When Lee Sun Kyun played the composer Cho Han Sung in "Coffee Prince," his character had plenty of endearing romantic dialogue. In real life, the actor can also be quite romantic when describing his wife, actress Jeon Hye Jin.
At a pre-wedding press conference in 2009, he told reporters that she was an actress he admired during his university days and that he was honored to be marrying her. Jeon Hye Jin appears in the dramas "Romance Hunter" and "I'm Sorry I Love You," as well as the films "Antique," "The Naked Kitchen" and this year's "The Terror Live."
When the two met at a dinner party it was love at first sight, at least for him.
"After about 15 minutes, I gained the courage to ask for her phone number," said Lee. "Jeon Hye Jin was reluctant and I later heard she wasn't interested."
The actor persevered and eventually Jeon Hye Jin began to find him attractive. By 2008, they were thinking about marriage but were not bold enough to make the commitment. By 2009, they knew it had to be.
"When we first considered marriage, we became anxious, so we decided to cool off and have some time alone," said the actor, who played a celebrity chef in "Pasta" and a trauma doctor in "Golden Time."
As part of their cooling off period Jeon Hye Jin blocked off all communication and went traveling.
"During that time I became uneasy and thought that we could not be separated. I thought that although it was a passionate relationship starting with love at first sight, we also had a sweet harmonious relationship for six and a half years and I knew I could not break up with her. I laughed when I thought that and realized that I was going to have to marry her."
And marry her he did on May 23, 2009. During the ceremony he serenaded his bride. Their sons were born in November 2009 and August 2011.
This spring the couple appeared together in "Love, Love, Love," a play by Mike Bartlett. The title is based on lyrics from the Beatles' song "All You Need Is Love." Lee Sang Woo translated and directed the play about two middle-aged people who once longed for freedom and now have a comfortable if ordinary life. They consider their past and realize that despite their young ideals, they are happy together and have everything they ever really wanted.
