1. Early Life and Education
Lee Mi-yeon's early life was rooted in Seoul, where she began her comprehensive educational journey, culminating in a specialized university degree in theater that laid the foundation for her distinguished acting career.
1.1. Childhood and Family
Lee Mi-yeon was born on September 23, 1971, in Seoul, South Korea, specifically in Banpo-dong, Gangnam-gu (now Seocho-gu), a bustling area of the capital. She is the youngest of four children, with one elder brother and two elder sisters. Lee Mi-yeon identifies as a Protestant.
1.2. Education
Her academic path began at Seoul Banpo Elementary School, followed by Sehwa Girls' Middle School and Sehwa Girls' High School. She went on to graduate from Dongguk University, where she majored in Theater and Film. During her university years, she was a classmate of notable actresses Go Hyun-jung and Kim Jung-nan.
2. Personal Life
Lee Mi-yeon's personal life includes a publicly known marriage and subsequent divorce from a fellow actor.
In 1995, Lee Mi-yeon married actor Kim Seung-woo. However, their marriage concluded in 2000, after five years. The couple did not have any children.
3. Career
Lee Mi-yeon's career showcases a remarkable progression from a beloved teen icon to a critically acclaimed actress, marked by diverse roles across film and television.
3.1. Debut and Early Career
Lee Mi-yeon officially began her acting career in 1988 with her debut in the KBS drama Joy of Love. She gained significant public attention and established a fresh, pure image through her portrayal of a humble, innocent student in the second season of the family drama Tree Blooming with Love. Her early success quickly propelled her into the spotlight as a high-teen star in the late 1980s, solidified by her consecutive appearances in hit films such as Happiness Does Not Come In Grades (1989) and Well, Let's Look at the Sky Sometimes (1990). In 1991, she ventured into adult roles with her performance in the drama West Wind. A critically noted early role was her portrayal of Yoo-mi, a character who leads men to ruin, in the 1992 MBC drama Outside the Window, the Sun Shone. By the mid-1990s, she primarily focused her efforts on film. After a three-year hiatus from television dramas, she made her comeback in 1999 with the one-act drama Love Story: Open Ended.
3.2. Filmography
Lee Mi-yeon has appeared in numerous feature films, showcasing her range across various genres.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Happiness Does Not Come In Grades | Lee Eun-joo | |
| 1990 | Well, Let's Look at the Sky Sometimes | Hye-joo | |
| 1991 | Autumn Journey | So-yeon | |
| 1991 | Do You Like Afternoons After the Rain? | Eun-chae | |
| 1992 | Snow Flower | Yoo Da-mi | |
| 1993 | I Will Survive | Sug-young | |
| 1995 | Go Alone Like Musso's Horn | Young-sun | |
| 1997 | No. 3 | Hyun-ji | |
| 1997 | Motel Cactus | Min Hee-soo | |
| 1998 | Whispering Corridors | Hur Eun-young | |
| 1999 | The Harmonium in My Memory | Yang Eun-hee | |
| 2000 | Love Bakery | Lee Hae-sook | |
| 2000 | Pisces | Ae-ryun | |
| 2001 | Indian Summer | Lee Shin-young | |
| 2001 | The Last Witness (흑수선Black Water LilyKorean) | Son Ji-hye | |
| 2002 | Fun Movie | Actress at the airport | Cameo |
| 2002 | Addicted | Heo Eun-soo | |
| 2005 | Typhoon | Choi Myeong-ju | |
| 2007 | Love Exposure (어깨너머의 연인Shoulder-over LoverKorean) | Seo Jeong-wan | |
| 2012 | A Company Man | Yoo Mi-yeon | |
| 2015 | Women, Men - That's not it | Short film | |
| 2016 | Like for Likes | Jo Kyung-ah |
3.3. Television Dramas
Lee Mi-yeon has maintained a significant presence in television, taking on diverse characters across various networks.
| Year | Network | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | KBS1 | Joy of Love | ||
| 1989 | KBS1 | Joy of Love | ||
| 1990 | KBS1 | Tree Blooming with Love | ||
| 1990 | MBC | Freezing Point | Wednesday-Thursday drama | |
| 1991 | KBS2 | West Wind | Morning drama | |
| 1991 | KBS1 | A Wall | Literary theater | |
| 1992 | KBS2 | Wind in the Forest | Ji Yoon-hee | Weekend series |
| 1992 | MBC | Outside the Window, the Sun Shone | Choi Yoo-mi | Wednesday-Thursday drama |
| 1993 | MBC | The Ways of Love | Yoo Mi-ri | Monday-Tuesday mini-series |
| 1994 | MBC | Bird, Bird, Blue Bird | Yeon-hwa | Monday-Tuesday special planning |
| 1994 | SBS | Three Men, Three Women | Oh Soon-jung | Monday-Tuesday drama |
| 1994 | SBS | What We Want from a Woman | One-act drama | |
| 1996 | MBC | Why Not Divorce | Seo Hee-jae | Wednesday-Thursday drama |
| 1999 | SBS | Love Story: Open Ended | Ji-yeon | Wednesday-Thursday drama special |
| 2001 | KBS2 | Empress Myeongseong | Empress Myeongseong (younger) | Wednesday-Thursday special planning; episodes 1, 10-81; she gained significant public recognition for her charismatic portrayal of the young Empress Myeongseong, coining the famous line, "I am the Empress of Joseon." |
| 2002 | ||||
| 2007 | SBS | Crazy in Love | Seo Jin-young | Weekend special planning; despite high expectations, the drama did not achieve commercial success. |
| 2010 | KBS1 | The Great Merchant | Kim Man-deok | Weekend special planning; a role that further solidified her image as an actress capable of portraying strong, independent women. However, the series did not garner a strong audience response. |
| 2015 | tvN | Reply 1988 | Older Sung Deok-sun | Special appearance; her portrayal of the adult version of the main character was highly praised by viewers. |
3.4. Other Media Appearances
Beyond her major film and television roles, Lee Mi-yeon has participated in various other media, including television programs, music videos, and theatrical performances.
3.4.1. Television Shows
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | River Music Festival | Co-host with Lee Soo-man |
| 1991 | Stage of Friendship | |
| 1992 | Pleasant World | |
| 1992-1993 | Saturday Saturday Is Fun | Co-host with Kwon In-ha |
| 1992 | Global Video Music - Star Talk | Guest |
| 1994 | Two Men Show, Let's Meet Two Men | |
| 1995 | Jeon Yeong-ho's Deep Night Show | |
| 1996 | Hit Prediction Advertising Era | |
| 1996 | Heo Su-kyung and Two People | |
| 1997 | Lee Hong-ryeol Show - Cooking Talk Cham Cham Cham | |
| 1997 | Lee Hong-ryeol Show - Invited Guest | |
| 1998 | Exclusive Women | |
| 1998 | Lee Seung-yeon's Say Say Say - Close-up Talk | |
| 1999 | Kim Hye-soo's Plus You - Real Talk | |
| 2001 | Lee So-ra's Propose | Guest |
| 2007 | Golden Fishery - The Guru Show | Episode 35 |
| 2009 | Park Joong-hoon Show Korea Sunday Night | Guest for the final episode |
| 2013 | Sisters Over Flowers | Cast member |
3.4.2. Music Video Appearances
| Year | Song title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | "To the Next Person" | Jo Sung-mo |
| 2001 | "If I Leave" | Sumi Jo |
| 2007 | "I Love You Even Though I Hate You" | Davichi |
3.4.3. Theater
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Faust | Gretchen |
3.4.4. Album Covers
Lee Mi-yeon has also appeared as a model for album covers.
- 90 Love Story (1990)
- Lee Mi-yeon's Sonata (2001)
4. Discography
Lee Mi-yeon's discography includes compilation albums where she participated.
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 90 Love Story | Talk song album cover model |
| 2001 | Lee Mi-yeon's Sonata | Compilation album; recorded massive sales of 1.66 million units, making it one of the best-selling compilation albums of its time. |
5. Awards and Nominations
Lee Mi-yeon has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career, acknowledging her significant contributions to the South Korean entertainment industry.
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Miss Lotte Pageant | 1st Place | - | Won |
| 1990 | 26th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best New Actress (Film) | Happiness Does Not Come In Grades | Won |
| 1990 | 28th Grand Bell Awards | Best New Actress | Won | |
| 1990 | 10th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | Best New Actress | Won | |
| 1990 | KBS Drama Awards | Best New Actress | Tree Blooming with Love | Won |
| 1993 | 31st Grand Bell Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Snow Flower | Won |
| 1999 | 36th Grand Bell Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Whispering Corridors | Won |
| 1999 | 20th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | The Harmonium in My Memory | Won |
| 2000 | 37th Grand Bell Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won | |
| 2000 | 21st Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Leading Actress | Pisces | Won |
| 2000 | 3rd Director's Cut Awards | Best Actress | Won | |
| 2000 | Cine 21 Awards | Best Actress | Won | |
| 2001 | 38th Grand Bell Awards | Best Actress | Indian Summer | Won |
| 2001 | 22nd Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Leading Actress | Nominated | |
| 2001 | 22nd Blue Dragon Film Awards | Popular Star Award | Indian Summer | Won |
| 2001 | KBS Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actress | Empress Myeongseong | Won |
| 2002 | 38th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actress (TV) | Won | |
| 2002 | Savings Day | Presidential Commendation | - | Won |
| 2002 | 23rd Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Leading Actress | Addicted | Nominated |
| 2003 | 1st Andre Kim Best Star Awards | Female Star Award | - | Won |
| 2003 | 2003 Korea Advertisers Association Awards | Best Model Chosen by Advertisers | - | Won |
| 2003 | 40th Grand Bell Awards | Best Actress | Addicted | Won |
| 2004 | 41st Grand Bell Awards | Best Dressed | - | Won |
| 2006 | 20th Golden Cinematography Awards | Special Jury Prize | Typhoon | Won |
| 2007 | 3rd Andre Kim Best Star Awards | Female Star Award | - | Won |
| 2007 | SBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama | Crazy in Love | Nominated |
| 2008 | 16th Chunsa Film Art Awards | Best Actress | Love Exposure | Won |
| 2010 | 3rd Korea Drama Awards | Best Actress | The Great Merchant | Nominated |
| 2010 | KBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama | Nominated |
6. Advertising and Endorsements
Lee Mi-yeon has been a sought-after figure in the advertising industry, endorsing a wide range of products and brands throughout her career.
| Company | Brand (Type) |
|---|---|
| Amorepacific | Hanyul |
| Enprani | Retinoate |
| Hyundai Home Shopping | Corporate PR |
| Amorepacific | Ryeo |
| Doosan Construction | We've |
| Dongsuh Foods | Maxim Mocha Gold |
| Sansachun | Corporate PR |
| Gukmin Gwangwang (National Tourism) | Corporate PR |
| Hankook Cosmetics | A3F[on] |
| Dayou Winia | Winia Dimchae |
| Winia Air Conditioner | |
| LG Household & Health Care | Letem |
| Orion | Haute |
| Internet Shopping Samsung Mall | Corporate PR |
| Pigeon | Corporate PR, Mugyun Muttae, Pigeon Wrinkle Free, Pyo Saekje Paracryl |
| KB Insurance | Corporate PR |
| LG Uplus | 019 PCS |
| Evas Cosmetics | Corporate PR |
| Club Monaco | Print Advertisement |
| Lotte Confectionery | Ghana Chocolate |
| Ilhwa | McCOL |
| LG Household & Health Care | Aloe Soap |
| Lotte Confectionery | Lotte Gum |
| Hanshin Engineering & Construction | Print Advertisement |
| Indi-F | Compagnia |
| Unilever Korea | Lux Super Rich |
| SK Networks Speedmate | Corporate PR |
| Evas Cosmetics | Milk Shambard |
| Lotte Confectionery | No Time Gum |
| Lotte Confectionery | Burujin Candy |
| Oriri Cosmetics | Finish Up Covermark |
| LG Fire & Marine Insurance | |
| KB Insurance | Magic Car |
| BYC | Amie |
| BYC | Corporate PR |
| Evas Cosmetics | Evas Time |
7. Other Roles and Activities
In addition to her acting career, Lee Mi-yeon has engaged in other professional activities, contributing to the film industry in different capacities.
In 2007, Lee Mi-yeon served as a jury member for the 5th Asiana International Short Film Festival.