Lee was a regular cast member of the South Korean variety showRunning Man from June 2010 until May 2021, while his last appearance on the show was aired on June 13, 2021.
Lee began his entertainment career as a model in 2007. He made his acting debut in the 2008sitcomHere He Comes,[5] which was followed byHigh Kick Through the Roof.[6][7]
Lee's popularity increased after joiningSBS'Good Sunday variety showRunning Man, gaining the nickname "Prince of Asia" due to his large number of overseas fans.[8][9] In 2010 and 2011, Lee won back-to-back awards at theSBS Entertainment Awards for "New Star Award" and "Best Newcomer in Variety", respectively.[10]
In 2013, after another supporting role inA Wonderful Moment,[15] Lee voiced the lead character Marco in the animated movieMaritime Police Marco, opposite fellowRunning Man regularSong Ji-hyo, who voiced for Lulu.[16][17]
Lee had publicly stated that he wanted to play an antagonist in TV or film. He was then cast as Prince Imhae (villainous brother toKing Gwanghae) in the 2013 period dramaGoddess of Fire.[18][19] While filmingGoddess of Fire, he participated in an energy conservation campaign alongside child actress Kim Yoo-bin.[20]
On August 17, 2013, Lee held his first solo fan meeting of his career in Singapore. Attended by 2,000 fans, it was considered a success.[21] He held another one in Malaysia on January 4, 2014, attended by almost 3,000 fans.[22]
Lee in November 2014
In 2014, Lee played his first major role on the big screen inConfession. Theneo-noir film is about three friends (played byJi Sung,Ju Ji-hoon, and Lee) whose friendship gets destroyed after getting involved in a murder case.[23][24][25] He then returned to television with the medical melodramaIt's Okay, That's Love, playing a patient suffering fromTourette syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics.[26] Lee then starred in the filmA Dynamite Family, about five bickering brothers living in the village of Deoksu.[27]
In 2015, Lee played the protagonist inCollective Invention, whose condition is caused by side effects from a newly introduced drug.[28]Collective Invention was screened in the Vanguard section of the2015 Toronto International Film Festival, marking Lee's first red carpet appearance at an international film festival.[29] He also starred in the two-episode dramaPuck!, where he played a loan shark who joins a collegeice hockey club. The one-act play was aired on January 1, 2016.[30] The same year, he was appointed ambassador of the "2015 Korea Brand & Entertainment Expo" and received commendation from the trade minister for boosting the Korean Wave industry.[31]
In September 2017, it was confirmed that Lee would be a fixed cast member inNetflix's variety showBusted!.[35]
In 2018, Lee starred inNoh Hee-kyung's slice-of-lifeLive playing a police officer who tries to uphold values in everyday life and maintain justice.[36] The drama was a success and Lee received rave reviews for his performance.[37] He then played a Mensa genius in crime comedyThe Accidental Detective 2: In Action, a sequel to the2015 film.[38]
On February 15, 2020, Lee was involved in a car accident which put all of his activities on pause until his recovery from ankle injury.[43] Later in June, it was confirmed that he would be starring inThe Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure, a sequel to the2014 film.[44] The film was released in January 2022.
In 2021, Lee returned to the Season 3 ofNetflix variety showBusted!. Later in April 2021, Lee confirmed the filmA Year-End Medley, which was released in the same year.[45] On April 27, 2021, Lee's agency announced that he will be stepping down fromRunning Man to focus on treatment and recovery from the accident. His last recording took place on May 24, 2021.[46] In 2022, Lee starred in thetvN dramaThe Killer's Shopping List, marking his return to the small screen after four years.[47] His work also includes filmsSinkhole andA Year-End Medley.[48] He received his second nomination for Best Supporting Actor at theBlue Dragon Film Awards for his work inSinkhole.[49]
On December 31, 2018, it was reported that Lee had been dating actressLee Sun-bin, withKing Kong by Starship stating that the couple had been dating "for 5 months" prior to the announcement of their relationship.[50][51][52]
^abKim Na-ra (November 1, 2021)."제42회 청룡영화상, 후보 발표...류승완 '모가디슈' 최다 부문 노미네이트 [공식]" [42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards, nominations announced... Ryoo Seung-wan 'Mogadishu' Nominated for Most Category [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily.Archived from the original on November 1, 2021. RetrievedNovember 1, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Kim Ji-hye (October 29, 2021)."해적2', 내년 설 연휴 개봉...강하늘X한효주X이광수 호흡" ['Pirates 2' to be released next year for the Lunar New Year holiday... Kang Ha-neul X Han Hyo-joo X Lee Kwang-soo Breathing] (in Korean).Seoul Broadcasting System.Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. RetrievedOctober 29, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Moon Ji-yeon (November 26, 2021)."[공식] 이광수·설현·진희경 '살인자의 쇼핑목록' 출연 확정" [[Official] Lee Kwang-soo, Seolhyun, and Jin Hee-kyung confirmed to appear in 'The Murderer's Shopping List'] (in Korean).Sports Chosun.Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. RetrievedNovember 26, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Kim, Myung-mi (August 10, 2023)."이선균 유재명 김무열 이광수 '노 웨이 아웃' 캐스팅...10월 크랭크인[공식]" [Lee Sun-kyun, Yoo Jae-myung, Kim Moo-yeol, and Lee Kwang-soo cast in 'No Way Out'... October Crank-in [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen.Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. RetrievedAugust 10, 2023 – via Naver.
^Yoon, Sang-geun (February 19, 2025).'이혼보험' 이동욱X이주빈X이광수X이다희 합류..3월 31일 첫방[종합] ['Divorce Insurance' Lee Dong-wook X Lee Joo-bin X Lee Kwang-soo X Lee Da-hee joins..First broadcast on March 31 [Comprehensive]].Star News (in Korean). RetrievedFebruary 26, 2025.
^Choi, Yoon-na (November 9, 2023)."박해수·신민아→이광수·공승연...넷플릭스 '악연' 출연 확정 [공식]" [Park Hae-Soo-Shin Min-Ah → Lee Kwang-Soo-Gong Seung-Yeon...Netflix 'Bad Blood' casting confirmed [Official]].Sports Donga (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. RetrievedNovember 9, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim Jin-seok (January 6, 2021)."[단독]이광수, 액션 휴먼 멜로극 '히어로' 주인공" [[Exclusive] Lee Kwang-soo, the main character of the action human melodrama 'Hero'].isplus.joins (in Korean). RetrievedJanuary 24, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Patk Pan-seok (September 8, 2022)."위기의X' 이광수 특별출연 등판..권상우와 환장의 티키타카" [Lee Kwang-soo's special appearance in 'X of Crisis' appears... Kwon Sang-woo and Tiki Taka] (in Korean). Osen.Archived from the original on September 8, 2022. RetrievedSeptember 8, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Jung Hee-yeon (April 27, 2021)."이광수 '런닝맨' 하차 [공식입장]".sports.donga (in Korean).Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. RetrievedApril 27, 2021.
^Hwang Hye-jin (August 11, 2021)."바퀴달린집3' 측 "강하늘→세훈 '해적' 배우 9人 스핀오프 출연"(공식)" ['House on Wheels 3' side "Kang Ha-neul → Sehun's 'Pirates' cast 9 people spin-off appearance" (official)].Newsen (in Korean).Naver.Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. RetrievedAugust 11, 2021.
^Hwang, So-young (September 25, 2023)."콩콩팥팥' 이광수·김우빈 고라니 습격에도 긍정 회로" ['Kong Kong Kong Kong' Lee Kwangsoo-Kim Woo Bin Positive circuitry in the face of elephant attacks] (in Korean).JTBC.Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. RetrievedOctober 9, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Hwang, So-young (November 30, 2022)."유재석·이광수·유리, '더존' 시즌2 제작 확정" [Yoo Jae-seok, Lee Kwang-soo, and Yuri confirm production of 'Duzone' season 2].JTBC (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. RetrievedNovember 30, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Moon Ji-yeon (July 6, 2022)."[공식] 유재석, 정효민 PD와 재회→김연경 호흡..'코리아 넘버원' 공개" [[Official] Yoo Jae-seok and Jung Hyo-min PD reunion → Kim Yeon-kyung breathing.. 'Korea No. 1' released] (in Korean).Sports Chosun.Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. RetrievedJuly 6, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Kim Myung-won (October 20, 2021)."한-메콩 홍보대사로 위촉된 배우 이광수" [Actor Lee Kwang-soo appointed as Korea-Mekong ambassador] (in Korean).Newsis.Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. RetrievedOctober 20, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Lee, Woo-joo (July 19, 2023)."수고했다 혜교야" 눈물의 첫 대상 ...수지X하정우, 남녀주연상 ['청룡시리즈어워즈'](종합)" [You've done a great job, Hye Kyo" The first object of tears...Suzy X Ha Jung Woo, Male and Female Lead Actor ['Blue Dragon Series Awards'] (Overall)] (in Korean).Sports Chosun.Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. RetrievedJuly 20, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Choi, Joon-yong (December 30, 2010).아이유-조권-민호 등 10명, 첫 신설된 SBS 예능 뉴스타상 수상 [10 people, including IU, Jo Kwon, and Minho, received the first newly established SBS Entertainment New Star Award].Asiae (in Korean).Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Jang Chang-hwan (December 28, 2011).SBS, '연예대상' 17개 수상 부문 발표 [SBS announces 17 award categories for 'Entertainment Awards'].Naver (in Korean).Archived from the original on December 18, 2022. RetrievedDecember 19, 2022.
