1. Early Life and Background
Lee Pil-mo was born on June 26, 1974, in Seoul, South Korea. He is known for his physical attributes, standing at 72 in (183 cm) tall and weighing 154 lb (70 kg). His special skills include swimming, jet skiing, and horseback riding.
1.1. Education
Lee Pil-mo completed his secondary education at Sewha High School in Seoul. He then pursued higher education in the performing arts, graduating with a professional bachelor's degree from the Theater Department of Seoul Institute of the Arts. Furthering his academic pursuits, he also earned a bachelor's degree from the Theater and Film Department at Hanyang University.
2. Career
Lee Pil-mo's career spans over two decades, showcasing his talent in various acting mediums, including television dramas, films, and stage productions. He has also participated in numerous variety shows, radio programs, and commercial endorsements, expanding his presence in the entertainment industry. He is represented by PS Entertainment.
2.1. Television Series
Lee Pil-mo has had an extensive career in television, appearing in a wide range of dramas across major South Korean broadcasting networks.
| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | My Name Is Princess | MBC | ||
| 2003 | Dae Jang Geum | MBC | ||
| 2003 | Sister-in-Law and Brother-in-Law | Choi Seung-woo | KBS2 | |
| 2003 | MBC Best Theater: Love... Stands on the Slopes | Ahn Seung-woo | MBC | |
| 2004 | Sweet 18 | Fiance | KBS2 | |
| 2004 | Drama City: Everybody, Cha Cha Cha | Lee Dong-joon | KBS2 | |
| 2004 | Drama City: Go Go Wedding Night | Kang Bong-soo | KBS2 | |
| 2005 | MBC Best Theater: The Taste of Others | Seo Yoo-jin | MBC | |
| 2005 | The King of Headbutts | Doctor | SBS | |
| 2005 | Drama City: Shocking Marriage | Jang Hyuk | KBS2 | |
| 2005 | Drama City: The 108 Men I've Met | Sung Jin-woo | KBS2 | |
| 2005 | As the River Flows | Park Jong-tae | KBS1 | |
| 2005 | Here Comes Ajumma | Shim Woo-chan | KBS2 | |
| 2007 | Daughters-in-Law | Jo In-woo | KBS2 | Also known as Golden Era of Daughter-in-Law |
| 2008 | You Are My Destiny | Kim Tae-young | KBS1 | |
| 2009 | My Too Perfect Sons | Song Dae-poong | KBS2 | |
| 2010 | The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry | Yoon Sang-woo | MBC | |
| 2010 | Kim Su-ro, The Iron King | Seok Tal-hae | MBC | |
| 2011 | I Believe in Love | Kim Woo-jin | KBS2 | Also known as My Love, My Family |
| 2011 | KBS Drama Special: Guardian Angel Kim Young-goo | Kim Young-goo (K) | KBS2 | |
| 2011 | Lights and Shadows | Cha Soo-hyuk | MBC | |
| 2014 | Emergency Couple | Gook Cheon-soo | tvN | |
| 2014-2015 | Pinocchio | Hwang Gyo-dong | SBS | |
| 2014 | My Heart Twinkle Twinkle | Jang Soon-chul | SBS | |
| 2014 | Who Are You: School 2015 | Kim Joon-seok | KBS2 | |
| 2014 | Ace | Ga Hyung-woo | SBS | |
| 2015 | Happy Home | Yoo Hyun-gi | MBC | Also known as Happy Restaurant |
| 2015 | Another Miss Oh | Park Do-kyung's father | tvN | Cameo appearance in flashback |
| 2016 | Here Comes Bok Dan-ji | Oh Min-gyu | MBC | Also known as Thorn and Honey |
| 2018 | Haechi | Han Jeong Seok | SBS | |
| 2019 | Once Again | Lee Hyun | KBS2 | |
| 2021 | The King's Affection | Ye-jong / Hyejong | KBS2 | |
| 2023 | Destined With You | Jang Se-heon | JTBC | |
| 2025 | Please Take Care of the Eagle Brothers | Oh Jang-soo | KBS2 |
2.2. Web series
In addition to his television work, Lee Pil-mo has also appeared in web series.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Work Later, Drink Now | Han Ji-yeon's father | Cameo, Season 2 |
2.3. Film
Lee Pil-mo's filmography includes a range of roles from action to drama, starting in the late 1990s.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Shiri | North Korean special forces 8th corps | |
| 2003 | Arirang | Yoon Hyeon-gu | |
| 2004 | Dance with the Wind | "Handsome" (Kkotminam) | |
| 2010 | Lady Daddy | Min-kyu | |
| 2011 | Secrets, Objects | Duplicator / Homeless person | |
| 2013 | Superman Kang Bo-sang | Kang Bo-sang | |
| 2018 | Whispering Corridors 6 | Chairman Choi | |
| 2020 | The Singer | Yeongjo | Special appearance |
| 2021 | Yongru Gak 2: Night of the Gods | Oh Sung | |
| TBA | Dial Girl LEDIEE | Monster No. 17 | Short film |
2.4. Theater and Musicals
Lee Pil-mo has a rich background in stage performance, participating in numerous plays and musicals throughout his career.
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| pre-2003 | The Last Empress | |
| Oedipus | ||
| Nunsense A-Men | ||
| Strider | ||
| Dancing Dawn | ||
| Lulu | ||
| The Threepenny Opera | ||
| 2004 | Two Men | Younger brother |
| Sunday Seoul | ||
| 2007-2009 | Really Really Like You | Kang Jin-young |
| 2008 | Namhansanseong | Oh Dal-je |
| 2012-2014 | The Sound of Music | Captain Georg von Trapp |
| 2015 | Othello | Othello |
| The Seoul Moon | Kim Hong-sik | |
| 2018-2019 | The Days | Cha Jung-hak |
2.5. Variety and Radio Appearances
Lee Pil-mo has frequently appeared on variety shows and radio programs, showcasing his personality beyond his acting roles.
| Year | Title | Network | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Good Night Tonight | MBC | |
| 2008 | Sang Sang Plus Season 2 | KBS2 | Guest, episode 216 |
| 2008 | Happy Together | KBS2 | Guest, episode 92 |
| 2008 | Ya Shim Man Man Season 2: Celebrity Village | SBS | Guest, episodes 26-27 |
| 2012-2013 | Travel the World: Salaam in Morocco | MBC | 4-episode series |
| 2012-2013 | Law of the Jungle in New Zealand | SBS | Cast member |
| 2013 | Answer Me with a Song | tvN | Emergency Couple special |
| 2014 | Mystery Music Show King of Mask Singer | MBC | Contestant as "Bling Bling Happy New Year" |
| 2014 | Gong Hyung-jin's Cine Town | SBS Power FM | Radio appearance |
| 2014 | Cultwo Show | SBS Power FM | Radio appearance |
| 2015 | Park Ji-yoon's FM Date | MBC FM4U | 5-minute drama segment |
| 2015 | Kim Chang-ryul's Old School | SBS Power FM | Radio appearance |
| 2017-2018 | I Live Alone | MBC | Cast member |
| 2017-2018 | It's Dangerous Beyond the Blankets | MBC | Cast member |
| 2017-present | Taste of Love | TV Chosun | Cast member |
| 2022 | Restaurant on the Line | tvN | Episode 41 |
| 2023 | The Return of Superman | KBS2 | Reality show |
2.6. Commercials and Endorsements
Lee Pil-mo has also lent his image to various commercials and brand endorsements.
- 2002: Daewoo Electronics - "First Child"
- 2003: Korea Broadcasting Advertising Corporation - "Swamp" campaign
- 2003: E&C Construction
- 2003: Ssangyong Paper Cutie
- 2003: Daishin Securities Leaders Lab Savings Type
- 2004: HI Investment & Securities
- 2004: Rocket Power
- 2007: Pilmoa Clothing
- 2009: Lotteria - Bulsae Burger (Fire Bird Burger)
- 2010: Nonghyup Moguchon Sunjin Muga
- 2010: Nongshim - Beef Jjajangmyeon
- 2012: Greenjoy
- 2015: OK Savings Bank
2.7. Public Relations Ambassador
Lee Pil-mo has served as a goodwill ambassador for several organizations, contributing to public welfare initiatives.
- 2009: Woori Welfare Ambassador
- 2010: Milal Welfare Foundation Ambassador
3. Personal Life
Lee Pil-mo's personal life gained significant public attention, particularly his marriage journey which unfolded on a reality television show.
3.1. Marriage and Family
Lee Pil-mo married interior designer Seo Soo-yeon on February 9, 2019, in a private ceremony. The couple met and developed their relationship on the TV Chosun dating show Taste of Love, where their on-screen romance captivated viewers. Their engagement was announced in December 2018, leading to their wedding in early 2019. The wedding was attended by notable figures, including all four on-screen brothers from the 2009 KBS drama My Too Perfect Sons. Actor Son Hyun-joo hosted the ceremony, with Ji Chang-wook and Han Sang-jin also in attendance.
Lee Pil-mo and Seo Soo-yeon welcomed their first child, a son, on August 14, 2019. In February 2022, Seo Soo-yeon announced on social media that they were expecting their second child, who was due in August 2022, making them a family of four.
4. Awards and Nominations
Lee Pil-mo has received several awards and nominations throughout his acting career, recognizing his contributions to television and film.
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | KBS Drama Awards | Best New Actor | Daughters-in-Law, Here Comes Ajumma | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actor | Daughters-in-Law | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | KBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actor in a Daily Drama | You Are My Destiny | Won |
| 2009 | 7th Korea Visual Arts Festival | Photogenic Award, TV Actor category | My Too Perfect Sons | Won |
| KBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama | My Too Perfect Sons | Won | |
| Best Couple Award | My Too Perfect Sons (with Yoo Sun) | Won | ||
| 2012 | MBC Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama | Lights and Shadows | Won |
| 2015 | Seoul Social Welfare Convention | Seoul Mayor's Award | Won | |
| 2016 | 5th APAN Star Awards | Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama | Happy Home | Won |
| MBC Drama Awards | Golden Acting Award, Actor in a Soap Opera | Happy Home | Won | |
| 2017 | 24th Korea Culture & Entertainment Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama | Here Comes Bok Dan-ji | Won |
| 2023 | KBS Entertainment Awards | Newcomer Award in Reality Category | The Return of Superman | Won |