Director of the 10-million admissions hit <The King and the Clown> (2005) and CEO of [Cineworld Entertainment], LEE Joon-ik is actively engaged in production, distribution, and other film-related fields. His movies are known to have simple and honest plots and visuals and heart-warming genuine stories, as can be seen in the comedy flick <Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield> (2003) and a Vietnam War drama <Sunny> (2008). He directs and produces movies that are ...More

Director of the 10-million admissions hit <The King and the Clown> (2005) and CEO of [Cineworld Entertainment], LEE Joon-ik is actively engaged in production, distribution, and other film-related fields. His movies are known to have simple and honest plots and visuals and heart-warming genuine stories, as can be seen in the comedy flick <Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield> (2003) and a Vietnam War drama <Sunny> (2008). He directs and produces movies that are easily approachable by most audiences. In 2011, LEE presented <Battlefield Heroes>, the sequel to <Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield> (2003). The Silla dynasty, after taking over Baekjae, form a unison with Tang dynasty of China to attack Koguryo. As in the case of his previous works, the film was a comedy featuring slang-based humor and political satire, reminding us of modern-day Korea; yet the film didn’t meet its anticipated box-office success. Subsequently, LEE announced his retirement as a commercial film director. But three years later he returned with the melodrama Hope, which starred SEOL Kyung-gu and UHM Ji-won. Dealing with a family’s recuperation following the traumatic abuse of their young daughter, the film was a solid performer in late 2013, earning some awards recognition along the way. For his next work, LEE set his sights on a larger project, teaming with star SONG Kang-ho for the period drama <The Throne>. The film proved a massive hit, as well as an award-winner, earning Best Film at the Tallinn Black Night Film Festival, among others. In early 2016, he made his first foray into the indie realm with the black and white Colonial Era drama <Dongju: Portrait of a Poet>, with writer and producer SHIN Yeon-shick. The film was an unexpected hit at the beginning of the year.Less