SingerActorSouth KoreanEntertainer

Lee Ji-hoon (entertainer)

Lee Jee-hoon is a South Korean singer and actor known for his diverse career spanning music, film, television, and musical theatre, earning him the nickname "prince" of K-pop.

1. Early Life and Education

Lee Jee-hoon was born on March 27, 1979, in Seoul, South Korea. His blood type is AB. He completed his elementary education at Seoul Samjeon Elementary School in 1992, followed by Dongsin Middle School in 1995, and Baemyeong High School in 1998. He later pursued higher education at Dongguk University, where he earned a bachelor's degree from the Department of Theater and Film.

2. Singing Career

Lee Jee-hoon's singing career began in 1996, quickly establishing him as a popular figure in the K-pop scene. He later formed a project group with two close friends and continued to release solo music throughout his career.

2.1. Debut and Early Career

Lee Jee-hoon made his debut as a singer on October 15, 1996, while still attending high school. His first album, Rhythm Paradise, featured the single "Why the Heaven". He quickly gained popularity as a "handsome high school singer" due to his refined looks and vocal abilities, achieving idol-like status. His first two albums were successful, but his music career experienced a brief slump after his third album, which marked a significant shift from his previous ballad style. He had not released a solo album since his 4th album in February 2001, focusing instead on other broadcast activities.

2.2. Project Group 'S'

In 2003, Lee Jee-hoon formed a project group called 'S' with his close friends Kangta of H.O.T. and Shin Hye-sung of Shinhwa. The group released their first album, Fr.in.Cl., on September 25, 2003, which included popular tracks such as "I Swear", "Love Is...", and "Just One Moment". After an eleven-year hiatus, the group made a comeback with their second album, Autumn Breeze, released on October 27, 2014.

2.3. Solo Music Releases

Following a period of focusing on other activities, Lee Jee-hoon released a new solo album, Trinity, on April 21, 2004. The title track, "Trinity", was a ballad sung in a powerful, shouting-like style. Female vocalist Lee Soo-young and Shin Hye-sung also participated in this album. His solo discography includes:

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSales
KOR
Rhythm Paradise
  • Released: November 25, 1996
  • Label: Samsung Music
  • Format: CD

>rowspan="3" | No data available

No data available
Love and Forever
  • Released: October 17, 1997
  • Label: Samsung Music
  • Format: CD

>-

Man
  • Released: June 18, 1998
  • Label: Samsung Music
  • Format: CD

>-

Eternity Friend
  • Released: April 2, 2000
  • Label: Nice Entertainment
  • Format: CD, cassette

>4

  • KOR: 136,845+

>-

Special With...
  • Released: February 1, 2001
  • Label: SM Entertainment
  • Format: CD, cassette

>7

  • KOR: 171,438+

>-

Trinity
  • Released: April 21, 2004
  • Label: Nice Entertainment
  • Format: CD, cassette

>20

  • KOR: 10,584+

>-

The Classic
  • Released: February 13, 2008
  • Label: M&FC
  • Format: CD, cassette

>-

-

3. Acting Career

Lee Jee-hoon transitioned into acting around 2004, taking on various roles in both films and television dramas, establishing himself as a versatile performer.

3.1. Film Roles

Lee Jee-hoon has appeared in several films, showcasing his acting range:

YearTitleRole
2004Lovely RivalsKwon Sang-choon
2004New Royal Secret CommissionerVoice
2005Wet Dreams 2Kang Bong-goo
2013Good FriendsJoon-oh
2015Maggi and CarolDr. Takumi
2022Idol RecipeBae Jae-seong
2023The Roundup: No Way OutDetective Yang Jeong-soo
2024The Roundup: PunishmentDetective Yang Jeong-soo
2024Elisabeth: The Musical LiveLuigi Lucheni

3.2. Television Roles

He has starred in numerous television drama series, often portraying diverse characters:

YearTitleRoleNetwork
1997MeConvenience store part-timerMBC
1997Three Guys and Three GirlsLee Ji-hoon (guest singer)MBC
1997Country DiariesMBC
2003Pretty WomanJang Se-woongMBC
2005Wonderful LifeMin Do-yunMBC
2006-2007Billie Jean, Look at MeChoi Hye-sungMBC Every1
2007Hello! MissHwang Dong-gyuKBS2
2007-2008New HeartLee Dong-gwonMBC
2008-2009You Are My DestinyKim Tae-poongKBS1
2009Can't Stop NowNoh Soo-riMBC
2010-2011The King of LegendHae GunKBS1
2011KBS Drama Special "Identical Criminals"Han Sang-wonKBS2
2011-2012My Daughter the FlowerEun Chae-wanSBS
2012Suspicious FamilyJason (Chun San-man)MBN
2012-2013Glass MaskKim Seon-jaetvN
2013You Are the Best!Kim Young-hoonKBS2
2013Our Cha Cha Cha 2Hwang Seok-junSBS Plus
2014House at the End of the WorldLee Ji-hoonKBS1
2015Our Cha Cha Cha 4Hwang Seok-junSBS Plus
2015-2016Oh My VenusKBS2
2016Jang Yeong-silJang Hee-jeKBS1
2016-2017My Fair LadyCha Chi-sooKBS2
2017Our Cha Cha Cha 6Hwang Seok-junSBS Plus
2019Our Cha Cha Cha 8Hwang Seok-junSBS Plus
2021Our Cha Cha Cha 10Hwang Seok-junSBS Plus
2023Our Cha Cha Cha 12Hwang Seok-junSBS Plus
2023-2024Korea-Khitan WarJang Yeon-wooKBS1

4. Musical Theatre

Lee Jee-hoon has a prominent career in musical theatre, taking on leading roles in numerous productions.

YearTitleRole
2006Altar BoyzMatthew
2008-2009HamletHamlet
2009March of YouthWang Gyeong-tae
2009-2010The Harmonium in My MemoryKang Dong-soo
2010Brave BrothersJoo Bong
2010Thrill MeRichard Loeb
2011High-tech Musical WonhyoWonhyo
2011Jack The RipperDaniel
2011The Three MusketeersD'Artagnan
2011-2012EvitaChe
2012Lovers in ParisHan Ki-joo
2013ElisabethLuigi Lucheni
2013-2014WickedFiyero
2014Priscilla, Queen of the DesertAnthony "Tick" Belrose ("Mitzi Mitosis")
2014-2015La Cage aux FollesAlbin
2015ElisabethLuigi Lucheni
2015-2016Le Passe-MurailleDusoleil
2016Mozart!Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
2016Kinky BootsCharlie
2017HeroAhn Jung-geun
2017HamletHamlet
2017InterviewSinclair Gordon
2018Anna KareninaCount Vronsky
2018Bungee Jumping of Their OwnIn Woo
2021XcaliburKing Arthur
2022XcaliburLancelot
2022GwangjuYoon Yi-geon
2022ElisabethLuigi Lucheni
2022-2023The Devotion of Suspect XYukawa
2022RuthBoaz
2023Ben-HurMessala

5. Broadcast Activities

Beyond his music and acting careers, Lee Jee-hoon has actively participated in various broadcasting roles, including radio hosting, television presenting, and appearances in variety shows and commercials.

5.1. Radio DJ

Lee Jee-hoon has hosted several radio programs throughout his career:

  • SBS Power FM Young Street (January 1, 1998 - December 31, 2000)
  • SBS Love FM Happy Our Young Days (April 2, 2001 - April 14, 2002)
  • EBS FM Essay Concert (August 27, 2012 - February 22, 2013)
  • SBS Power FM Beautiful Morning This is Kim Chang-wan (Special DJ, August 10 - August 11, 2021)

5.2. Television MC and Variety Shows

He has also been a familiar face on television, serving as an MC and appearing in popular variety shows:

  • MBC Saturday Saturday is Fun
  • KBS Super Sunday
  • MBC Breaking News Entertainment City
  • KMTV Show Music Tank (co-hosted with Kim Hyun-joo)
  • SBS Happy Our Saturday
  • SBS Wonderful Encounter
  • MBC Golden Fishery (November 29, 2006 - March 28, 2007)
  • MBC Love Generation (November 24, 2008 - December 26, 2008)
  • MBC Every1 Now is Flower Boy Era (May 12, 2009 - October 13, 2009)
  • SBS Yo Girls Diary Season 2 (May 27, 2010 - June 16, 2010)
  • QTV Women Who Rank (August 5, 2010 - November 11, 2010)
  • E Channel Love Tournament (November 19, 2010 - February 25, 2011)
  • KBS1 House at the End of the World (July 6, 2014 - August 10, 2014)
  • KBS2 TV is the Love Silko (1998) as Guest
  • MBC King of Mask Singer (2015, 2016) as Contestant (as "General Kim Jang-gun" and "Count with Opened Throat")
  • TV Chosun Call Center of Love (2021) as Guest
  • TV Chosun Bukkae Golden Age (2021) as Fixed cast (as Lee Tae-ri)
  • TV Chosun Tuesday is Good Night (2022) as Guest
  • TV Chosun Avadream (2022) as Dreamer (as Mystery)
  • SBS My Little Old Boy (2023) as Guest
  • tvN / tvN STORY Golf Star K (2023) as Fixed cast

5.3. Commercials, Voice Acting, Web Series, and Music Videos

Lee Jee-hoon has also lent his talents to commercials, voice acting, web series, and music videos:

  • Commercials (CFs)**:
    • Lotte Confectionery Crunch Chocolate (1997)
    • Lotte Confectionery Chan Chan CF 1&2 (1997)
    • IVY CLUB (2003)
    • Lotte Hi-Mart CF 1&2 (2005)
  • Voice Acting**:
    • New Royal Secret Commissioner (2004)
    • Shin Amhaengeosa (2004) - Opening narration
    YearTitleRoleNotes
    2021Baekdol's Great EscapeHostwith Kwon Hyuk-soo
    2022"I hate trot" (나는 트로트가 싫어요)Music Video AppearanceSong by Im Chang-jung

6. Discography

Lee Jee-hoon's discography includes solo studio albums, releases with the project group S, and contributions to various soundtracks and compilation albums.

6.1. Solo Albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSales
KOR
Rhythm Paradise
  • Released: November 25, 1996
  • Label: Samsung Music
  • Format: CD

>rowspan="3" | No data available

No data available
Love and Forever
  • Released: October 17, 1997
  • Label: Samsung Music
  • Format: CD

>-

Man
  • Released: June 18, 1998
  • Label: Samsung Music
  • Format: CD

>-

Eternity Friend
  • Released: April 2, 2000
  • Label: Nice Entertainment
  • Format: CD, cassette

>4

  • KOR: 136,845+

>-

Special With...
  • Released: February 1, 2001
  • Label: SM Entertainment
  • Format: CD, cassette

>7

  • KOR: 171,438+

>-

Trinity
  • Released: April 21, 2004
  • Label: Nice Entertainment
  • Format: CD, cassette

>20

  • KOR: 10,584+

>-

The Classic
  • Released: February 13, 2008
  • Label: M&FC
  • Format: CD, cassette

>-

-

6.2. Group Albums (S)

6.3. Participated Albums

Album #Album DetailsKey Tracks
1stFr.in.Cl.

  • Released: September 25, 2003
  • Genre: Ballad
  • Distributor: KMP Holdings

>

  • I Swear
  • Love Is...
  • Just One Moment
  • I Believe
  • Tears of the Moon
  • Didn't Know (Stay)
  • Why.. (I Was)
  • Never Knew
  • Only Know Love (Love is what I need)
  • Sentimental
  • Prayer
  • Streaming TRAX Emerald

|-

2ndAutumn Breeze

  • Released: October 27, 2014
  • Genre: Ballad
  • Distributor: SM Entertainment>KT Music

|

  • Do Everything You Want (Without You)
  • Let Go (One Last Memory)
  • Into the World (Utopia)
  • On Such a Day (One Fine Day)
  • Secret Letter

|}

7. Awards and Nominations

Lee Jee-hoon has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career in music, acting, and musical theatre.

7.1. Music Awards

Album #Album DetailsKey Tracks
1stLove Towards You (Can't Stop Now OST)

  • Released: November 4, 2009
  • Genre: Drama Music
  • Distributor: CJ E&M

>

  • Love Towards You (Can't Stop Now OST)
  • Love Towards You (Inst.) (Can't Stop Now OST)

|-

2ndOperation Proposal OST Part 4

  • Released: March 8, 2012
  • Genre: Drama Music
  • Distributor: Neowiz Internet

>

  • Be My Heart
  • Be My Heart (Inst.)

|-

3rdLove Forecast OST

  • Released: February 5, 2015
  • Genre: Film OST
  • Distributor: CJ E&M

>

  • Paradise

|}

YearProjectAwardResult
1997Seoul Music Awards New Artist AwardWon
KMTV Gayo Daejeon Most Popular SingerWon
SBS Gayo Daejeon New Artist AwardWon
KBS Music Awards Most Popular SingerWon
12th Golden Disc Awards BonsangWon
2003Group S18th Golden Disc Awards Pavv Popularity AwardWon
Group SKorean Music Awards (KMA) Artist of the YearWon
SBS Gayo Daejeon BonsangWon
KBS Music Awards BonsangWon



Music Program Wins

7.2. Acting Awards

YearAward Details (Total 12 Wins)
1997 (Total 5 Wins)
  • Why the Heaven... (Total 5 Wins)
    • February 15 MBC Inkigayo Best 50 1st Place
    • February 26 KBS Gayo Top 10 1st Place
    • March 1 MBC Inkigayo Best 50 1st Place (2 consecutive weeks)
    • March 2 SBS TV Gayo 20 1st Place
    • March 12 KBS Gayo Top 10 1st Place (2 consecutive weeks)

    >-

2001 (Total 3 Wins)
  • Doll (With Shin Hye-sung) (Total 3 Wins)
    • March 10 MBC Live Music Camp 1st Place
    • March 25 SBS Inkigayo Mutizen Song
    • March 31 MBC Live Music Camp 1st Place (2 consecutive weeks)

    >-

2003 (Total 4 Wins)
  • I Swear (Group S) (Total 4 Wins)
    • October 19 SBS Inkigayo Mutizen Song
    • October 26 SBS Inkigayo Mutizen Song
    • November 1 MBC Live Music Camp 1st Place
    • November 2 SBS Inkigayo Mutizen Song (3 consecutive weeks)

    >}

YearProjectAwardResult
2004MBC Drama Awards Best New ActorNominated
2008KBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a Daily DramaNominated

7.3. Musical Theatre Awards

YearProjectAwardResult
201319th Korea Musical Awards Best Supporting ActorWon
20148th The Musical Awards Best Supporting ActorNominated

7.4. Other Accolades

YearProjectAwardResult
1999Ministry of Culture Commendation for Contribution to Youth CultureWon
200314th Seoul Music Awards Hallyu Special AwardWon

8. Personal Life

Lee Jee-hoon in July 2012
Lee Jee-hoon in July 2012

In April 2021, Lee Jee-hoon announced his engagement to his non-celebrity girlfriend, Miura Ayane, who is Japanese and 14 years his junior. The couple originally planned their wedding for October 2021, but it was postponed to November 8, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On February 16, 2024, it was announced that his wife was pregnant. Their daughter, named Ruhi, was born on July 17, 2024.

9. Public Relations Ambassadorships

Lee Jee-hoon has served as a public relations ambassador for various organizations and events, demonstrating his commitment to community engagement:

  • May 2007: Non-Smoking Public Relations Ambassador
  • February 2009: 10th Jeonju International Film Festival Public Relations Ambassador
  • August 2012: Gangseo-gu, Seoul Public Relations Ambassador
  • 2012: Milal Welfare Foundation Public Relations Ambassador