Known for her deer-like eyes and elegant aura, actress Lee Min-jung has long been loved for her gentle yet charismatic screen presence. But behind her dazzling smile lies a deeply personal family story that has remained unknown to the public until now.
Lee Min-jung first debuted in 1998 through Player’s “I’ll Protect You” music video. After choosing to retake the college entrance exams, she was admitted to the Acting Arts Department of Sungkyunkwan University in 2001.
Initially majoring in directing, Lee Min-jung caught the attention of her academic advisor and began participating in theater productions. This unexpected turn ultimately led her onto the path of acting. She officially debuted as a film actress through director Jang Jin’s Someone Special, before landing her first leading role in Min Byung-hoon’s Flying Boys (also known as Cut the Grapevine), where she impressed audiences by playing two characters in a dual role.
Despite her strong performance, the independent nature of the film meant that it did not bring her immediate mainstream success.
Her career took a dramatic turn in 2009, when she appeared as Ha Jae-kyung, the girlfriend of Gu Jun-pyo (played by Lee Min-ho), in the hit drama Boys Over Flowers. The role shot her to stardom, earning her explosive popularity and widespread recognition.
Since then, Lee Min-jung has steadily built an impressive filmography, appearing in dramas such as Smile, You, Midas, Big, All About My Romance, Come Back Alive, Fates & Furies and Villains, constantly showcasing his stable and refined acting skills.
Recently, however, the actress gained attention not for a new project, but for a deeply emotional revelation shared via a contained interview. It was revealed that Lee Min-jung had an older brother who died before he was born.
His mother carefully narrated, “There was a child who died before Min-jung was born.”
Hearing this, Lee Min-jung reflected on her childhood, saying that whenever she received injections as a child, she saw her mother cry and believed it was because of her. Only later did he come to understand the deeper pain his mother carried.
Despite this painful family history, Lee Min-jung overcame the pain and achieved notable success as an actress. In 2013, she married fellow actor Lee Byung-hun and the couple built a warm and loving family together.
Balancing her career with her role as a devoted mother, Lee Min-jung continues to show grace both on and off screen. Many believe that the hardships of her past shaped her into the strong, compassionate person she is today.
Both fans and the public are now sending messages of support, hoping that his future is filled only with happiness and peace.
Sources: Daum
