Lee Beom-su

Lee Beom-su, born January 3, 1970, in Chungju, South Korea, has this knack for slipping into a character so well, you almost forget he’s acting. The guy’s resume is wild—if you haven’t watched “Jjakpae” (2006), you’re sleeping on a crime thriller that goes for the jugular. Lee’s performance as a gritty, layered protagonist is the sort of thing that sticks with you, you know? Then there’s “King-kong-eul deul-da” (2009)—think buddy cop chaos meets heartfelt drama, and Lee’s right in the thick of it, tossing in humor with real emotional punch. It’s honestly fun seeing him flip between tough guy and softie. Fast forward to “Incheon Sangryuk Jakjeon” (2016), and Lee’s still out here, flexing his range. The film is all tension and double-crosses, set against a backdrop of war, and Lee’s character brings this unpredictable edge that keeps the story humming. It’s not just the roles, though. Off-screen, Lee’s been married to Yoon-jin Lee since May 22, 2010, and they’ve got two kids, which is kind of adorable considering how intense some of his roles get. He’s one of those actors who never phones it in—always sharp, always interesting, and always up for surprising you. If you’re into Korean cinema even a little, Lee Beom-su is a name you can’t just skip past.