Lee Jin-wook returns to civilian life

89 March 6, 2011March 6, 2011

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

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Tags: army duty, Lee Jin-wook

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1 koreampuff

March 6, 2011 at 7:04 PM

YEEEEEEEEEEEEE I see the other celebs.
LEE DONG GUN <3

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Yenna

March 6, 2011 at 9:38 PM

Lee Dong Gun <3

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LotusW

March 7, 2011 at 1:43 AM

LEE DONG GUN - shiiiii. MISSSSINGG YOU!!!

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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!

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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 :(

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Lena S.

March 6, 2011 at 8:29 PM

i think Jo In Sung discharge is in April/May this year but i'm not sure.

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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.

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Baron

March 6, 2011 at 7:42 PM

HAHA. Yeah. Hope he won't get turn off after he found out that his beloved noona is already aging. LOL.

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gykey

March 6, 2011 at 7:58 PM

It's like vintage wine, more aging more tastier..... Yeah!!!! Don Juan is back... to night..

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SpongeBob

March 7, 2011 at 1:22 AM

Not vintage wine please, it is a near expiry bottle of zucchini.

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SpongeBob

March 7, 2011 at 1:20 AM

Puppy is now a full blown doggie, I guess hw will soon find out his nonna, no longer a crunchy zucchini, but has turn yellow prickled one, with an expiry date, on huge discount on the dusty shelf!!!

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annie

March 7, 2011 at 12:03 PM

That's kind of mean.

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SpongeBob

March 7, 2011 at 12:29 PM

The label of the bottle is called jiwoo hime, not popular on the Korean shelf, but very popular on the Japanese convenient shops.

Agreed it is mean. But, it is best that she comes to realize it now, then regretting her fonder over the doggie in the future!!!!

SpongeBob

March 7, 2011 at 1:14 PM

For your info and light entertainment

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/may/12/marrying-younger-man-woman-mortality

YouTube: Tom and Jerry and the downhearted duckling. CJW as Jerry and LJW as the duckling.

http://www.google.com.my/search?q=tom+and+jerry+downhearted+duckling&hl=en&client=safari&prmd=ivns&source=univ&tbs=vid:1&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=J0p1TfL4CoHJrQeh693RCg&ved=0CCcQqwQ

gingganggolli

March 7, 2011 at 3:29 PM

Agreed it is mean. But, it is best that she comes to realize it now, then regretting her fonder over the doggie in the future!!!!

...now your acting god that you know whats best for her! crazy! what are you? the evil mother of the doggie? are we having a typical kdrama here....

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SpongeBob

March 7, 2011 at 3:47 PM

no Madam!! I am no god. it is just that I have followed her news very closely since the beginning of 2003; have analyze her four pillars of destiny, kept copies of the evolution of her palms, and read the fengshui of her house (based on pictures). No one can change her destiny, if she ultimately decides the road less traveled!!

In other words, I am not addicted to jiwooism, but a person who study "Jiwootology"!! LOL

gingganggolli

March 7, 2011 at 7:23 PM

“…it is just that I have followed her news very closely since the beginning of 2003; have analyze her four pillars of destiny, kept copies of the evolution of her palms, and read the fengshui of her house…”

Goodness that’s the creepiest! And I bet, you have stored voodoo doll in your closet, the exact replica of CJW and making your ugliest treat/wishes morning till night…

SpongeBob

March 7, 2011 at 8:11 PM

You watch too much Sign!! LOL!!

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.

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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.

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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. :)

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seattlebound

March 6, 2011 at 7:43 PM

ps: I loved Lee Dong Gun too.
and seeing LJW back, gives me hope that the same thing will soon happen for Binnie.

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12 ditdut

March 6, 2011 at 7:42 PM

AHHHHHHHHHHH, I see Andyyyyyyy!!

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aPAM

March 6, 2011 at 11:05 PM

I no rite?!?! I miss those We Got Married days...

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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

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14 mary

March 6, 2011 at 7:44 PM

AAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!! He's back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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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!

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Phyllis

March 6, 2011 at 8:58 PM

Agree with you on his performance in "Someday." It makes me want to see more of him. That particular drama was so refreshing in many ways!

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hanjiyoon

March 6, 2011 at 9:48 PM

Yes! "Someday" was an amazing drama! Him and Bae Doona were so cute. What a compelling story.

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gailT

March 7, 2011 at 7:08 AM

I agree. I loved Someday.

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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

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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. ^^

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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.

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JJ

March 7, 2011 at 4:38 PM

i luv shin dong wook too did u mean he's in one of the photos here? i'm sorry i'm afraid i didn't u/stand your msg huhuhu sorry!

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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!

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20 SpongeBob

March 6, 2011 at 9:46 PM

Yeah!! Puppy dog is back!!!

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21 Nanzspazz

March 6, 2011 at 10:27 PM

Awwww...he's back!! and LDG and KJS are looking mighty fine!!

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22 jj

March 6, 2011 at 10:30 PM

hey javabeans, would you mind covering the recent news about Jang Ja Yeon's case?

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SpongeBob

March 6, 2011 at 10:56 PM

Google her name, you will find a lot of names.

it is the unwritten rule in the entertainment industry. In exchange for money and fame, I guess most A list stars now were once in her shoes, especially those who have no good university degrees or some sort of family background.

it should be interesting to see who else is on the list.

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gykey

March 7, 2011 at 12:13 AM

Are you saying that CJW is one of them in those files during her coffee serving days? Now she has made tons of money, have fresh smell linen, she can raise a young husband inferior to her now . Sorry LJW, you will have to bow to your elderly wife daily like you did to your mother. You have a lot chores to do when you move into her bungalow. First thing .. come.. warm up my feet....

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SpongeBob

March 7, 2011 at 1:04 AM

It is within your conservative imagination of cjw, and your wild imagination of her puppy!!!

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gykey

March 7, 2011 at 4:18 AM

Uh? Puppy? Conservative and wild.. sounds confused. Wild imagination on noona and conservative on leashed puppy or the other way round. Yucks! I don't want to eat zucchini anymore.

SpongeBob

March 7, 2011 at 5:23 AM

the puppy was once coined the "sausage boy" in the army because he wanted an extra sausage, but was first denied, so like his usual styles that wanted publicity, made a big show over this denial, he was then granted an extra sausage.

You may be finding it yuck to eat zucchini, but please remember don't fight with CJW or her doggy over a sausage!!!

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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?

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SpongeBob

March 7, 2011 at 1:01 AM

Google Hun bin, you will see him squat down and pay homage to you, while wiping his tears big time....sob!sob! Sob?

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grasya

March 7, 2011 at 2:33 AM

haha, i'm sobbing! : )

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Shin mi rAe

March 7, 2011 at 7:30 AM

Right you are. Binnie's tears made me cry.

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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?

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SpongeBob

March 7, 2011 at 12:59 AM

He has 6 to 10 days off per year where he can leave the camp and having time to play doggie to his noona. The rest of the holidays, they accrued it, in order to get early release.