Lee Jin-wook returns to civilian life
by javabeans
With all the hullabaloo concentrated on a certain big-name star heading off to army duty, it’s nice to see one coming back: 29-year-old Lee Jin-wook was discharged on March 7. He completed his two years of active duty after heading off to basic training in May 2009.
Lee’s one of those actors who was just starting to get bigger roles when he headed off for military service, but hadn’t peaked yet. He had some nice supporting roles in dramas like Air City, Rivals, Someday, and Before & After: Plastic Surgery, and by “nice” I don’t mean that the dramas were that great (particularly those first two), but he was able to make an impression on viewers.
He’s perhaps better known, then, as “Choi Ji-woo’s boyfriend,” as the couple made their romance public back in February 2009. They’d met on the set of the 2007 action drama Air City, and while that drama was at times painfully boring, I did enjoy their chemistry. (I adore Lee Jung-jae as an actor, but I was much more into Lee Jin-wook’s devoted character, who was like a cute little puppy dog, full of boyish energy. Their age difference does come through — she’s got six years on him, and is 35 — but I can see him being an adoring boyfriend to his elegant noona.)
The couple had been dating for two years when they went public, and continued dating for the two years he’s been away. Aw. For some reason I just find that super sweet.
But he played coy when he was asked who he most wanted to see post-discharge, laughingly answering that he wanted to see his parents and “all the citizens of Seoul.”
Lee hasn’t yet made plans for his comeback project, and intends to rest up while “taking time to think” about it.
Spot the celebs! Other enlisted stars were there to say goodbye to Lee Jin-wook, including actors Lee Dong-gun, Kim Ji-seok, and Lee Wan, and Shinhwa singer Andy:
Via E Daily
RELATED POSTS
Tags: army duty, Lee Jin-wook
Required fields are marked *
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
1 koreampuff
March 6, 2011 at 7:04 PM
YEEEEEEEEEEEEE I see the other celebs.
LEE DONG GUN <3
Required fields are marked *
2 ohemgee
March 6, 2011 at 7:04 PM
awww...seeing kim ji seok so suddenly in the photos above just made me miss his goofy self so much! and now i'm tearing at the thought of our favorite track suit star heading off shortly... TWO YEARS?!!! i don't know if we'll make it.
also, props to the lovebirds CJW+LJW for keeping it strong for so long!
Required fields are marked *
3 snow
March 6, 2011 at 7:06 PM
seems like army has beefed him up a bit. nevertheless, nice to see him back, and it's cute that his fellow celebs said goodbye to him too.
Required fields are marked *
4 danna
March 6, 2011 at 7:15 PM
it's certainly nice to have him back, I have only seen him in one drama, Alone in Love in which he was very sweet and have been wanting to see Someday for a while now.....And seeing Kim Ji Suka and Lee Don Gun here makes me miss them
P.S....I'm really sad that the big star you mentioned is leaving tomorrow despite the fact that I have been complainig about all the hullabaloo surrounding him
Required fields are marked *
5 Alvina
March 6, 2011 at 7:22 PM
not to mention that HOT reunion! Yay!!!
I cant say I really know him as an actor but it's nice to see the men return healthy.
I hope he picks a good role! :D
Required fields are marked *
6 maez
March 6, 2011 at 7:25 PM
Awesome. I'm glad they're still dating. I also rooted for him and CJW in Air City.
Required fields are marked *
7 maria
March 6, 2011 at 7:28 PM
props to them for keeping it strong! <3 :D
wait, can anyone tell me if jo in sung's out yet? i remember jo in sung enlisted a month prior to this guy, and then lee dong wook really soon after...
anyone have any idea?? I MISS WOOKIE :(
Required fields are marked *
8 gingganggolli
March 6, 2011 at 7:31 PM
......aw so nice, I love those pic with his comrades..the hug and more hug, adorable.
So they are dating for 4 years now, I hope to hear wedding bells soon, coz CJW aint getting any younger.
Required fields are marked *
9 momosa
March 6, 2011 at 7:36 PM
Oh yes! I find him absolutely adorable. He has put on weight though! He is so in love with her, there were shots of him stealing glances at her in public.
So, so sweet.
Required fields are marked *
10 chajjye
March 6, 2011 at 7:41 PM
Lee Jin Wook!! Now that is someone I haven't seen on TV for a while. ^^
But Binnie.......T^T you know, I may be late, but now I understand what made Hyun Bin stand out and sizzle with the audience. Teehee.
Required fields are marked *
11 seattlebound
March 6, 2011 at 7:41 PM
Oh yay!!
I love LJW! i remember being so sad when he left but now he's back!
and javabeans you would be delighted to hear that I fell in love with Lee Jung Jae after watching Air city (LJW was the reason I started watching Air city) and I actually found drama beans when I was searching for something about Air city. So there you go. :)
Required fields are marked *
12 ditdut
March 6, 2011 at 7:42 PM
AHHHHHHHHHHH, I see Andyyyyyyy!!
Required fields are marked *
13 alyssia
March 6, 2011 at 7:43 PM
LEE dong gun!!!!!!! how i miss you!!!!!!so much!!!!!
I couldn't see Lee Wan though.
Lee Jin Wook is so like able but he has never able to shine. Hopefully he'll have a better career after the army.
Hopefully they'll marry. Most perfect couple!hehe
Required fields are marked *
14 mary
March 6, 2011 at 7:44 PM
AAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!! He's back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Required fields are marked *
15 annie
March 6, 2011 at 7:47 PM
I really liked him in Someday, where he was actually the lead, not a supporting actor. I liked it better than his role in Alone in Love, which I found a little obnoxious. He surprised me in Someday though, a really good heartfelt performance of someone struggling with guilt and pain, and wondering whether it's okay to move on and be happy. I cried for him.
I also enjoyed his chemistry with Bae Doona. Speeaking of which, it's a funny coincidence to see both stars of Someday on Dramabeans right after each other. They're so rarely pasted about.
I'm looking forward to LJW's next project!
Required fields are marked *
16 Giselle
March 6, 2011 at 7:47 PM
AH! I remember this guy in Family Outing! LOL. It's so funny because I don't remember his appearance in a drama/movie instead of variety show. He's so hilarious when he deliberately riled Yoo Jae Suk up. XD
Required fields are marked *
17 Bluefyre
March 6, 2011 at 8:36 PM
JB! You missed Lee Jun Ki! :D
"Ji Woo Hime" must be happy, eh? Haha! "All the citizens of Seoul" indeed. Totally laughed when I read that in the article.
Hope he gets a nice, restful break with his beloved noona. And hope picks an awesome new project. Here's to you, Lee Jin Wook. Nice to have one 'wook back. I'm still waiting for another year for the other one. ^^
Required fields are marked *
18 Jaeminuf
March 6, 2011 at 8:37 PM
Lee Jin Wook army 7 and 8 photos also have Shin Dong Wook, the lead from Soulmate.
Required fields are marked *
19 djeedjes
March 6, 2011 at 9:15 PM
why i feel jealous to know he's still with Choi Ji Woo? :P
anyhow, look forward to see him in drama again soon!
Required fields are marked *
20 SpongeBob
March 6, 2011 at 9:46 PM
Yeah!! Puppy dog is back!!!
Required fields are marked *
21 Nanzspazz
March 6, 2011 at 10:27 PM
Awwww...he's back!! and LDG and KJS are looking mighty fine!!
Required fields are marked *
22 jj
March 6, 2011 at 10:30 PM
hey javabeans, would you mind covering the recent news about Jang Ja Yeon's case?
Required fields are marked *
23 grasya
March 6, 2011 at 11:50 PM
as in, you were right when you mentioned him being Choi Ji Woo's boyfriend --- I immediately remembered him, hahaha.
I love seeing Lee Dong Gun ♥♥♥
isn't Hyun Bin supposed to enter the service today too?
Required fields are marked *
24 chong
March 7, 2011 at 12:50 AM
okay. im really confused abt the whole compulsory army thing. do these men get to go home on weekends/special holidays? Or do they just stay in camp for 2 years, losing all forms of contact with the outside world?
Required fields are marked *
25 sakura
March 7, 2011 at 2:30 AM
andy oppa..!!!!
wah long time no see...^^
Required fields are marked *
26 Jen
March 7, 2011 at 4:28 AM
I would shave my head and pretend to be a Korean man just to join their platoon. LMAO!
Required fields are marked *
27 Linda165
March 7, 2011 at 5:06 AM
LOL @ Javabeans' refusal to mention Hyun Bin's name :)
Hyun Bin
Hyun Bin
Hyun Bin
I still haven't seen Lee Jin-wook acting, but Someday is in my to watch list :)
Andyyyyyyyy!! so cute :)
Required fields are marked *
28 Pingu
March 7, 2011 at 5:40 AM
Where's noona? hiding? No where to be found?
Required fields are marked *
29 Pingu
March 7, 2011 at 6:30 AM
Damn those inconsiderate fans... poor noona can't be with her puppy...it's been 2 long years ....shouldn't the first impression counts?! What was she thinking!!!
Required fields are marked *
30 maryta
March 7, 2011 at 10:05 AM
I SO SAD THAT MY FAVORITE ACTOR TO GO TO THE ARMY!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE YOU Hyeon Bin
BE CARE OF YOURSELF
WE WAIT FOY YOU
Required fields are marked *
31 DryedMangoez
March 7, 2011 at 10:19 AM
Thanks to Someday (which is the poeticly beautiful drama Cinderella's Sister should have been), I am a big fan of Lee Jin Wook (and Bae Doona!).
Air City and Rivals/Powerful Opponents were alright. (Rivals had Kim Yoo Jung as the cute, precocious daughter before she became all award winning, fierce and awesome in Gumiho. Hehe).
Before & After was fun and I've only seen a couple of Filipino-dubbed episodes of his City of Glass.
I wonder if his first project though will be with Choi Ji Woo in her new drama. That would be cool.
Required fields are marked *
32 Yoori
March 7, 2011 at 3:31 PM
I think LJW is mediocre as an actor but he was hilarious in Family Outing!
Required fields are marked *
33 JJ
March 7, 2011 at 4:28 PM
i agree it's nice i mean always nice to see someone returning fr their service & he's one of my fave actors in Korea! welcome back! too bad CJW wasn't around to welcome him back coz of her schd i gathered! oh how nice to see the other actors saying g/byes...i missed those guys like Lee dong gun,lee wan etc. Most of all i miss my no. 1 Kim ji hoon! :)
Required fields are marked *
34 deyaa
March 7, 2011 at 6:42 PM
i just want to say..the moron spongebob is back...lol
Required fields are marked *
35 Pingu
March 7, 2011 at 8:32 PM
Absence makes the heart grow fonder?? Why didn't she do something during those 2 long years?
Spongy is getting smarter these days...Welcome back!
And I beg to differ on "smitten" bitten more like it?
Required fields are marked *
36 mizweng
March 7, 2011 at 10:03 PM
welcome back lee jin wook... if it's really true that cjw and ljw continued dating throughout the 2 years military service (and even now) then it shows what a strong relationship this 2 has... am so happy and i have all the respects for both of them... may your love flourish more and end in wedding bells? huh wishful thinking....
Required fields are marked *
37 tqah.y
March 8, 2011 at 2:13 AM
I spot Andy!! Can't wait for his comeback with Shinhwa. :D
Required fields are marked *
38 Cam
March 9, 2011 at 7:41 PM
LEE WAN!!!!!! I AM GLAD TO SEE LEE WAN WHO TALKED TO LEE JIN WOOK!!!! (my admirable favorite actor Lee Wan is at LAST picture)
YAYAY!!!!!!!
Required fields are marked *
39 flyfry
March 9, 2011 at 11:18 PM
More of spotted other heart throbs inside pictures than the real Lee Jin Wook. BTW, where is he? Will he do the smooching drama with CJW? CJW has done a lot of smooching dramas with big name actors (and fairly failed). That method won't work this time. Drama should be drama that audience want to follow the genre , not the boyfriend/girlfriend cheap publicity smooching by using screen time on TV to get the ratings swell from bed scenes.
Required fields are marked *
40 tb
March 13, 2011 at 3:38 AM
I vote for "SpongeBob" and "ginganggolli" a couple! They give me a good laugh. haha....
Required fields are marked *
41 snoklingshrimp
March 15, 2011 at 1:06 AM
Choi Ji Woo donated 200 million won for Japan's earthquake victims. I think she makes her bank account fat from Japanese CFs. 200 is too little for A-listers like her. Even rookies, came up with nearly on par with the amount. Anyway Japan is in serious disaster at the moment. She can't rely on Japanese gold cash to sell her projects to show off her boy on stage.
Required fields are marked *
42 just saying
May 18, 2011 at 8:49 AM
the romance is over...
http://www.allkpop.com/2011/04/choi-ji-woo-lee-jin-wook-end-their-five-year-relationship
it was a relationship that never was...I think CJW was on the verge of falling for YJT (that sizzling on-screen chemistry was crossing over to reality) in Star's Lover and needed a distraction...after all YJT was taken and she cannot be seen as a boyfriend grabber....that's what I think but that's just me...
Required fields are marked *