Lee Hee-joon (born June 29, 1979) is a South Korean actor.^[2]

Lee began his theater career by working as the youngest member of the Daegu theater company 'Onnuri' for approximately 2 years and 6 months. Instead of being an actor, his role within the troupe involved tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and putting up posters. Lee independently studied and followed Stanislavsky's book 'Actor's Class'. Later on, he developed a strong desire to receive formal acting training, which led him to drop out of the chemical engineering department at Yeungnam University and enroll in Korea National University of Arts (Hanyejong) with the aspiration of becoming an actor.^[3]

Lee Hee-jun embarked on his acting career in 1999 with the play 'Tourist Zone.' In 2005, he further showcased his talent by appearing in the musical 'Lee.' He continued to hone his acting skills through various projects, including notable works like 'The King and the Clown' and the 2007 play 'Byun.' In 2009, he further enriched his repertoire with performances in 'Melodrama' and 'There in Chuncheon.'^[4]

Lee Hee-jun has recently showcased the acting experience he accumulated through his involvement in musicals and theater productions, transitioning to the screen and television. He made a notable appearance in the 2007 film 'Secret Sunshine,' portraying a minor character that garnered attention due to his captivating presence. Subsequently, he actively pursued supporting roles, featuring in films such as 'The Predators' (2009), 'Unfair Trade' (2010), 'Yellow Sea' (2010), 'Heart is Beating' (2011), 'Special Edition' (2012), and 'Detective Cha' (2012).^[4]

Lee Hee-jun gained recognition through the KBS2 drama special 'Texas Hits' in 2010, where he portrayed a gangster running a gambling site and impressed viewers with his acting. At the time, he was called a 'star of one-act plays'.^[4]

After that, he appeared in drama serial series 'Perfect Spy'. At the press conference for 'Perfect Spy', actor Son Hyun-joo praised Lee Hee-jun, saying, "He will become a star like Song Sae-byeok." He was recognized for his excellent acting skills even before gaining popularity.^[4]

After 'Perfect Spy', Lee Hee-jun appeared in 'Cupid Factory' where he portrayed the character of So-jun, a composer who struggled to write a song due to a lack of dating experience. Despite the absurd premise of purchasing a machine at 'Cupid Factory' to make oneself fall in love, Lee Hee-jun portrayed the character effortlessly, creating an engaging story that was well received by viewers. He emerged as a promising actor discovered by the KBS drama department.^[4]

In 2012, Lee Hee-jun then appeared in KBS hit drama My Husband Got a Family, where he portrayed the role of Cheon Jae-yong, a charming and innocent man.^[5] His presence in the drama played a significant role in shaping his career, contributing to his current success, and gaining public awareness and popularity.^[4]

Lee joined the theater company 'Ganda Performance Delivery Service' as an early member. The company was formed by friends who collaborated on creative projects while attending Korea National University of Arts, with CEO Min Jun-ho at the forefront. Jin Seon-kyu, was also part of the company in its early stages.^[3]

Lee later appeared in several works including 'Jeon Woo-chi', 'God of the Workplace', 'Yuna's Street', 'Mistress', and the movies 'Sea Fog', '1987', 'Miss Baek', and 'Namsan Managers'. In each of these works, he showcased a high level of character immersion, transcending both the small and big screens. As a result, he was reborn as a 'trustworthy actor'.^[5]

Lee Hee-joon and model Lee Hye-jung confirmed their relationship in August 2015. They registered their marriage prior to the ceremony and had their private wedding ceremony in a wedding hall in Yongsan, Seoul on April 23, 2016.^[6]