Lee Seung-yeon

Lee Seung-yeon graduated from Inha Technical College in Incheon with a degree in Airline Navigation, and became a flight attendant for Korean Air. In 1992, she joined and won third place in the Miss Korea beauty pageant.{{cite web|script-title=ko:이승연 (1992 미스코리아 미)|url=http://misskorea.hankooki.com/profile_view.php?year_miss=1992&miss_num=29&indexid=988|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130426134328/http://misskorea.hankooki.com/profile_view.php?year_miss=1992&miss_num=29&indexid=988|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 26, 2013|website=Miss Korea - Hankook Ilbo|access-date=2013-07-25|language=ko}} She was South Korea's representative to the 1993 Miss World pageant, where she became one of the top ten finalists.

Shortly after the pageant, Lee became a reporter for entertainment news program Scoop TV Entertainment, then launched her acting career in 1993 with the campus drama Our Paradise. She appeared in 1990s television dramas such as Love Is in Your Embrace, Hotel, Icing, Wedding Dress, and First Love, the last of which became the most highly rated Korean drama of all time with a peak viewership rating of 65.8%. She also made her big screen debut in 1996's Piano Man, followed by the films Change and Saturday, 2:00 p.m.. Lee's popularity was at its peak during these years, and in 1998 she hosted her own talk show Lee Seung-yeon's Say Say Say. With her sophisticated and cosmopolitan image, the clothes and accessories she wore became fashion trends, such as her blue-colored contact lenses in Spider, her head kerchief in Cinderella, and her black suit in Man of Autumn.{{cite web|script-title=ko:스타탐구: 도시미인 '이승연'|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=114&oid=042&aid=0000000021|work=Naver|language=ko|access-date=2013-07-26|date=19 June 2003}}

Capitalizing on her image as a trendsetter, she launched her own clothing line About el in 2007, which became a hit among consumers.{{cite web|last=Han|first=Jane|title=Celeb Brands: Express Ticket to Home Shopping Success|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/08/123_7394.html|work=The Korea Times|access-date=2013-07-26|date=30 July 2007}} This paved the way for Lee's first talk show in eight years, Style Magazine on cable channel OnStyle. Though she continues to act, Lee has become more known in recent years for hosting various style-related talk shows on cable.

In May 1998, Lee was found to have illegally obtained a driver's license without going through the requisite tests and seminars. She was sentenced to one year's probation and 80 hours of community service.{{cite web|script-title=ko:인기 탤런트 이승연 운전면허 부정 취득|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=001&aid=0004289219|work=Naver|language=ko|access-date=2013-07-26|date=30 July 1998}}{{cite web|script-title=ko:알만한 사람은 다 아는 강호동-이승연 루머 "내 타입 아닌데‥"|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=106&oid=015&aid=0000961652|work=Naver|language=ko|access-date=2013-07-26|date=10 May 2007}} Because of public disapproval regarding the incident, her drama Heart of Lies was cut short,{{cite web|script-title=ko:탤런트 이승연, SBS '이승연의...' 진행 중단|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=103&oid=001&aid=0004329927|work=Naver|language=ko|access-date=2013-07-26|date=25 August 1998}} and she lost roles she had been previously cast in to Yoo Ho-jeong (Trap of Youth) and Lee Young-ae (Invitation).{{cite web|script-title=ko:스타인터뷰: 이승연 '서른 넷, 새로운 도전'|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=106&oid=020&aid=0000111763|work=Naver|language=ko|access-date=2013-07-26|date=5 February 2002}}{{cite web|script-title=ko:탤런트 이승연 결국 드라마복귀 포기|url=https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/001/0004469312?sid=103|work=Naver|language=ko|access-date=5 December 2024|date=23 August 1999|archive-date=5 December 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205023613/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/001/0004469312?sid=103}}

In April 2002, Lee was implicated in a hit and run because she owned the vehicle driven by Kim Mo-sshi, son of celebrity Jang Young-ja.{{cite web|script-title=ko:이승연 방송에서 퇴출되나|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=106&oid=016&aid=0000125883|work=Naver|language=ko|access-date=2013-07-26|date=14 February 2004}}{{cite web|script-title=ko:여자에게: 다 이승연씨 덕분입니다|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=001&oid=032&aid=0000053368|work=Naver|language=ko|access-date=2013-07-26|date=16 February 2006}} Since her costar Lee Geung-young was also being investigated at the time for having sex with a minor, both scandals caused their film Forgive Me Once Again Despite Hatred (also known as Love Me Once Again 2002 or Again) to flop at the box office.{{cite web|script-title=ko:이경영 주연 '미워도...' 예정대로 개봉|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=106&oid=001&aid=0000168268|work=Naver|language=ko|access-date=2013-07-26|date=15 May 2002}}

On February 12, 2004 Lee, and companies Lototo Inc. and Netian Entertainment held a press conference to announce their plan to sell erotic photographs and videos of Lee posing as a comfort woman over the Internet, starting in March. "Comfort women" is the Japanese term for women who were forced to serve as their armies' sex slaves during World War II. The first part of the project was shot on Palau Island in the Pacific, where real comfort women were taken, with the next phases planned in Nepal and Japan. They declared they did this to return the issue to the spotlight and that part of the profits would go to surviving comfort women. A few photographs were released, showing a semi-nude Lee bathing in the sea, sleeping on the floor, and wearing somewhat revealing white clothes, with dirt on her face.{{cite web|title=Nudity, Profits Anger Surviving Comfort Women|url=https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2004/02/12/HY5WMQU4G6HDAYLVQDLCHAEO5I/|website=The Chosun Ilbo|date=February 12, 2004|access-date=2013-07-26|archive-date=2013-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721161247/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2004/02/12/2004021261025.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Jin-yeong|title=Comfort Woman-Themed Nude Pictures of Actress Stirs Controversy|url=http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=040000&biid=2004021466298|work=The Dong-A Ilbo|access-date=2013-07-26|date=13 February 2004}}

This caused a great outcry from the surviving comfort women and the Korean Council for Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan. A press conference to announce the project's cancellation was held on February 16.{{cite web|title=Comfort Women Nude Project Suspended|url=https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2004/02/16/PLB57N2KZJKPHY4W2IFNOR6I3E/|website=The Chosun Ilbo|date=February 16, 2004|access-date=2013-07-26|archive-date=2012-11-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145730/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2004/02/16/2004021661007.html|url-status=live}} Following the cancellation, Lee tearfully made a personal apology on her knees at the House of Sharing, a residence for some of the survivors.{{cite web|script-title=ko:'종군위안부 누드' 파문의 중심에 선 이승연|url=http://woman.donga.com/docs/magazine/woman/2004/03/04/200403040500001/200403040500001_1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710143841/http://woman.donga.com/docs/magazine/woman/2004/03/04/200403040500001/200403040500001_1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 10, 2011|work=Woman DongA|language=ko|access-date=2013-07-26|date=4 March 2004}} The women rejected her apology until the materials were destroyed, something the producer was hesitant to do. The producer further proposed a preview screening to obtain public approval for the project—they had 1 hour and a half of video and about 1,500-2,000 photos.{{cite web|title=Netian Proposes Preview of Comfort Women Nude Video, Photos|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2004/02/18/2004021861005.html|website=The Chosun Ilbo|date=February 18, 2004|access-date=2013-07-26|archive-date=2013-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721091425/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2004/02/18/2004021861005.html|url-status=live}} Finally on February 19, he shaved his head (in a traditional gesture of apology) and publicly burned the materials in front of some of the surviving comfort women.{{cite web|title=Incineration of Lee Seung-yeon's Nude Picture|url=http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2004022040298&path_dir=20040220|work=The Dong-A Ilbo|access-date=2013-07-26|date=19 February 2004}}

Disregarding feminist criticisms of her casting, Kim Ki-duk directed Lee in the 2004 film 3-Iron. A love story between a battered woman and a younger man who lives in empty houses, Lee and costar Jae Hee's acting were praised, and Kim won Best Director at the 61st Venice International Film Festival.{{cite web|title=Criticized at Home, Kim Ki-duk Proves his Worth Internationally|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2004/09/12/2004091261032.html|work=The Chosun Ilbo|access-date=2013-07-26|date=12 September 2004|archive-date=2012-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113224902/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2004/09/12/2004091261032.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Kim|first1=Gab-sik|last2=Kim|first2=Jung-hun|title=Director Kim Ki-duk Wins Silver Lion For Empty House At Venice|url=http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=040000&biid=2004091378238|work=The Dong-A Ilbo|access-date=2013-07-26|date=12 September 2004}}

Despite the acclaim for 3-Iron, the comfort women controversy had a lasting negative effect on Lee's career, and it would take two more years before she made her acting comeback in Kim Soo-hyun's Love and Ambition in 2006.

In 2013, she became involved in another controversy when she was indicted for illegal use of the drug propofol. Cable channel Story On cancelled her talk show Lee Seung-yeon and 100 Women as a result.{{cite web|last=Sunwoo|first=Carla|title=TV show pulled after drug charge|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2966102|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|access-date=2013-07-26|date=26 January 2013}} Lee admitted taking propofol, but said it was legally prescribed by her doctor to treat a spinal fracture diagnosed in 2003, and that it was also administered to her as an anesthetic at skin care clinics.{{cite web|last1=Lee|first1=Jin-ho|last2=Park|first2=Hyun-min|title=Jang Mi In Ae and Lee Seung Yeon Officially Deny Propofol Suspicions|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/27351|work=enewsWorld|access-date=2013-07-26|date=24 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102091820/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/27351|archive-date=2 November 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Kang|first=Hyun-kyung|title=Actresses deny abuse of propofol|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2013/03/116_132727.html|work=The Korea Times|access-date=2013-07-26|date=25 March 2013|archive-date=2013-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728234459/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2013/03/116_132727.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Stars in Court Over Michael Jackson Killer Drug|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2013/03/26/2013032601194.html|work=The Chosun Ilbo|access-date=2013-07-26|date=26 March 2013|archive-date=2013-09-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922101136/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2013/03/26/2013032601194.html|url-status=live}} The Seoul Central District Court found Lee guilty of taking propofol at least 320 times over six years (or 4.5 times a month), and she was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years.{{cite web|last=Lee |first=Cory |title=Park Si-yeon, Lee Seung-yeon, Jang Mi In Ae Sentenced Imprisonment for Propofol Misuse |url=http://www.tenasia.com/archives/74932 |work=10Asia |access-date=2014-01-24 |date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102113537/http://www.tenasia.com/archives/74932 |archivedate= 2 November 2013 }}{{cite web|title=Actresses Given Suspended Sentences in Propofol Scandal|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2013/11/26/2013112600727.html|work=The Chosun Ilbo|access-date=2014-01-24|date=26 November 2013|archive-date=2013-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203014824/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2013/11/26/2013112600727.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=TV actresses get suspended jail terms for drug abuse|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturesports/2013/11/25/11/0701000000AEN20131125004700315F.html|work=Yonhap|access-date=2014-01-24|date=25 November 2013|archive-date=2013-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203000948/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturesports/2013/11/25/11/0701000000AEN20131125004700315F.html|url-status=live}} Tongyang Group later sued Lee for breach of contract; she had signed a one-year {{SK won|450 million}} advertising contract with the company's apparel division in 2012, which stipulated that she must not break the law or commit acts that harm the brand's image. The court ordered Lee to pay {{SK won|100 million}} in 2015.{{cite web|title=Actress Ordered to Compensate Advertiser|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2015/01/23/2015012301415.html|website=The Chosun Ilbo|access-date=2015-01-23|date=23 January 2015}}

Lee married Kim Moon-chul, a Korean-American fashion entrepreneur, on December 28, 2007 at Sol Beach Resort in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province.{{cite web|last=Kwon|first=Mee-yoo|title=Actress Lee Seung-yeon to Wed|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/11/201_14269.html|work=The Korea Times|access-date=2013-07-26|date=23 November 2007|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035118/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/11/201_14269.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Chung|first=Ah-young|title=Actress Lee Seung-yeon Weds Businessman|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/12/135_16369.html|work=The Korea Times|access-date=2013-07-26|date=28 December 2007|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041104/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/12/135_16369.html|url-status=live}} She gave birth to a daughter in June 2009.{{cite web|title=Lee Seung-yeon on TV after her first child|url=http://www.hancinema.net/chanmi-s-star-news-lee-seung-yeon-on-tv-after-her-first-child-21095.html|work=Hancinema|access-date=2013-07-26|date=17 October 2009|archive-date=2020-02-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201081732/https://www.hancinema.net/chanmi-s-star-news-lee-seung-yeon-on-tv-after-her-first-child-21095.html|url-status=live}}

• The Secret House (MBC, 2022)
• Left-Handed Wife (KBS2, 2018)
• The Rich Son (MBC, 2018){{cite news|last=Kim|first=Yoon-ji|script-title=ko:[단독]이승연, MBC '부잣집 아들'로 6년만에 지상파 복귀|url=http://www.edaily.co.kr/news/news_detail.asp?newsId=01138166619080672&mediaCodeNo=258|access-date=January 27, 2018|work=Edaily|date=January 23, 2018|language=ko|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142122/http://www.edaily.co.kr/news/news_detail.asp?newsId=01138166619080672&mediaCodeNo=258|url-status=dead}}
• Schoolgirl Detectives (jTBC, 2014–2015)
• The Great Seer (SBS, 2012–2013)
• Happy Ending (jTBC, 2012)
• The Scarlet Letter (MBC, 2010–2011)
• Moon Hee (2007)
• Love and Ambition (2006)
• Perfect Love (SBS, 2003)
• Who's My Love (KBS2, 2002)
• Man of Autumn (MBC, 2001)
• Oriental Theater (KBS2, 2001)
• Three Friends (MBC, 2000) (guest appearance)
• Medical Center (MBC, 2000–2001)
• Legends of Love (SBS, 2000)
• Love Story (SBS, 1999, episode 1 "Sunflower")
• Did You Ever Love? (KBS2, 1999–2000)
• Heart of Lies (MBC, 1998)
• Wedding Dress (KBS2, 1997–1998)
• Ready Go! (MBC, 1997) (guest appearance)
• Cinderella (MBC, 1997)
• First Love (KBS2, 1996–1997)
• Icing (MBC, 1996)
• Spider (MBC, 1995)
• Hotel (MBC, 1995)
• Sandglass (SBS, 1995)
• Friday's Woman - Heaven Without Angels (KBS2, 1994)
• Last Lovers (MBC, 1994)
• Love is in Your Embrace (MBC, 1994)
• Police (KBS2, 1994)
• Morning Glory (MBC, 1993)
• Our Paradise (MBC, 1993)

• 3-Iron (2004)
• Again (2002)
• Saturday, 2:00 p.m. (1998)
• Change (1997)
• Piano Man (1996)

• Super Diva 2012 (tvN, 2012)
• Lee Seung-yeon and 100 Women (Story On, 2011–2013)
• MBC Prime - 한식의 세계화, 양념에 그 길을 묻다 (MBC, 2010) (narration)
• Lee Seung-yeon and Lee Soo-geun's Kitchen Road (TrendE, 2010)
• Talk & City 4 (Story On, 2010)
• Super Mom Diary (Story On, 2009)
• Design's Era of Success (SBS, 2008)
• Goddess of the Wind II Survival Report (tvN, 2008)
• Style Magazine (OnStyle, 2006)
• TV Entertainment Tonight (SBS, 2000)
• Lee Seung-yeon's Say Say Say (SBS, 1998)
• Summer Go Go (KBS, 1993)
• 밤으로 가는 Show (KBS, 1993)
• Youth Sketch (KBS, 1993)
• Saturday Saturday Is Fun (MBC, 1993–1995)
• Scoop TV Entertainment (MBC, 1992)
• 신 전국일주 (KBS, 1992)

• Hotel Africa (MBC)

• Lee Seung-yeon's Cine Town (SBS Power FM, 2007–2009)
• FM Popular Song (KBS, 1994)
• FM Dating (MBC FM Radio, 1993)

• 2022 MBC Drama Awards: Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Daily/One Act Drama (The Secret House){{Cite web|script-title=ko:이종석, 'MBC 연기대상' 6년 만 대상 "20대 때와 다른 느낌" [종합]|trans-title=Lee Jong-suk, 'MBC Drama Awards' grand prize in 6 years "Feels different from when I was in my 20s" [Comprehensive]|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=469&aid=0000715868|via=Naver|publisher=Hankook Ilbo|language=ko|last=Jeong|first=Han-byul|date=December 30, 2022|access-date=December 30, 2022|archive-date=December 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230150353/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=469&aid=0000715868|url-status=live}}
• 2001 KBS Drama Awards: Popularity Award (Oriental Theater)
• 2000 SBS Drama Awards: Big Star Award (Legends of Love, Medical Center)
• 1996 32nd Baeksang Arts Awards: Most Popular Actress (TV)
• 1995 MBC Drama Awards: Excellence Award, Actress
• 1992 Miss Korea: Third Place
• 1990 Smile Queen Contest: Smile Queen

{{reflist|2}}

{{Commons category|Lee Seung-yeon}}

• {{IMDb name|1165901}}
• {{kmdb person|00000810}}
• {{HanCinema person}}

{{KBS Drama Awards for Popularity Award, Actress}}

{{Miss World 1993 delegate}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Seung-yeon}}

Category:1968 births

Category:Living people

Category:Miss World 1993 delegates

Category:Actresses from Seoul

Category:Miss Korea delegates

Category:People from Jung District, Seoul

Category:South Korean film actresses

Category:South Korean television actresses

Category:South Korean criminals

Category:21st-century South Korean actresses

Category:South Korean people convicted of drug offenses