Meet the actress quietly powering Netflix's Korean hits
Lee Sang-hee / Captured from her social media
You may not know her name, but you've seen her everywhere on Netflix
There is one actor who seems to be appearing in nearly every major Netflix hit these days: Lee Sang-hee.
Following standout roles in the Netflix original series "If Wishes Could Kill" and "Teach You a Lesson," Lee has continued to expand her presence this year through two productions that have captured the attention of viewers around the world.
After winning multiple best supporting actress awards for the 2024 Netflix film "My Name Is Loh Kiwan," Lee reflected on her career during an acceptance speech, saying, "I am hopelessly in love with acting. I will continue that love in the future."
As her remarks suggested, the passion she has devoted to acting over many years is now paying off through memorable performances in successful productions.
Released on June 5, "Teach You a Lesson" recorded 6.4 million views — calculated by dividing total viewing hours by the show's runtime — within just three days of its release. The series topped Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English TV rankings and reached No. 1 in 10 countries, including Korea, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. It also entered the Top 10 rankings in 48 countries, further highlighting its global popularity.
The 10-episode series follows the activities of the Educational Rights Protection Bureau, a fictional organization that steps in to restore order in schools and support victims. By addressing the issue of teachers' rights, a major topic of discussion in Korea, the drama has resonated with viewers both at home and abroad.
In the third episode, Lee plays teacher Jung Sun-young, who tries to guide Han Ye-ri, a high school influencer with 600,000 followers portrayed by Park Seo-yoon, back on the right path. Despite the erosion of classroom authority around her, Jung remains committed to the role and values of a teacher.
Lee's nuanced performance brought realism to the character and left a strong impression on viewers.
A scene from "If Wishes Could Kill" / Courtesy of Netflix
Her role in "Teach You a Lesson" contrasted sharply with her performance in "If Wishes Could Kill," released in April.
In the mystery thriller, Lee underwent a dramatic transformation to portray the shaman Eop-sun, a mysterious figure whose unsettling presence heightened the show's atmosphere of fear. With disheveled hair, an eerie demeanor and unreadable motives, she presented a side of herself rarely seen before.
She further broadened her acting range by portraying a mother's obsessive determination to save her daughter at any cost, creating a character that was both disturbing and convincing.
Lee has developed a particularly strong relationship with Netflix over the years. She has appeared in numerous Netflix productions, including "All of Us Are Dead," "Juvenile Justice," "Daily Dose of Sunshine," "My Name Is Loh Kiwan" and "The Price of Confession."
Although the genres and characters varied from project to project, Lee consistently brought her own distinct style to each role, enhancing the overall quality of the productions. Her reputation as an actor capable of elevating a project regardless of whether she is cast in a leading or supporting role has steadily grown.
Like many actors, Lee's success did not happen overnight.
Since 2010, she has built her career through independent films, gradually establishing a unique position in the industry. Early in her career, she boldly introduced herself as "the Jeon Do-yeon of independent cinema" and worked steadily to become an actor worthy of that description.
Her ability to portray warmth and kindness one moment, then reveal a chilling edge beneath a gentle exterior the next, has become one of her defining strengths. She is also known for drawing out the complex inner worlds of seemingly ordinary characters.
Rather than relying on flashy techniques, Lee is praised for naturally blending into her roles, a quality that many consider irreplaceable among actors of her generation.
After expanding her career from independent films to streaming platforms and television dramas, Lee has firmly established herself as one of the industry's most dependable performers.
Her momentum is expected to continue with her next project. Lee will return in the KBS2 weekend miniseries "The Husband," premiering in July, where she will play the mysterious Kim Kyung-ae and showcase yet another transformation.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.