Lee Byung-hun, born on the 12th July, 1970, is a South Korean actor who became known for award-winning movies such as “Joint Security Area” and “A Bittersweet Life”, and when he also broke into Hollywood, became known globally for his films “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” and “RED 2”.
So how much is Lee’s net worth? As of early 2017, based on authoritative sources it is reported to be $20 million, acquired from his years as an actor and his various businesses which began in the early ‘90s.
Lee Byung-hun Net Worth $20 Million
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Lee was raised mainly in Gyeonggi Province of South Korea. His sister, Lee Eun-hee, became Miss Korea in 1996. He studied at Hanyang University, majoring in French Literature, and pursued graduate studies at Chung-Ang University majoring in Theatre and Cinematography.
Lee got his break in acting in 1991, when the South Korean television network KBS held an audition for a television series and he was selected to stard in “Asphalt My Hometown”. Some of his early projects that got him recognized also included “The Harmonium in My Memory” and “Asphalt Man”. His early years as an actor started his career and also his net worth.
In 2000, Lee made huge waves in his home country when he starred in the movie “Joint Security”, which became one of the highest grossing films in South Korea, and also gained him a Best Actor award of the Busan Film Critics. His other popular projects in South Korea included “Bungee Jumping on Their Own”, “Beautiful Days”, “The Good, the Bad, the Weird”, and “A Bittersweet Life”; all of which elevated his career and also helped increase his wealth.
In 2009, Lee broke into Hollywood when he became part of the movie “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” alongside Sienna Miller and Channing Tatum, which opened doors in Hollywood and led to more movies. Some of these have included “RED 2”, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation”, and “Terminator Genisys”. One of his most recent projects included “The Magnificent Seven” along with Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt.
His success in Hollywood also led Lee to become the one of the first Korean actors, along with Ahn Sung-Ki, to have their hand and foot prints on the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in 2012. In 2016, he became the first Korean actor to present an Academy Award – an Oscar.
Aside from acting, Lee also has his own management company, BH Entertainment, in which he manages various actors in South Korea. He also opened his own apparel shop called BHNC, which sells wallets, scarves, and hats.
In terms of his personal life, Lee is married to Lee Min-jung who is also an actress in South Korea. The two married in 2013, and together they have one son, Lee Joon-hoo.
