Lee Yong-yi (; born July 30, 1958) is a South Korean actress active in theater, television, and film. She is widely recognized for her portrayal of Nomo in both the stage and film versions of Welcome to Dongmakgol (2005) and for her role in the tvN series Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021).
Career
Early Theater and Stage Work After graduating from the Seoul Institute of the Arts in 1979, Lee debuted with the Theatre Company Minye in a production of Heinrich von Kleist's The Broken Jug. In 1986, she joined the joined Theater Company Michu, where she appeared in several significant productions. Her notable stage credits include the role of Hyeong-bang in Madangnori Chunhyangjeon (1987–1992) and King Bang Sook in Dung Dung Nakrang Dung, performed at the Seoul Arts Center in 1996.
In 1995 Lee Yong-yi cast as Gwibone in play That Woman's Novel, adapted from the novel "Little Grandmother!" by playwright Um In-hee. It was a refinement of a work published in 1989 by the writer Um In-hee in Another Cultural 3rd Collection. The play, directed by Kang Young-geol, was performed at the 19th Seoul Theater Festival in June 1995 at the Arts Center Small Theater. Lee Yong-yi received the 19th Seoul Theater Festival Female Acting Award for her portrayal.
Film and Television Lee made her cinematic debut in Park Kwang-soo's 1993 film I Want to Go to That Island. In the film, she portrayed Ne Eop-sun, a shaman, appearing alongside her real-life husband, actor Kim Il-woo, who played the character's spouse.
In 1998, Lee assumed leadership of the theater company Hyun Bin, which was founded by her husband. The company's inaugural production was an adaptation of Lee Moon-yeol's novel Choice.
Since 2017, Lee Yong-yi has been under an exclusive contract with Liyan Entertainment. She later transferred to High Entertainment.
Other activities Beyond acting, Lee is trained in Gyeonggi folk songs, having studied under the pansori master Ahn Bok-sik (1926–1997). She has also contributed to arts education as a lecturer on music and acting at the Sungkyunkwan University Social Education Center.
Personal life Lee was married to the late actor and theater director Kim Il-woo. The couple met while attending the Seoul Institute of the Arts, where Kim was her senior in the theater department. They had two children together. Kim died in 2004 following a diagnosis of stomach cancer.
Lee's older brother, , is also a professional actor. His career includes roles in the political dramas The Third Republic and The Fourth Republic. He has retired from the entertainment industry after his performance in the series Fermented Family.
Filmography Film Year Title Role 1993I Want to Go to That Island 1997 Barricade mother1998 Hyun Bin2000 Bongja kimbap restaurant owner2002 Don't Ask Family My Nike mother2004 Bride Lessons Super Grandmother2005 The Big Family Soon-ImWelcome to Dongmakgol NomoLeave when you applaudshaman2006 The Elegant World old womanSon's Things GrandmotherRighteous Ties Chi Seong-mo2007 The Miracle of 1st Avenue Seon Joo MoShadows in the Palace Cheon Sang-gungLet's Live Right Do Man Mo2008 Little Prince Sister DirectorOur School E.T. Mo Eun-silI Need CourageAccompanying motherMundi mother2009 Good Morning President NomoOperation Hyun Soo-moChungdam Bodhisattva Seung WonoBean Pods in My Eyes Sojoo Mo2010 How to travel with a cow mother of choice2011 Romantic Heaven old man Kim Boon In Mr. Idol RikimoThe Guitar Laughs Lee Gap-soonBob, Sang mother 2013 The Five Jeong Ha-moPerfectly Precious Love Sarang Grandmother 2014The Tenor – Lirico Spinto Bae Jae-cheol's mother2015 C'est Si Bon auntSalt StarBarter Exchange 2016 Missing: The Missing Woman a caregiver grandmother 2017 Fabricated City So Hyeon-Jeong Mo (voice)A Taxi Driver Hong Yong-pyo Mo 2018 Herstory a grandmother Yu, InukWhisper Whisper 2019 Jurors 8 Kang Doo-shik MotherLet Us Meet Now Hello - YoungshinLong Live the King- Mokpo Restaurant owner's grandmother (special appearance)The Missing Woman Tazza Grandma 2020 The Day I Died: Unclosed Case Grandmother Hwang 2021 Angels Are Viruses Grandmother on Knees 2024The Firefighters Shin Yong-tae's mother
Television series Year Title Role Notes 2002Pure Youth Park Jong-cheolJong-cheol's mother2004Tell Me That You Love MeGovernor2007New HeartPatientCameo2009Temptation of an Angelthe director of a nursery school2012A Gentleman's DignityLee Mi-kyung2013Prime Minister & ILee Dal-jaThe Eldestwife of the village mayorCameo 2014 You're All Surrounded owner of a food stallCameoEndless LoveMrs. AhnSweden LaundryGrandmother Tears of HeavenYoon Eun-ja2015Warm and CozyNoh Bok-nyeo, haenyeo of Sorang TownMy Fantastic Funeralgrandmother living upstairsIt's Okay Because I am a MomCha Ye-soonTV movieBubble GumpatientSweet and Bloody Family2016My Lawyer, Mr. JoMal-sookUncontrollably FondDrinking SoloMin Jin-woong's mother, Kim Mi-kyungDr. Romanticmother of a patient who came in after drinking pesticides2017Ms. PerfectGoo Jung-hee's mother 2017–2018 A Korean Odyssey Jin Seon-mi's grandmother2018Sunny Again TomorrowHwang Dong-seok's motherMy Only OneGeum-okThe Ghost DetectiveSeon Woo-hye's mother2019ChocolateSookja's grandmother Chief of Staff Yu's GrandmotherWhen My Love Bloomsconvenience store owner 2021 Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha Lee Mat-yi2021–2022Let Me Be Your KnightChorong2022The VeilLee Choon-gil's aunt
Stage
Hyunbin Troupe +Theater play performances with Hyunbin Troupe Year Title Role Theater Date English Korean 1998 (1998) Seoul International Theater Festival, Choice (1998) 서울국제연극제-선택 Manshin, a female shaman Arts and Culture Center August 31 to October 15 1998–1999 Choice - Lee Yong-yi Goodnori Play Hakjeon Blue Small Theater June 9 to February 21 Daehakro Theater November 26 to January 10 1999 Arts and Culture Center Small Theater February 5 to 212001(2001) SPAF Seoul Performing Arts Festival: Princess Bari(2001) SPAF 서울공연예술제: 바리공주GiriSejong Center for the Performing ArtsOctober 12 to 152002(2002) SPAF Seoul Performing Arts Festival: Happy House(2002) SPAF 서울공연예술제: 행복한 집WifeHakjeon Blue Small TheaterMay 9 to 19 Specialised in Raw Meat 생고기전문 Daehak-ro Small Theater rhythm space October 3 to 27 Producer2005Hyun Bin's Goodnori play 'Choice''' | rowspan="2" |극단 현빈의 굿놀이 연극 '선택' | rowspan="2" |Manshin, a female shaman |Inaso Theater |Nov 5 to 11
|Jeongmiso, Daehangno Installation Theater |Nov 25 to Dec 4
|2006 |The Richness|부유도 | |National Theater Sky Theater |October 25 to 29 |Artistic Director |- | 2008 | Dangun Bonpuri| 단군본풀이 | Dangun | Korean Music Hall | January 29 to February 3
| 2010 | There is Nothing Wrong with the Chair'' 의자는 잘못 없다 Daehangno Theater August 24 to 26 producer
Musical +List of Musical Play(s)YearTitleRoleTheaterDateEnglishKorean1999Beautiful autographs - delightful chatter of women who committed suicide!아름다운 사인(死因) - 자살한 여인들의 유쾌한 수다!Kim Gwi-inSeoul Arts Center CJ Towol TheaterNovember 4 to 24
Theater +List of Stage Play(s) with other Theater Troupe Year Title Role Theater Date English Korean 1986Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad엄마가 아빠를 옷장속에 매달아 놓았어요 그래서 나는 너무나 슬퍼요!!motherArts and Culture Center Grand Theater6.24—6.30 1997 Taxi Driver - Where are you going? 택시 드리벌 - 당신은 어디까지 가십니까? passenger Arts and Culture Center Small Theater February 27 – March 18 (21st) Seoul Theater Festival: Taxi Driver - Where are you going? (제21회) 서울연극제: 택시 드리벌 - 당신은 어디까지 가십니까? October 10–15 1999Three Tall Women키 큰 세여자CYonkang Hall6.8 – 6.202000Lady in the Pine House 101st Theater Company Constellation Performance소나무집 여인아Jin Woo-heeDongsung Art Center Dongsung Hall6.29 – 7.9(12th) Geochang International Theater Festival; Lady in the Pine House (제12회) 거창국제연극제; 소나무집 여인아Jin Woo-heeWicheon Theater8.1 – 8.2 2002 Welcome to Dongmakgol 웰컴 투 동막골 Nomu 2009 3 Days 2 Nights with My Mother's 친정엄마와 2박3일 Mrs. Choi Lee Hae-Rang Arts Theater 01.17 – 03.08Changwon Seongsan Art Hall Grand05.02 – 05.03Unhyeongung Brother (2009) (10th) Okrang Drama Award Winner운현궁 오라버니Han Sang-gungNamsan Arts Center12.4 – 12.13 2010 Theater Heated Battle 3 - The Most Beautiful Goodbye in the World 연극열전3 - 세상에서 가장 아름다운 이별 Sangju-daek Daehak-ro T.O.M. Hall 1 04.23 – 07.18 2011 The Most Beautiful Goodbye in the World 세상에서 가장 아름다운 이별 Taebaek Culture and Arts Center Grand Performance Hall 02.19 – 02.19 2014 The Sea of Eomong 어멍의 바다 Superwoman Uniplex Hall 1 (Grand Theater) 12.17 – 12.18 2016 Smile Deokgu 웃어요 덕구씨 wife Masterpiece Theater 2 (Former Fox Star Theater) 09.03 – 10.02
National Theater +List of Stage Play(s) with National Theater Year Title Role Theater Date English Korean 1995 Bull 불 Bun-yi-eo-meom National Theater Small Theater Mar 29 – Apr 4 Myeongdong Theater Sep 1–7 2012 It's a Flower 꽃이다 geomne National Theater Company Baek Baek Hee Jang Minho Theater Sep 22 – Oct 7
Theater Company Michu and Minye Theater +List of Stage Play(s) with Minye Trope Year Title Role Theater Date English Korean 1981 Baenggi Good The 60th Minye Theater Troupe Theater Performance 배뱅이 굿 Samwol-i National Theater Small Theater 10.23 – 10.281983Puppet Nooreum - Park Cheomji Noria great manMinye Theater3.1 – 3.15Hannah's Ascension한네의 승천sadang-paeArts and Culture Center Grand Theater6.25 – 6.30 1985 Rice — The 87th performance 쌀 Woman Arts and Culture Center Small Theater 8.29 – 9.31986Muldori-dong물도리동ShamanArts and Culture Center Grand TheaterSeptember 1–5 1993 The 111th Regular Performance Disengagement - Portrait of a seeker脫俗 - 어느 구도자의 초상Gwibunne Arts and Culture Center Small Theater 3.18 – 3.3120th anniversary commemorative performance Disengagement - Portrait of a seekerHakjeon Small Theater6.4 – 6.30 Disengagement - Portrait of a seeker Hakjeon Small Theater 8.31 – 9.191995That Woman's Novel (Original Title: Little Grandmother) the 22nd anniversary of the founding of the theater company Minye Theater(제19회) 서울연극제: 그 여자의 소설Jag Eun-Daegu Arts and Culture Center Small Theater June 3 to 15 That Woman's Novel (Original Title: Little Grandmother) the 19th Seoul Theater Festival in 1995 September 19 to October 1 That Woman's Novel (Original Title: Little Grandmother) Nov 1 – Dec 31 1996 Arirang Jeongseon - The sound of life, the sound of love 아리랑 정선 - 삶의 소리, 사랑의 소리 mother Arts and Culture Center Small Theater April 26to May 8
+List of Stage Play(s) with Michu Trope Year Title Role Theater Date English Korea1986Muldori-dong 물도리동ShamanArts and Culture Center Grand Theater9.1 – 9.51991Shadow of Time - Trilogy시간의 그림자 - 3부작motherArts and Culture Center Grand TheaterJune 25–301989Shin Yi Gukgi신이국기SeoulArts and Culture Center Grand TheaterMay 9–15 1996 Dung Dung Nakrang Dung King Bang SookSeoul Art Center CJ Towol TheaterJuly 12–24
Musical +List of Musical Play(s) with Michu TroupeYearTitleRoleTheaterDateEnglishKorean1990Make a Hero영웅만들기executiveArts and Culture Center Grand TheaterMar 27 – Apr 2
Awards +List of Award(s)AwardYearCategoryWorksResult 19th Seoul Theater Festival Acting Award 1995 Best Actress That Woman's Novel (Original Title: Little Grandmother) 4th Hiseo Theater Award 1999 Best Actress Lee Yong-yi
Notes
References
External links
Lee Young-yi at PlayDB Lee Young-yi at Daum Encyclopedia Lee Young-yi at Daum Movie Lee Young-yi at Naver Lee Young-yi at Highent Entertaintment Official Website