Lee Il-hwa is a veteran South Korean actress known for her warm, natural portrayals of mothers and everyday women. She gained widespread recognition through the popular Reply series, where her maternal roles earned her the affectionate nickname “Nation’s Mom.” With a career spanning more than three decades, she remains a familiar and trusted presence in Korean television and film.
Lee Il-hwa was born on January 29, 1971, in Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. As she is 55 years old. She is South Korean by nationality, and her zodiac sign is Aquarius (or Capricorn depending on exact calculation; most profiles list her under Capricorn/Aquarius cusp influences).
Personal Details
| Full Name | Lee Il-hwa (이일화) |
| Nickname | Nation’s Mom, Ilhwa-ring |
| Profession | Actress |
| Date of Birth | 29 January 1971 |
| Age | 55 |
| Birthplace | Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Religion | Protestant (Presbyterian) |
| Friends | Jeon Hye-jin (전혜진) |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius / Capricorn |
| Current Residence | South Korea |
| Qualification | Kyung Hee University Graduate School (Cultural Arts Management, master’s); Digital Seoul Culture Arts University (Social Welfare) |
| Height | 165 cm |
Career
Lee Il-hwa entered the entertainment industry in 1992 after passing the SBS open recruitment for the second generation of talents. She made early appearances in dramas such as Calendula and Three Families Under One Roof. Throughout the 1990s she took on supporting roles in various series while steadily building experience.
A notable early highlight was her role in the historical drama Age of the Wild (Yain Sidae). She continued working across genres, including romantic comedies, family dramas, and historical pieces. Her career reached a new level of public affection with the Reply series: she played the mother of the female lead in Reply 1997 (2012), Reply 1994 (2013), and Reply 1988 (2015). These warm, realistic maternal performances made her one of the most recognizable supporting actresses of the 2010s.
Other memorable roles include Han Sun-young (Se-mi’s mother) in My Love from the Star (2013), appearances in Chief Kim (2017), Young Lady and Gentleman (2021), and more recent works such as Eve (2022), No Gain No Love (2024), and A Graceful Liar (2025–2026). She has also appeared in films including The Accidental Detective series, Daddy You, Daughter Me, Count, and My Name Is Loh Kiwan (2024).
She has received awards for her work, including recognition at the KBS Drama Awards for a drama special. As of 2026 she continues to take on supporting and character roles in both television and film under her current agency.
Personal Life
Lee Il-hwa was first married to singer Kang In-won in 1996; the marriage ended in divorce in 1997. She later remarried a university professor in 2011. She has one daughter, born around 1999.
Physical Appearance
| Height | 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) |
| Weight | Approximately 45–49 kg (99–108 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Dark brown / black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Body Type | Slim |
Drama List
Selected Television Dramas
- Reply 1997 (2012) – Female lead’s mother
- Reply 1994 (2013) – Lee Il-hwa (boarding-house mother)
- My Love from the Star (2013–2014) – Han Sun-young
- Reply 1988 (2015–2016) – Seong Deok-seon’s mother
- Chief Kim (2017)
- Young Lady and Gentleman (2021) – Anna Kim
- Eve (2022)
- No Gain No Love (2024)
- A Graceful Liar (2025–2026) – Han Hye-ra
- Additional appearances in Man in a Veil, Secrets and Lies, Witch’s Court, and numerous specials and supporting roles from the 1990s onward
Selected Films
- No Need to Justify Yearning (1994)
- Romantic Island (2008)
- Bandhobi (2009)
- Fashion King (2014)
- The Accidental Detective (2015) and its sequel (2018)
- Daddy You, Daughter Me (2017)
- Count (2023)
- My Name Is Loh Kiwan (2024) – Jeong-ju
FAQs
Who is Lee Il-hwa?
She is a South Korean actress best known for her maternal roles in the Reply series and for appearing in numerous popular dramas over more than 30 years.
How old is Lee Il-hwa?
She was born on January 29, 1971, making her 55 years old in 2026.
Is Lee Il-hwa married?
Yes. She has been married to a university professor since 2011. She was previously married briefly in the 1990s.
What is Lee Il-hwa famous for?
Her warm portrayals of mothers in Reply 1997, Reply 1994, and Reply 1988, which earned her the nickname “Nation’s Mom
Does she still act?
Yes. She continues to appear in television dramas and films into the mid-2020s.