Lee Yong-yi (; born July 30, 1958) is a South Korean actress active in theater, television, and film. She is widely recognized for her portrayal of Nomo in both the stage and film versions of Welcome to Dongmakgol (2005) and for her role in the tvN series Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021).
After graduating from the Seoul Institute of the Arts in 1979, Lee debuted with the Theatre Company Minye in a production of Heinrich von Kleist's The Broken Jug. In 1986, she joined the joined Theater Company Michu, where she appeared in several significant productions. Her notable stage credits include the role of Hyeong-bang in Madangnori Chunhyangjeon (1987âÂÂ1992) and King Bang Sook in Dung Dung Nakrang Dung, performed at the Seoul Arts Center in 1996.
In 1995 Lee Yong-yi cast as Gwibone in play That Woman's Novel, adapted from the novel "Little Grandmother!" by playwright Um In-hee. It was a refinement of a work published in 1989 by the writer Um In-hee in Another Cultural 3rd Collection. The play, directed by Kang Young-geol, was performed at the 19th Seoul Theater Festival in June 1995 at the Arts Center Small Theater. Lee Yong-yi received the 19th Seoul Theater Festival Female Acting Award for her portrayal.
Lee made her cinematic debut in Park Kwang-soo's 1993 film I Want to Go to That Island. In the film, she portrayed Ne Eop-sun, a shaman, appearing alongside her real-life husband, actor Kim Il-woo, who played the character's spouse.
In 1998, Lee assumed leadership of the theater company Hyun Bin, which was founded by her husband. The company's inaugural production was an adaptation of Lee Moon-yeol's novel Choice.
Since 2017, Lee Yong-yi has been under an exclusive contract with Liyan Entertainment. She later transferred to High Entertainment.
Beyond acting, Lee is trained in Gyeonggi folk songs, having studied under the pansori master Ahn Bok-sik (1926âÂÂ1997). She has also contributed to arts education as a lecturer on music and acting at the Sungkyunkwan University Social Education Center.
Lee was married to the late actor and theater director Kim Il-woo. The couple met while attending the Seoul Institute of the Arts, where Kim was her senior in the theater department. They had two children together. Kim died in 2004 following a diagnosis of stomach cancer.
Lee's older brother, , is also a professional actor. His career includes roles in the political dramas The Third Republic and The Fourth Republic. He has retired from the entertainment industry after his performance in the series Fermented Family.
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