Lee Tae-ran

Lee Tae-ran was born in Seoul on 25 March 1975. She is the second of two daughters. Lee moved to Seoul as a child. After graduating from Haeseong International Convention High School, she worked in a company for three years and supported herself with part-time jobs at a cafe in Myeong-dong or a Japanese restaurant in Daehangno.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201401302111033110|author=박지련|script-title=ko:이태란 "연예계 데뷔전 3년간 회사다녔다" |access-date= 1 February 2014|date= 30 January 2014|publisher=newsen.com.|language=ko}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ykikii.com/magazine/tag/572|script-title=ko:저도 아침편지 가족입니다 탤런트 이태란|access-date=6 December 2012|language=ko|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219030232/http://www.ykikii.com/magazine/tag/572|archivedate=19 February 2014}} Lee once expressed her sadness at being a mere high school graduate in a television show. In 2008, she enrolled as a theatre and film student in the College of Art in Hanyang University.{{cite web|url=http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2008022810351699187|author=강승훈|script-title=ko:이태란, 15년만에 대학생.. 한양대로 확정 |access-date= 17 June 2013|date= 28 February 2008|publisher=asiae.co.kr.|language=ko}}

Lee was discovered by an agent while doing part-time jobs. She had a small role in the SBS drama The Brothers' River, marking her TV debut. Lee next entered the 1997 SBS Top Talent Competition after a friend's suggestion and won the Grand Prize.{{cite web|url=http://movie.daum.net/movieperson/Summary.do?personId=15560|title= Profile|access-date= 6 December 2012|language=ko}} She has since appeared in many television dramas in the late 1990s, such as Fascinate My Heart, Goodbye My Love, Days of Delight and Soonpoong Clinic. For her performance in Fascinate My Heart and Days of Delight, she was honoured with 1998 SBS New Star Award and 1999 MBC New Star Award respectively.

By the early 2000s, Lee's career was gaining momentum. In 2002, she received KBS Excellence in Acting Award for her portrayal of the bubbly model Lee Ha-na in the romantic comedy Who's My Love. The following year, she landed a lead role in the well-received drama Yellow Handkerchief, co-starring Jo Min-ki. Lee received her first KBS Top Excellence in Acting Award for her portrayal of Yoon Ja-young, a designer who was dumped by her boyfriend of ten years and raised a child alone.{{cite web|url=http://www.kbs.co.kr/drama/2009award/redcarpet/2003.html|title= 2003 KBS Drama Awards - Winners List|access-date= 16 May 2014|publisher=KBS|language=ko}}

In 2005, she appeared in the highly popular KBS series My Rosy Life,{{cite web|url=http://english.kbs.co.kr/hallyu/entertainment_news_view.html?No=1263|title= Final episode of "My Rosy Life" records viewership of 41.5%|access-date= 2 May 2013|publisher=KBS}} written by Moon Young-nam, which also featured Choi Jin-sil. She earned the KBS Popularity Award for her character of Maeng Young-yi, a successful career woman who didn't believe in love. After the success of My Rosy Life, she played the lead in the KBS drama Famous Princesses, also written by Moon.{{cite web|url=http://www.chosun.com/se/news/200602/200602140104.html|script-title=ko:이태란ㆍ김혜선, 문영남 작가 차기작 출연|access-date=7 May 2013|date=14 February 2006|publisher=The Chosun Ilbo|language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217105208/http://www.chosun.com/se/news/200602/200602140104.html|archive-date=17 December 2013|url-status=dead}} The drama recorded high audience rating and garnered several award nominations and wins for its actors.{{cite web|url=http://english.kbs.co.kr/hallyu/entertainment_news_view.html?No=421|title= Dramas Sweep the Top 10 Ratings List|accessdate= 16 May 2014|date= 5 February 2007|publisher=KBS}} Lee's portrayal of Daewi Na Seol-chil has been widely acclaimed, earning her second KBS Top Excellence in Acting Award and Best Couple Award with Park Hae-jin in 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.kbs.co.kr/drama/2009award/redcarpet/2006.html|title= 2006 KBS Drama Awards - Winners List|accessdate= 16 May 2014|publisher=KBS|language=ko}}

File:Lee Tae-ran (3).jpg

Lee next starred in lead role of Jang In-ho in KBS's My Precious You alongside Kim Sung-soo in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.koreanmovie.com/S_Diary_Related_NEWS_Search_2107/|title=Youthful drama targets weekend audience|accessdate=6 December 2012|publisher=Koreanmovie|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130127120356/http://www.koreanmovie.com/S_Diary_Related_NEWS_Search_2107/|archivedate=27 January 2013}} In 2010, she appeared in KBS's war drama Legend of the Patriots, opposite Choi Soo-jong, in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War.{{cite web|url=http://www.koreanmovie.com/War_drama_Legend_of_the_Patriots_premieres_this_weekend_news4948/|title=War drama Legend of the Patriots premieres this weekend|accessdate=6 December 2012|publisher=Koreanmovie|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130127152630/http://www.koreanmovie.com/War_drama_Legend_of_the_Patriots_premieres_this_weekend_news4948/|archivedate=27 January 2013}} In 2012, Lee starred in JTBC's drama How Long I've Kissed, alongside Lee Sung-jae.

In 2013, Lee returned to SBS in the drama Goddess of Marriage, after a three-year hiatus from major Korean TV networks.{{cite web|url=http://economyplus.chosun.com/special/special_view_star.php?atCode=1651|script-title=ko:이태란 SHE'S BaCK|accessdate= 28 June 2013|date= 27 May 2013|publisher=The Chosun Ilbo|language=ko}} She also played the role of Wang Ho-bak in the KBS weekend drama Wang's Family, which was her third work written by Moon Young-nam.{{cite web|url=http://kbsworld.kbs.co.kr/programs/programs_intro.html?no=711|title=Wang's Family|accessdate=26 October 2013|publisher=KBS World|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702174251/http://kbsworld.kbs.co.kr/programs/programs_intro.html?no=711|archivedate=2 July 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bntnews.co.uk/app/news.php?nid=6275|author=Cho Suyoun|title= Lee Tae ran, I'm coming back with a new series! |accessdate= 16 May 2014|date= 29 August 2013|publisher=BNT News}}

In 2018, she starred in the hit drama Sky Castle as Lee Soo-im, a novel writer and the humble and loving housewife and stepmother in the Hwang household.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanmacdonald/2019/02/18/the-soaring-ratings-and-scandals-of-sky-castle/#4d2fb30b5854|title= The Soaring Ratings And Scandals Of 'SKY Castle'|accessdate= 4 March 2019|date= 18 February 2019|work=Forbes}}

In conjunction with her success at home, Lee has become one of the most recognised Korean actresses in China.{{cite web|url=http://ent.sina.com.cn/s/j/2010-06-28/15433000593.shtml|script-title=zh:韩娱每周一星：李泰兰-温婉熟女化身英勇战士|accessdate= 6 December 2012|date= 28 June 2010|publisher=Sina|language=zh}} In 2001, she had a supporting role in CCTV's drama Modern Family, playing a Korean daughter-in-law who married into a Chinese family.{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2002-01/23/content_249983.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020402100140/http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2002-01/23/content_249983.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 April 2002|script-title=zh:央视电视剧频道提前贺岁 《摩登家庭》开播|accessdate= 6 December 2012|date= 23 January 2002|publisher=Xinhua|language=zh}} Her works Yellow Handkerchief and My Rosy Life were shown on CCTV-8. In 2009, Famous Princesses was shown on Hunan Television. It became a huge hit nationwide and was voted "Overseas TV Drama of the Year".{{cite web|url=http://ent.qq.com/zt/2009/star2009/qgz.htm|script-title=zh:年度引进电视剧 《传说中的七公主》|accessdate= 6 December 2012|publisher=QQ|language=zh}} In 2010, Lee landed a lead role in the Chinese TV drama The Lure of Cloud.{{cite web|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/06/22/2010062200393.html|title= Lee Tae-ran to Star in Chinese Drama|accessdate= 16 May 2014|date= 22 June 2010|publisher=The Chosun Ilbo}} In 2011, she appeared in the Chinese historical drama Di Jin with Korean actor Kangta.{{cite web|url=http://news.sbs.co.kr/section_news/news_read.jsp?news_id=N1000921721|script-title=ko:가수 강타, 중국 사극 '제금'서 황제 역 맡아|accessdate= 7 May 2013|date= 30 May 2011|publisher=SBS|language=ko}} In 2012, she had a lead role in another historical drama For the Sake of Beauty with Hong Kong actor Patrick Tam.{{cite web|url=http://www.lovefeng.com.cn/en/dianshi/2012-11-02/71.html|title= For the Sake of Beauty|accessdate= 19 December 2012|publisher=Lafeng Entertainment}} In 2013, Lee filmed a drama The Way We Were, produced by Huayi Brothers, a big-shot Chinese entertainment agency.{{cite web|url=https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2013/06/135_137778.html|author=Park Jin-hai|title= Korean stars faring well in China |access-date= 28 June 2013|date= 19 June 2013|publisher=The Korea Times}}

In 1997, Lee made her film debut in Story of A Man, opposite Choi Min-soo as the film's title character. In 2007, she starred in Love Exposure, the Korean version of Sex and the City, alongside Lee Mi-yeon.{{cite web|url=https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2007/10/135_11131.html|author=Lee Hyo-won|title= Actresses Gain Presence Onscreen |access-date= 16 February 2013|date= 2 October 2007|publisher=The Korea Times}} In 2012, she appeared alongside Cha In-pyo in the film My Boy, on a pro bono basis and was also involved in the production.{{cite web|url=http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2012110723092476326|title= "The Weight" director Jeon Kyu-hwan to Present New Human Drama Pic Next Year|accessdate= 16 May 2014|date= 8 November 2012|publisher=The Asia Business Daily}} The film made its world premiere at the 18th Busan International Film Festival in October 2013,{{cite web|url=http://www.biff.kr/eng/html/program/prog_view.asp?idx=10234&c_idx=57&sp_idx=258&QueryStep=2|title=My Boy|accessdate=4 October 2013|publisher=BIFF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005011525/http://www.biff.kr/eng/html/program/prog_view.asp?idx=10234&c_idx=57&sp_idx=258&QueryStep=2|archive-date=5 October 2013|url-status=dead}} and hit Korean theatres on 10 April 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.bntnews.co.uk/app/news.php?nid=10409|author=Sunghee Park|title= New film 'My Boy' Holds Press Conference |accessdate= 19 March 2014|date= 18 March 2014|publisher=BNT News}}

On 17 February 2014, it was announced that Lee was going to marry businessman Shin Seung-hwan.{{cite web|url=http://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=201402170100169650011484&servicedate=20140217|author=백지은|script-title=ko:이태란, 3월 동갑내기 벤처사업가와 결혼! 웨딩화보 공개 |accessdate= 17 February 2014|date= 17 February 2014|publisher=The Chosun Ilbo|language=ko}}{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2014/02/386_151757.html|author=Park Si-soo|title= Lee Tae-ran to marry next month |access-date= 19 February 2014|date= 17 February 2014|publisher=The Korea Times}} The couple wed in a private Christian ceremony at Villa de Bailey in Seoul on 1 March 2014.{{cite web|url=http://m.mk.co.kr/news/headline/2014/325091|author=김슬기|script-title=ko:3월의 신부 이태란, `아름다운 드레스 자태` |accessdate= 16 May 2014|date= 1 March 2014|publisher=sportsseoul.com.|language=ko}}{{cite web|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/03/03/2014030300992.html|title= Lee Tae-ran Ties the Knot After Soaps Give Her Change of Heart|accessdate= 3 March 2014|date= 3 March 2014|publisher=The Chosun Ilbo}}

In May 2008, Lee travelled to Nepal with the Seollebal Mountain Club to carry out volunteer work. She joined singer Lee Moon-sae, actor Park Sang-won and film director Han Ji-seung to help reconstruct a school.{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2008/09/178_23630.html|author=Han Sang-hee|title= Celebrity Hiking Club to Visit Nepal |access-date= 6 December 2012|date= 4 May 2008|publisher=The Korea Times}} Lee's self-portrait, based on a photo taken in Nepal, was made public for the first time in Korea Art Summer Festival 2009. She hoped that proceeds from the sale of her painting would go to charity.{{cite web|url=http://lady.163.com/09/0807/11/5G41BQMS00262ECA.html|script-title=zh:才女李泰兰展示自画像|accessdate= 9 December 2012|date= 7 August 2009|publisher=163|language=zh}} In March 2009, alongside Hanyang University celebrity alumni Jang Keun-suk, Ha Seok-jin, Park Mi-sun and Jung Il-woo, Lee participated in the Blood Donation Festival "Seventy Days of Miracles", an effort to raise money for children with heart disease and other people in dire need.{{cite web|url=http://www.hanyang.ac.kr/week/2009/200903/e2_top1-N.html|author=Kang Dong Ho|title=Celebrating Hanyang's 70th Anniversary with Love|accessdate=6 December 2012|date=March 2009|publisher=Weekly Hanyang|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221170837/http://www.hanyang.ac.kr/week/2009/200903/e2_top1-N.html|archivedate=21 February 2014}} On 8 July 2011, Lee attended charity-sponsored fashion show and bazaar Wello! Africa, with Sistar and Jo Dong-hyuk, to promote education in Africa. The event was hosted by World Vision. In October 2012, Lee travelled to Tanzania for the filming of MBC's reality show 2012 KOICA's Dream, alongside Nichkhun, Taecyeon, Park Sung-woong, Kim Hyuk and other volunteers. It's a show where celebrities do community service work in underprivileged countries.{{cite web|url=http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/news/nichkhun-s-time-in-tanzania-to-air-on-062515372.html|author= Stewart Ho|title= Nichkhun's time in Tanzania to air on KOICA's Dream|accessdate= 14 December 2012|date= 10 December 2012|publisher=Yahoo! Singapore}}

Lee was named an ambassador at the Mapo Happiness Sharing Food Market in 2009. She volunteers at the food market, donates rice, and also visits elderly citizens living alone, people with disabilities, and low-income families at least twice a month. Her service was recognised by the Ministry of Health and Welfare at the 4th Food Bank National Food Sharing Convention in 2010 and the 7th Food Bank National Food Sharing Convention in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.mw.go.kr/front_new/al/sal0301vw.jsp?PAR_MENU_ID=04&MENU_ID=0403&CONT_SEQ=243934&page=1|author=이창섭|script-title=ko:"콩나물로도 이웃사랑 실천할 수 있어요!" '맛있는 나눔 ! 행복한 세상'"제4회 푸드뱅크 식품나눔 전국대회" 개최 |accessdate= 8 December 2013|date= 22 November 2010|publisher=Ministry of Health and Welfare|language=ko}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stardailynews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=26579|author=황규준|script-title=ko:배우 이태란, 보건복지부장관 표창 수여 |accessdate= 8 December 2013|date= 15 November 2013|publisher=Star Daily News|language=ko}} On 6 December 2013, she donated 2.76 tonnes of fan rice to the Mapo Happiness Sharing Food Market.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201312091534563310|author=이나래|script-title=ko:이태란 쌀화환 2.7톤 기부, 한겨울 훈훈선행 |accessdate= 9 December 2013|date= 9 December 2013|publisher=newsen.com|language=ko}}

Lee arrived in Uganda in April 2014, just one month after her wedding. She travelled to remote villages where many people are suffering from elephantiasis and found it "heartbreaking".{{cite web|url=http://www.tvreport.co.kr/?c=news&m=newsview&idx=489420|author=박설이|script-title=ko:새신부 이태란, 아프리카 봉사 근황 "마음 아파" |accessdate= 30 June 2014|date= 11 April 2014|publisher=tvreport.co.kr|language=ko}} Her week-long mission was featured in "2014 SBS Hope TV", a show designed to raise awareness about the issues that Africans face, and bringing in donations at the same time.{{cite web|url=http://www.sbshope.co.kr/news/ngoStoryView.do?storyIdx=583&storyCategory=101|script-title=ko:코끼리 발의 마을|accessdate= 30 June 2014|publisher=SBS Hope TV|language=ko}}

On February 15, 2023, Lee donated 10 million won to help 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake through Warm Day.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0001557717 |last=Lee|first=Jung-beom|script-title=ko:이태란, 따뜻한 하루에 튀르키예 지진 구호 성금 1000만 원 기부…선한 영향력|trans-title=Lee Tae-ran donates 10 million won to Turkey earthquake relief on a warm day... good influence|publisher=X-ports News|via=Naver|date=February 15, 2023|access-date=February 16, 2023|language=ko}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{Weibo|1910567903|Lee Tae-ran}} {{in lang|ko|zh}}
• {{Instagram|i_taeran}} {{in lang|ko}}
• {{Cyworld|24077923|이태란 (Lee Tae-ran)}}
• {{HanCinema person}}
• {{KMDb person|00016206}}
• {{IMDb name|1048223}}

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

{{SBS Drama Awards for Best New Actress}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Tae-ran}}

Category:1975 births

Category:Living people

Category:South Korean film actresses

Category:South Korean stage actresses

Category:South Korean television actresses

Category:Hanyang University alumni