Lee Seung-gi receives Buddhist award amid family estrangement, remains committed to his faith
Lee Seung-gi, right, poses after receiving Buddhist award at Jogyesa Temple in downtown Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
Singer and actor Lee Seung-gi has been honored with a major Buddhist award, even as he publicly distances himself from his in-laws following the controversy surrounding his wife's family.
On Monday, Lee attended the Buddha’s Birthday ceremony for the Buddhist Era 2569 at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul’s Jongno District, where he received the 2025 Buddhist Devotee of the Year award.
The award recognizes individuals who embody Buddhist teachings in their daily lives, contribute to social and national development and elevate the presence of Korean Buddhism.
The selection committee of the Jogye Order, Korea’s largest Buddhist sect, announced Lee as the recipient last month, citing his role in the film “Big Family” as a significant contribution to spreading Buddhist values and sentiments to the public.
Lee was also recognized for his involvement in Buddhist outreach efforts, including serving as a host for a national music concert during last year’s Seon Meditation Summit. He further donated 100 million won (about $73,000) to the Jogye Order’s millennium temple construction project titled “Building the Millennium.”
Lee Seung-gi / Xportsnews
Lee, known to be Christian until 2016, made headlines when it became known that he had converted to Buddhism before marrying actor Lee Da-in, the daughter of actor Kyeon Mi-ri. Lee Da-in, her sister Lee Yu-bi, and their mother all come from a Buddhist background. Lee’s public appearances wearing prayer beads and attending Buddhist events further highlighted his personal shift in faith.
However, Lee recently announced through his agency that he and his wife would sever ties with her family following legal controversies involving his father-in-law. Kyeon Mi-ri’s husband — and Lee Da-in’s stepfather — has faced public scrutiny over stock manipulation allegations. Though Lee initially defended his in-laws, the Supreme Court ruled against them last June, prompting renewed backlash.
In a statement released last month, Lee said, “Due to a similar illegal act, my father-in-law has now been indicted again. I cannot express how devastated I am.” He added, “I deeply regret making hasty statements last year without fully understanding the situation. I believe that any unlawful conduct must be met with appropriate punishment.”
Lee concluded, “After much deliberation, my wife and I have decided to cut ties with her family.”
This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.