee became an exclusive model for clothing brand SOUP known for its romantic and feminine mood, became friends of the house Japanese luxury brand Shiseido, and brand ambassador for French luxury hair care Rene Furterer by Laboratoires Pierre Fabre. In August, Lee become an exclusive model for a contemporary Korean fashion brand with a Parisian sensibility Merci Anne S.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2004 Dance with Solitude Young-hee When I Turned Nine Jang Woo-rim Lovely Rivals Go Mi-nam 2005 All for Love Jasmine, an aspiring actress Cameo 2007 The Wonder Years Soo-ah 2012 All About My Wife Jang Sung-ki's stalker Cameo Grape Candy Female bank customer 2013 Horror Stories 2 Se-young Segment: "444" 2014 Hot Young Bloods So-hee 2018 Duck Town Hee-jung 2020 Lingering Yoo-mi 2022 Seoul Vibe cinema employee Special appearance
Television series Year Title Role Notes 1997 The Brothers' River 1998 The Path of the Great Dynasty Princess Cheongseon My Mother's Daughters 1999 Did We Really Love? Kang Jae-young (young) Promise Jin-ju Sunday Best – "Dangerous Lullaby" Im Ja-min 2000 MBC Best Theater – "Song, Let's Play" Kang Song-yi MBC Best Theater – "He was Abandoned by Her" Hye-jin Foolish Princes Yeo Sat-byul 2001 I Want to See Your Face Lee So-dam 2002 Present Kim Da-hee Original Fairy Tales on TV – "Robinson Crusoe in the Classroom" Lee Hye-jung My Love Patzzi Yang Song-yi (young) Kitchen Maid 2003 Country Princess Lee Eun-hee (young) Land of Wine Lee Sun-hee (young) Drama City –"Queen of Disco" Kang Soo-ji Merry Go Round Sung Eun-kyo (young) Jewel in the Palace Choi Geum-young (young) 2004 Beijing My Love Jang Na-ra 2005 HDTV Literature –"Sonaki" Girl Single Again Lee Soo-jin Sisters of the Sea Song Choon-hee (young) 2006 High Kick! Lee Se-young Cameo (Episode 143) 2008 Kokkiri (Elephant) Gook Se-young 2011 KBS Drama Special – "Yeongdeok Women's Wrestling Team" Cha Bong-hee Bachelor's Vegetable Store Han Tae-in 2012 Dream of the Emperor Chun Gwan-nyeo Missing You Han Ah-reum 2013 Goddess of Marriage Noh Min-jung Puberty Medley Yang Ah-young Drama Festival – "Haneuljae's Murder" Mi-soo 2014 Lovers of Music Park Soo-in 2016 The Vampire Detective Han Gyeo-wool The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop Min Hyo-won 2017 Hit the Top Choi Woo-seung A Korean Odyssey Jin Bu-ja / Jung Se-ra / Ah Sa-nyeo 2019 The Crowned Clown Yoo So-woon Doctor John Kang Shi-young 2020 Memorist Han Sun-mi Kairos Han Ae-ri 2021–2022 The Red Sleeve Seong Deok-im / Royal Noble Consort Uibin Seong 2022 The Law Cafe Kim Yu-ri 2023–2024 The Story of Park's Marriage Contract Park Yeon-woo 2025 Motel California Ji Kang-hee scope="row" rowspan="2" Long VacationLee Deul-pan Covet the Scholar, Princess Princess Eun-myeong
Web series Year Title Role 2020 How Are U Bread Noh Mi-rae 2024 What Comes After Love Choi Hong 2026 The Remarried Empress Rashta Isqua
Television shows Year Title Role Notes 2017 King of Mask Singer Contestant as "Kisses It's Nice to Meet Kissing Gourami" (Episode 109) 2017 Get It Beauty Main host 2018–2019 Weekend Playlist Cast member 2024 Europe Outside Your Tent - Romantic Italy
Hosting Year Title Notes 2023 19th Seoul International Drama Awards with Jun Hyun-moo 2023 MBC Entertainment Awards with Jun Hyun-moo and Dex
Music video appearances Year Song Title Artist 2002 "S.II.S (Soul To Soul)" S.E.S 2008 "가슴아 그만" Black 2011 "Don't Touch My Girl" Boyfriend 2014 "If I" Chung Dong-ha "I Feel on You" Lee Seung-hwan
Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result APAN Star Awards 2022 Best Couple Lee Se-young The Red Sleeve Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries The Red Sleeve Popularity Star Award, Actress 2024 Best Couple Lee Se-young What Comes After Love Asia Contents Awards 2025 Best Female Lead in a TV Programme/Series Made in Asia What Comes After Love Asia Star Entertainer Awards 2025 Fan Choice Couple Lee Se-young What Comes After Love Asian Television Awards 2025 Best Actress in a Leading Role What Comes After Love Baeksang Arts Awards 2005 Best New Actress – Film Lovely Rivals 2017 Best New Actress – Television The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop 2022 Best Actress – Television The Red Sleeve Brand Customer Loyalty Awards 2024 Best Actress (Drama) Herself Chunsa Film Art Awards 2004 Best Young Actress When I Turned Nine KBS Drama Awards 2005 Best Young Actress Rain Shower 2016 Best Couple Lee Se-young The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop Best New Actress The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop 2022 Best Couple Lee Se-young The Law Cafe Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries The Law Cafe Top Excellence Award, Actress Korean Broadcasting Awards 2023 Best Actor/Actress Korea Drama Awards 2017 Best New Actress The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop 2019 Excellence Award, Actress The Crowned Clown 2025 Top Excellence Award, Actress What Comes After Love Motel California Korean Film Awards 2004 Best New Actress When I Turned Nine MBC Drama Awards 2020 Best Couple Award Lee Se-young Kairos Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Monday-Tuesday Miniseries / Short Drama Kairos 2021 Best Couple Award Lee Se-young The Red Sleeve Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries The Red Sleeve 2023 Best Couple Award Lee Se-young The Story of Park's Marriage Contract Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries The Story of Park's Marriage Contract 2025 Best Actress Award Motel California SBS Drama Awards 2019 Excellence Award in Miniseries (Actress) Doctor John Best Couple Lee Se-young Doctor John Seoul International Drama Awards 2021 Outstanding Korean Actress Kairos
Listicles +Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placementPublisherYearListiclePlacementCine212021New Actress to watch out for in 20226th Forbes 2023 Korea Power Celebrity 40 20th 2024 34th 2025 40th
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