Lee Joon


Lee Chang-sun, better known by his stage name Lee Joon, is a South Korean actor and former singer. He is best known as a former member of the South Korean boy band MBLAQ. Since early 2015 he has been signed to Prain TPC.

Career

Beginnings

Before becoming a part of MBLAQ, Lee acted in CFs, had a small non-recurring role in the first episode of the sitcom That Person Is Coming, which aired in 2008, and began and completed filming for the 2009 film, Ninja Assassin in which he portrayed the Teenage Raizo.

Music career

After training under Rain and J. Tune Entertainment, Lee became a member of South Korean quintet boyband MBLAQ, serving as a vocalist and main dancer. The group debuted on October 9, 2009 at Rain's Legend of Rainism concert where they performed various songs from their then-unreleased single album Just BLAQ. MBLAQ's first single, "Oh Yeah", was released to the public through a music video on October 14, 2009 with their debut single album, Just BLAQ releasing on the same day. MBLAQ made their broadcast debut with the song "Oh Yeah" on Mnet's M! Countdown.
MBLAQ made their Japanese debut on May 3, 2011 with an event held at the Kanagawa Lazona Kawasaki Plaza which gathered a reported 10, 000 fans. A day later, on May 4, they released their first Japanese single "Your Luv" which immediately reached first position of the Oricon Daily Charts, selling more than 11,000 copies.
With MBLAQ, he released three single albums, seven EPs and one studio album. He left the group in October 2014.
On October 18, 2017 ahead of his mandatory military enlistment Lee released his first solo digital single, "What I Want to Give to You", a pop ballad song written by his former MBLAQ band-mate Thunder.

Acting career

In 2010, he was cast in Jungle Fish 2, a youth drama which tackles real life issues about students. He participated in the OST for Jungle Fish 2, singing the song "슬픈예감 " with Hong Jong-hyun.
In 2011, Lee lent his voice for the Korean dub of the film Gnomeo & Juliet.
In 2012 he was cast in Iris II, the sequel to the espionage series Iris.
The same year, he joined the variety show, We Got Married where he was paired up with Oh Yeon-seo in an on-screen marriage.
In 2013, Lee starred in the film Rough Play, produced by Kim Kiduk. The film was unusually risque for a pop idol due to the numerous nude sex scenes he had to perform in it.
He won the Best Male Newcomer award at the 1st Wildflower Film Awards for his performance, and was also nominated for the Best New Actor award at the 50th Baeksang Arts Awards and the 23rd Buil Film Awards.
In 2014, Lee had roles in the crime thriller Gap-dong and romance comedy fantasy drama Mr. Back.
In 2015, Lee starred in SBS' black comedy drama Heard It Through the Grapevine, winning accolades at the 8th Korea Drama Awards and 4th APAN Star Awards for his performance.
The same year, he featured in the period mystery film The Piper; and lent his voice to the animated zombie film, Seoul Station.
In 2016, Lee starred in OCN's fantasy thriller The Vampire Detective as the title role. The same year, he had a supporting role in MBC's legal drama Woman with a Suitcase. He also co-starred in the action comedy film, Luck Key.
In 2017, Lee Joon starred in KBS2's weekend family drama, My Father is Strange.

Radio Career

In 2019, after being discharged from the military, Lee Joon started hosting the radio show Lee Joon's Youngstreet as Joon Haeng Ja on SBS Power FM.

Personal life

Lee Joon was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, and has an older sister. He won second place in a dance competition and thus won a scholarship to Seoul Arts High School. He majored in modern dance at the Korea National University of Arts and attended Kyung Hee Cyber University. Lee has stated that he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Lee began his mandatory military service as an active duty soldier on October 24, 2017, attending a five-week basic training in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. Lee completed his training first among 183 comrades. He was assigned to 8th Battalion to complete his duty.
Due to suffering with panic disorders while carrying out his military duties, Lee was deemed inadequate to serve as an active duty soldier, and was transferred to reservist duty. Lee completed his remaining mandatory duty as a public service officer. He was discharged on December 19, 2019.

Discography

As lead artist

As featured artist

Soundtrack appearances

Filmography

Film

Television drama

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
20141st Wildflower Film AwardsBest ActorRough Play
20141st Wildflower Film AwardsBest New ActorRough Play
20147th Korea Drama AwardsBest New ActorGap-dong
201450th Baeksang Arts AwardsBest New Actor Rough Play
201450th Baeksang Arts AwardsMost Popular Actor Rough Play
201423rd Buil Film AwardsBest New ActorRough Play
2014MBC Drama AwardsBest New ActorMr. Back
201551st Baeksang Arts AwardsBest New Actor Heard It Through the Grapevine
201551st Baeksang Arts AwardsMost Popular Actor Heard It Through the Grapevine
20158th Korea Drama AwardsExcellence Award, ActorHeard It Through the Grapevine
20154th APAN Star AwardsExcellence Award, Actor in a Serial DramaHeard It Through the Grapevine
2015SBS Drama AwardsBest Couple Award Heard It Through the Grapevine
2015Scene Stealer FestivalYoungest Scene Stealer
201652nd Baeksang Arts AwardsMost Popular Actor The Vampire Detective
20161st Asia Artist AwardsBest Entertainer Award, ActorWoman with a Suitcase
2017KBS Drama AwardsExcellence Award, Actor in a Serial DramaFather is Strange