
Lee Jong Suk – Height, Age, Dramas and Girlfriend
Lee Jong-suk stands as one of South Korea’s most recognizable leading men, having transitioned from teenage runway model to powerhouse actor across film and television. Born on September 14, 1989, in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, the 36-year-old performer has anchored some of the most watched Korean dramas of the past decade.
His trajectory from Seoul Fashion Week’s youngest male model to headline star of series like W and Big Mouth illustrates a career built on versatile dramatic range. Currently represented by Ace Factory following a January 2024 signing, Lee continues to expand his filmography while maintaining a high-profile relationship with singer-actress IU.
Who is Lee Jong-suk?
Lee Jong-suk entered the entertainment industry at age fifteen, establishing himself as the youngest male model to walk the Seoul Collection runway before pivoting to acting. His early training included a brief three-month period as a rapper trainee under SM Entertainment for a group called “Real,” though he ultimately departed to pursue acting.
Key insights into his career trajectory:
- Became the youngest male model in Seoul Fashion Week history at age 15 in 2005
- Made acting debut in the short film Sympathy the same year as his modeling breakthrough
- Secured leading man status with School 2013 (2012) before dominating ratings with I Can Hear Your Voice (2013)
- Maintained chart-topping momentum through Pinocchio (2014), W (2016), and Big Mouth (2022)
- Transitioned through multiple agencies including YG Entertainment and HighZium Studio before founding independent operations
- Confirmed romantic relationship with IU in 2022 following years of friendship
- Cast opposite Shin Min-ah in high-profile fantasy romance The Remarried Empress as of December 2024
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lee Jong-suk |
| Date of Birth | September 14, 1989 |
| Height | 186 cm (6 ft 1 in) |
| Birthplace | Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea |
| Education | Konkuk University, Yangjae High School |
| Occupation | Actor, Model |
| Years Active | 2005–present |
| Current Agency | Ace Factory (signed January 3, 2024) |
| Relationship Status | Dating IU (confirmed 2022) |
| Notable Awards | Multiple Best Actor awards for drama performances |
How tall is Lee Jong-suk and what are his key personal details?
Standing at 186 cm (6 ft 1 in), Lee Jong-suk’s height contributed significantly to his initial modeling success and subsequent casting as a leading man. Industry profiles consistently list him among the taller actors in Korean entertainment, a physical attribute that distinguished him during his 2005 runway debut.
Education and Training Background
Lee completed secondary education at Yangjae High School before enrolling at Konkuk University. His academic path ran parallel to early entertainment industry experiences, including the brief stint training as a rapper under SM Entertainment. This period lasted approximately three months before he determined that idol training did not align with his career aspirations.
At age 15, Lee Jong-suk became the youngest male model ever to participate in Seoul Fashion Week’s Seoul Collection, a record that established his early reputation in the fashion industry before his acting career developed.
Physical Statistics
Beyond his confirmed height of 186 centimeters, public records indicate Lee maintains the slender physique typical of his modeling origins. His physical proportions have remained consistent throughout his career, as evidenced by image archives documenting his public appearances from 2005 through 2024.
What are Lee Jong-suk’s best dramas and career highlights?
Lee’s filmography spans over fifteen years and includes defining works of the Korean Wave. Database records show his transition from supporting player to top-billed star occurred rapidly following his 2012 breakthrough.
Breakthrough and Rising Stardom
Supporting roles in Secret Garden (2010) and High Kick Season 3 (2011) introduced Lee to mainstream audiences. However, School 2013 (2012) marked his emergence as a leading actor capable of carrying major network productions. The high school drama showcased his ability to portray complex youth characters, establishing a template for subsequent roles.
Mainstream Success and Hit Dramas
The 2013 supernatural romance I Can Hear Your Voice cemented Lee’s status as a ratings draw. He followed this success with consecutive hits: the medical thriller Doctor Stranger (2014), the journalism drama Pinocchio (2014), the fantasy romance W (2016), and the prophetic dream narrative While You Were Sleeping (2017). Career retrospectives cite W as a particularly significant work, blending mystery and romance across parallel universes.
Recent Projects and Future Plans
Following Romance Is a Bonus Book (2019) and the crime thriller Big Mouth (2022), Lee secured the male lead role in The Remarried Empress, a fantasy romance scheduled for production with co-star Shin Min-ah. This casting, confirmed in December 2024, represents his return to the fantasy romance genre that previously defined his commercial peak.
Is Lee Jong-suk married or dating anyone?
Lee Jong-suk maintains a confirmed romantic relationship with IU (Lee Ji-eun), the singer-songwriter and actress. Agency confirmations in 2022 acknowledged the relationship, which reportedly developed from long-standing friendship into romance.
Relationship Timeline and Confirmation
The couple’s friendship dated back approximately a decade before romantic involvement began. Profile databases note the relationship became public in late 2022, with both agencies issuing statements confirming the status.
As of 2024, Lee Jong-suk and IU remain in a confirmed relationship, though no public announcements regarding marriage have occurred. Both parties maintain privacy regarding specific details of their personal life together.
Privacy Considerations
While the relationship is established fact, the couple rarely discusses private matters in interviews. This discretion aligns with standard practices for high-profile Korean entertainment figures, where personal boundaries remain strictly guarded despite public interest.
No verified information confirms marriage between Lee Jong-suk and IU. Anyone searching for details regarding Lee Jong-suk’s wife should note that he remains unmarried as of the latest available reports.
When did Lee Jong-suk enlist in the military?
Specific dates regarding military enlistment and discharge remain unconfirmed in publicly available sources. Unlike many Korean male celebrities who announce service dates through agencies, Lee’s military timeline has not been documented with exact calendar dates in the verified record.
- — Became youngest male model at Seoul Fashion Week at age 15; debuted in short film Sympathy
- — Secured supporting role in hit drama Secret Garden
- — Achieved leading man status with School 2013
- — Starred in I Can Hear Your Voice, establishing mainstream popularity
- — Led the fantasy thriller W, one of his highest-rated works
- — Starred in Big Mouth; confirmed relationship with IU
- — Signed exclusive contract with Ace Factory
- — Cast in The Remarried Empress opposite Shin Min-ah
What is confirmed versus unclear about Lee Jong-suk?
Public records contain verified biographical data alongside information that remains unspecified or private.
| Established Information | Uncertain or Unconfirmed |
|---|---|
| Born September 14, 1989 in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province | Specific military enlistment dates |
| Height: 186 cm (6 ft 1 in) | Military discharge timeline |
| Attended Konkuk University and Yangjae High School | Marital status (unmarried, no wedding plans announced) |
| Dating IU since approximately 2022 | Private residence details |
| Signed with Ace Factory January 3, 2024 | Future project schedules beyond confirmed castings |
| Debuted as model and actor in 2005 | Specific income or contract values |
How did Lee Jong-suk’s modeling background shape his acting career?
The discipline of runway modeling informed Lee’s on-screen presence, particularly his command of physical space and fashion-forward styling. Beginning at Seoul Fashion Week while still attending high school, he developed the professionalism and work ethic that would characterize his later acting performances.
His early exposure to the entertainment industry through SM Entertainment’s trainee system, though brief, provided foundational understanding of idol industry mechanics before he committed fully to acting. This dual background—fashion and music industry training—created the versatility that allows him to move between romantic leads and action-oriented roles with equal credibility.
What do primary sources say about Lee Jong-suk?
Biographical data derives from agency announcements, university records, and entertainment industry databases. Compiled profiles aggregate information from Ace Factory regarding his 2024 signing, while MyDramaList maintains comprehensive filmography records verified against broadcast credits.
Career data and agency transitions are sourced from official announcements and entertainment industry registries.
— Aggregated from Ace Factory, YG Entertainment, and HighZium Studio records
What defines Lee Jong-suk’s current professional status?
Lee Jong-suk maintains active status under Ace Factory, preparing for production of The Remarried Empress while managing his established relationship with IU. At 186 cm (6 ft 1 in), his physical stature continues to match the leading man roles that have defined his career since School 2013 established him as a bankable star over a decade ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lee Jong-suk’s current agency?
Lee Jong-suk signed with Ace Factory on January 3, 2024, following previous associations with YG Entertainment, HighZium Studio, and YNK Entertainment.
How tall is Lee Jong-suk in feet?
He stands at 186 centimeters, equivalent to 6 feet 1 inch.
When was Lee Jong-suk born?
September 14, 1989, in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.
What was Lee Jong-suk’s first acting role?
He debuted in the 2005 short film Sympathy before securing television roles.
Is Lee Jong-suk currently serving in the military?
No specific enlistment dates have been confirmed in available public records.
Who is Lee Jong-suk dating?
He has been in a confirmed relationship with singer and actress IU since 2022.
What is Lee Jong-suk’s next drama?
He is cast as the male lead in The Remarried Empress opposite Shin Min-ah, announced December 2024.
Did Lee Jong-suk start as a K-pop trainee?
He trained for three months as a rapper under SM Entertainment for a group called “Real” before leaving to pursue acting.