Lee Se-young

Beginnings

Lee began her career as a child actress;^[5] and was best known for the films When I Turned Nine,^[6] Lovely Rivals,^[7] and The Wonder Years.^[8][9]

As she entered her early twenties, Lee also appeared in the television series Puberty Medley,^[10] Missing You^[11] and Goddess of Marriage,^[12] as well as films Horror Stories 2 and Hot Young Bloods.^[13][14][15] Lee got increasingly larger roles in music romance drama Lovers of Music and fantasy mystery thriller The Vampire Detective.^[16][17][18]

2016–present: Rising popularity

Lee's popularity increased after starring in the family drama The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop (2016), where she received favourable reviews.^[19] She and co-star Hyun Woo were dubbed as "The Ahchoo Couple" by fans.^[20] Lee also won the Best New Actress award in the television category at the Baeksang Arts Award for her performance.^[21]

In 2017, Lee starred in her first leading role in free-to-air TV station with KBS2's youth drama Hit the Top.^[22] Lee then starred in the fantasy romantic comedy drama A Korean Odyssey by the Hong sisters,^[23] and was praised for her portrayal of three different characters.^[24]

In 2018, Lee played her first big-screen leading role in the comedy film Duck Town.^[25]

In 2019, Lee starred in the tvN historical drama The Crowned Clown, based on the 2012 Korean historical film Masquerade,^[26][27] where she played the role of Queen Yoo So-woon. The same year, she appeared in the horror film Lingering^[28][29] and the medical drama Doctor John.^[30]

In 2020, Lee starred in the mystery thriller Memorist as a genius profiler.^[31] She then reunited with Shin Sung-rok, whom she previously worked with in Lovers of Music, for the MBC drama Kairos.^{[32][unreliable source?]}

In 2021, Lee played the role of Sung Deok-im in MBC hit historical romance drama The Red Sleeve, co-starring alongside Lee Jun-ho.^[33]

In 2022, Lee made a special appearance as a cinema employee in the film Seoul Vibe. Lee also played the lead role as a lawyer named Kim Yu-ri in KBS romantic comedy drama The Law Cafe, reuniting with A Korean Odyssey co-star Lee Seung-gi.^[34]

In November 2023, she also appeared in the time-traveling historical fantasy drama titled The Story of Park's Marriage Contract.^[35]

In September 2025, Lee left her agency Prain TPC, which she had been with for 11 years, and signed an exclusive contract with Fantagio.^[36]

Ambassadorship

In 2005, Lee was appointed as an Honorary Space Ambassador by Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Ministry of Science and Technology.^[37] Lee was appointed as the first ambassador of Seoul Teen Women's Festival by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2008 to help promote and create a safe Seoul for teenage girls.^[38] In June 2011, Lee was appointed as a Public Relations Ambassador for Energy Citizen Solidarity to promote the importance of energy conservation practice and protecting the environment.^[39] In 2018, Lee was appointed as a Crime Prevention Ambassador by Seoul Gangdong Police Station, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.^[40]

Endorsements

In 2008, Lee became the first model and endorser for Nana's B, a cosmetic brand for teenagers by LG H&H.^[41] In 2012, she was appointed as an exclusive model for Samchuly, the most well-known bicycle company in Korea.^[42] In 2013, Lee was named as an executive model for Clean & Clear.^{[citation needed]} From 2017 to 2019, Lee became a model and endorser for the cosmetic brand Tony Moly^[43] and a French dessert company and the world's largest franchise brand of yogurt Yoplait from 2017 to 2020.^[44] In 2020, She was named as the new ambassador of a cosmetic brand The Face Shop new line Yehwadam by LG H&H.^[45] In 2022, Lee re-appeared as an ambassador for Yoplait,^[46] became the first Cetaphil brand ambassador in Korea,^[47] an exclusive model for Italian luxury brand Versace fragrances,^[48] and the first brand ambassador for eco-friendly fashion brand Joseph and Stacey.^[49] In 2023, Lee became an exclusive model for sunglasses brand Vedi Vero.^[50] In 2024, she became an exclusive model for the fermented milk product Dr. Capsule 100 by Binggrae^[51] and an exclusive model and endorser for home aesthetic brand Vanav.^[52] In 2025, Lee became an exclusive model for clothing brand SOUP known for its romantic and feminine mood,^[53] became friends of the house Japanese luxury brand Shiseido,^[54] and brand ambassador for French luxury hair care Rene Furterer by Laboratoires Pierre Fabre.^[55] In August, Lee become an exclusive model for a contemporary Korean fashion brand with a Parisian sensibility Merci Anne S.^[56]

Film

Television series

Web series

Television shows

Hosting

Music video appearances

Listicles