Former MBLAQ member Lee Joon is proof that K-pop idols can successfully cross over into K-dramaland and become serious actors. Fans were thrilled to see his name on the list of actors headlining Netflix’s upcoming sci-fi thriller The Silent Sea. In it, he stars alongside Gong Yoo and Bae Doona as Captain Ryu Tae Sook, a senior engineer who volunteers to join a top-secret mission to the moon. Also on his list of headlining dramas premiering this December is Bulgasal: Immortal Souls, where he teams up with Lee Jin Wook and Kwon Nara as the immortal Ok Eul Tae. The drama’s production stills give a hint of the mischief and conflict he’ll be cooking up for his co-leads.
With a historical drama called Red Heart in the works and slated for release in 2022, things are looking up for Lee Joon.
Here are eight facts that will help you get to know him better:
1. Lee Joon was born on February 7, 1988.
Born with the biological name Lee Changsun, 34-year old (Korean age) Lee Joon shares an Aquarius zodiac sign with famous stars like Justin Timberlake, Michael Jordan, J-Hope, Park Shin Hye, and Park Bo Young. Aquarius men are known for being rebels at heart. They’re loyal, friendly, smart, offbeat, and tend to be aloof at times. They have an inner desire to change the world and really value their independence and "me" time. They match well with Gemini, Libra, Aries, and fellow Aquarians.
2. He is a Seoulite through and through.
Lee Joon was born and raised in Seoul. He took up modern dance at Seoul’s Korea National University of Arts and attended Kyung Hee Cyber University, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in Communication. He has an older sister and revealed the push and pull dynamics he has with his mother on the seventh episode of Idol Manager. Lee Joon explained that he holds back on expressing too much of his emotions in front of his mother in order to prevent their relationship from becoming boring.
3. He was a model before he debuted.
Before making it big, Lee Joon worked as a model for home shopping products and even had a modeling stint as a fitting model for wigs! He revealed this on an episode of Beatles Code 3D way back in 2014.
4. He trained under Rain and was a member of K-pop boy group MBLAQ.
Lee Joon debuted as a member of MBLAQ on October 9, 2009. He served as the group’s main dancer and vocalist. He is also referred to at times as the "face of the group." After participating in three singles, seven EPs, and one studio album, Lee Joon decided not to renew his contract with his agency, J. Tune Entertainment. He left the group on December 16, 2014 to pursue a solo career focusing on acting.
5. In a 2010 interview with Newsen, Lee Joon revealed that he was suffering from insomnia and bipolar disorder.
News of his condition re-surfaced in 2017 when panic attacks led to his transfer from active military duty to reservist duty. His openness in speaking publicly about his condition has helped him convey a message of "oneness" to fans around the globe who are also experiencing the same challenges.
6. Lee Joon made his film debut in the 2009 film Ninja Assassin.
He made his Hollywood film debut as teenage Raizo (Rain’s character). This earned him the nickname "Little Rain." In one of his interviews, Lee Joon spoke highly of how he learned so much from Rain during the two months he spent with him while shooting Ninja Assassin. He revealed that the OG actor did not eat a single grain of rice during filming and his muscles were the result of hard work and discipline.
7. He dated actress Jung So Min.
The two actors starred in the KBS drama Father Is Strange. According to the Korean media outlet Dispatch, the couple dated for three years after the drama ended. Due to scheduling conflicts, they grew apart and ended their relationship in 2020.
8. His blood type is A.
According to Korean blood type personality theory, people with blood type A have a tendency to be sincere and friendly. They’re sensitive in nature and it takes time for them to warm up to others. Often mistaken for being snobs, they are do not easily express themselves and are experts at hiding how they truly feel. Type As are most compatible with Type Os and fellow Type As. Among the other types, they are least compatible with Type Bs.
9. His ideal type is award-winning figure skater Kim Yuna
In an interview released on Naver, Lee Joon opened up about how starstruck he was when he met Kim Yuna in the flesh. He was with 2AM’s Jinwoon and SISTAR’s Bora at that time and was about to hide from her because he was super shy. Jinwoo called him out, forcing him to greet her. "That was the first time I felt myself become so small. I liked her as a fan but I couldn’t control my own emotions. I would like to become as cool and levelheaded as her. I think that it’s best to have a levelheaded mindset in any and all situations. She’s younger than me but I think I have a lot to learn from her. I respect her greatly," he confessed.
YOUR GUIDE TO YOUR FAVORITE KOREAN ACTORS:
10 Things You'll Love To Know About 'Taxi Driver' Actor Lee Je Hoon
8 Things You'll Love To Know About Yoo Yeon Seok
Love 'Squid Game' Star Wi Ha Joon? Here Are Some Facts You Should Know About Him
