Lee Min-jung: Biography, Marriage, Children & Career Facts

There’s something quietly remarkable about an actress who holds her own under two spotlights — one for her craft, the other for the public’s intense curiosity about her marriage to one of South Korea’s most famous actors. Lee Min-jung stepped onto the stage in 2004 and within five years became a household name through the K-drama phenomenon Boys Over Flowers.

Full name: Lee Min-jung · Born: February 16, 1982 · Marriage: Lee Byung-hun (2013–present) · Children: 1 son (born 2015) · Debut: 2004 stage play · Notable work: Boys Over Flowers (2009), Cyrano Agency (2010)

Eight facts about Lee Min-jung, one pattern: her life orbits two poles — a steady acting career and a high-profile marriage that rarely stays out of the headlines.

The pattern is clear: her public identity is split between a respected filmography and a marriage that fuels constant tabloid interest.

Are Lee Min Jung and Lee Byung-hun still married?

Timeline of their marriage

Lee Min-jung married Lee Byung-hun on August 10, 2013, at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in a private ceremony Wikipedia (encyclopedic database). The couple had dated briefly in 2006 — Lee Min-jung was 25 and not ready for marriage when Lee Byung-hun proposed during an overseas shoot — but they broke up and rekindled in 2012 Gulf News (Dubai-based newspaper). Since their wedding, no divorce has been announced, and they have attended public events together as recently as 2023.

Public statements about their relationship

Both have dismissed rumors of marital strife. In a 2018 interview, Lee Min-jung said: “I cried a lot at first because I felt pressured, but now I’m grateful.” The couple continues to live together in Seoul with their two children.

“I cried a lot at first because I felt pressured, but now I’m grateful.”

Lee Min-jung in a 2018 interview

How did Lee Min Jung become famous?

Early career and stage work

She began her career in a stage play directed by Jang Jin in 2004 Wikipedia (encyclopedic database). Over the next few years, she took supporting roles in films and television, slowly building her reputation.

Breakthrough role in Boys Over Flowers

In 2009, Lee was cast as Eun Jae-kyung in the iconic K-drama Boys Over Flowers, a role that turned her into a household name across Asia Wikipedia (encyclopedic database). The series was a ratings juggernaut and is still widely streamed.

Subsequent film and TV success

She won Best New Actress at the Blue Dragon Film Awards for her performance in Cyrano Agency (2010) Wikipedia (encyclopedic database). Later lead roles in Smile, You (2009), Midas (2011), Big (2012), All About My Romance (2013), Cunning Single Lady (2014), and the weekend drama Once Again (2020) cemented her versatility.

What are the accusations against Lee Byung-hun?

Extortion scandal (2014–2015)

In 2014, Lee Byung-hun was blackmailed by two individuals who threatened to release compromising videos. He filed a police report, and the suspects were convicted and sentenced Gulf News (Dubai-based newspaper). Lee Byung-hun himself stated: “I will not tolerate any illegal acts against my family.”

Other allegations and legal outcomes

Rumors of infidelity have circulated, but no verified evidence has ever been made public. Both Lee Byung-hun and his agency have consistently denied these claims Gulf News (Dubai-based newspaper).

“I will not tolerate any illegal acts against my family.”

Lee Byung-hun’s official statement (2015)

Do Lee Min Jung and Lee Byung-hun have children together?

Their son

Their first child, a son named Lee Joon-hoo, was born on March 31, 2015 Wikipedia (encyclopedic database). Agencies confirmed at the time: “Both mother and baby healthy; couple will build happy family” Gulf News (Dubai-based newspaper).

Family life and parenting

In August 2023, Lee Min-jung announced her second pregnancy Wikipedia (encyclopedic database). She gave birth to a daughter on December 21, 2023 Wikipedia (encyclopedic database). In a 2025 video, she revealed she “gave birth December the year before last” and had to work instead of resting Allkpop (K-pop and Korean entertainment news). She also shared that her son was initially upset after the new baby and that she threw him a March birthday party with 22 boys.

Did Lee Byung-hun grow up rich?

Lee Byung-hun’s family background

Lee Byung-hun’s father was a businessman Gulf News (Dubai-based newspaper), which gave him a comfortable upbringing compared to many in the industry. He attended Hanyang University, where he studied French literature before turning to acting. He became a top actor early in his career, long before his wealth became a public topic.

His education and early career

He made his acting debut in 1991 and rose to superstardom in the late 1990s with hits like Joint Security Area and A Bittersweet Life. By the time he married Lee Min-jung, he was already one of Korea’s most bankable stars.

Lee Min-jung has built a career that any Korean actress would envy — three major award nominations, a decade-long lead in high-profile dramas, and a personal life that the public can’t stop watching. But the spotlight has always been double-edged. For Lee Min-jung, the choice between returning to the screen and focusing on her growing family is clear: she will act again when roles feel meaningful, but her children come first.

Frequently asked questions