YONHAP NEWS

Korean Wave queen Lee Young-ae married in U.S.

SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korean actress Lee Young-ae, widely popular across Asia, has married a Korean businessman in the United States, her legal consultant said Tuesday, surprising fans everywhere.

Lee, 38, was married on Monday in the United States to a 54-year-old man from an IT firm, Dongin Law Group said in a press release. Lee will reside in the U.S. but will continue her acting career in Korea, it said.

The wedding was attended by family members and close acquaintances only, and Lee will not be disclosing her husband's profile or wedding pictures for privacy reasons, Dongin said.

   In the press release, Lee expressed "deep apologies" for having been unable to personally announce her marriage through an official press conference.

   Lee, considered one of the most influential actresses in South Korea with a broad fan base built on the Korean Wave throughout East and Southeast Asian countries, debuted in a television commercial in 1991. She started gaining stardom in TV dramas and movies with her composed image and acting prowess.

   Lee's popularity exploded after her starring performance in the popular Korean drama "Jewel in the Palace (Dae Jang Geum)," which was first released overseas in 2004 and quickly won a following. The fictional historical drama reached as far as Iranian television in 2007 and drew 86 percent of viewers, an unprecedented record for a Korean show.

   She was named best actress in Korea's Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2005 and at Baeksang Art Awards in 2006 for the film "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance," directed by Park Chan-wook. In 2007, she received the Medal of Culture Merit from the South Korean government for her contribution to the Korean Wave phenomena.

   Despite her fame, Lee has always been considered somewhat of a "secretive celebrity," rarely showing her face on variety talk shows and successfully keeping her personal life private.

   hayney@yna.co.kr
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