Lee Yul-eum (이열음) is a South Korean actress celebrated for her versatile performances in mystery, romance, historical, and thriller dramas. Born Lee Hyun-jung on February 16, 1996, she has built a steadily rising career since her 2013 debut, earning recognition for roles in The Village: Achiara’s Secret, Nevertheless, The 8 Show, and the 2025 hit Dear X.
Lee Yul-eum Wikipedia
- Real name: Lee Hyun-jung (이현정)
- Stage name: Lee Yul-eum (이열음)
- Date of birth: February 16, 1996 (age 30 as of 2026)
- Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
- Height / Weight: 165 cm / approx. 45 kg
- Zodiac: Aquarius
- Education: Bundang Youngduk Girls’ High School; Sungshin Women’s University (Media Visual Acting / musical theatre focus)
- Agency: Namoo Actors
- Friends : Bae Doona ( 배두나 )
- Mother: Actress Yoon Young-joo
- Instagram: @yuleumlee
- Years active: 2013–present
- Notable for: The Village: Achiara’s Secret (2015), Nevertheless (2021), The 8 Show (2024), Dear X (2025)
Career
Lee Yul-eum made her acting debut in 2013 in the JTBC daily drama Can’t Take It Anymore (also known as Can’t Stand Anymore), playing Park Eun-mi. She followed with supporting and special appearances, including the MBC Drama Festival short Boy Meets Girl and the KBS Drama Special Middle School Student A (2014).
Her early breakthrough came in 2014–2015 with High School King of Savvy (tvN) as Jung Yoo-ah and key supporting roles in SBS’s Divorce Lawyer in Love and the mystery thriller The Village: Achiara’s Secret (as Shin Ga-young / Ga-yeong). The latter earned her the New Star Award at the 2015 SBS Drama Awards, marking her as a promising talent.
She continued building range with Monster (MBC, 2016), My First Love / Longing Heart (OCN, 2018), Dae Jang Geum Is Watching (MBC, 2018), and the historical Queen: Love and War (TV Chosun, 2019–2020) as Jo Young-ji. A special appearance in Touch (2020) preceded her widely noticed turn as Yoon Seol-ah in the JTBC/Netflix romance Nevertheless (2021), opposite Song Kang.
Film credits include Beyond That Mountain (2020), Urban Myths (2022, segment “The Woman in Red”), and Emergency Declaration (2022) as flight attendant Park Shi-young. She also appeared in the web series The 8 Show (Netflix, 2024) as Kim Yang / 4F, a complex, opportunistic character that showcased darker comedic and dramatic layers and earned a Blue Dragon Series Awards Best New Actress nomination.
In 2025, she took on the high-profile role of Im Re-na (Lena / Rena), a former idol turned top actress and rival to Kim You-jung’s character, in the TVING original Dear X (based on a popular webtoon). The series highlighted her ability to portray ambition, vulnerability, rivalry, and emotional complexity, contributing to its strong international performance on platforms like Viki.
Filmography
Television / Web Series (selected):
- 2013: Can’t Take It Anymore – Park Eun-mi
- 2014: High School King of Savvy – Jung Yoo-ah
- 2015: The Village: Achiara’s Secret – Shin Ga-yeong; Divorce Lawyer in Love
- 2016: Monster
- 2018: Dae Jang Geum Is Watching; My First Love
- 2019–2020: Queen: Love and War – Jo Young-ji
- 2021: Nevertheless – Yoon Seol-ah
- 2024: The 8 Show – Kim Yang / 4F
- 2025: Dear X – Im Re-na (Lena)
- 2026: Dream to You – Oh Ha-na
Awards and Nominations
- 2015 SBS Drama Awards: New Star Award (The Village: Achiara’s Secret / Divorce Lawyer in Love) – Won
- 2016 MBC Drama Awards: Best New Actress (Monster) – Nominated
- 2018 MBC Entertainment Awards: Female Rookie (Music/Talk) – Nominated
- 2024 Blue Dragon Series Awards: Best New Actress (The 8 Show) – Nominated
Personal Life and Controversies
Lee Yul-eum keeps her private life relatively low-key. She is the daughter of actress Yoon Young-joo. In June 2019, while filming Law of the Jungle in Thailand’s Hat Chao Mai National Park, she was filmed catching and cooking endangered giant clams, leading to potential legal issues under national park and wildlife protection laws (possible fines or imprisonment). The incident drew international attention and affected travel considerations in some regions.
In August 2023, dating rumors linked her to director Han Jae-rim. Both denied the rumors the following year at the press conference for The 8 Show. She remains unmarried with no publicly confirmed long-term relationships as of the latest reports. Estimated net worth figures circulating online (around USD 875,000) are unofficial estimates based on acting and modeling work and should be treated cautiously.
She is known among fans for a close, natural image in pictorials (e.g., Allure Korea) and maintains an active Instagram presence (@yuleumlee) sharing professional and personal updates.
FAQs
How old is Lee Yul-eum?
She was born on February 16, 1996, making her 30 years old.
What is Lee Yul-eum’s height?
Approximately 165 cm (5’5″).
Who is Lee Yul-eum’s mother?
Actress Yoon Young-joo.
Is Lee Yul-eum dating anyone?
As of the latest public statements, no confirmed relationship; 2023 rumors with director Han Jae-rim were denied.
What are Lee Yul-eum’s most famous dramas? The
The Village: Achiara’s Secret, Nevertheless, The 8 Show, and Dear X.
What is Lee Yul-eum’s Instagram?
@yuleumlee
What is her upcoming project?
She appears in the 2026 ENA drama Dream to You as Oh Ha-na.