2014 was a breakout year for model-turned-actor Lee Soo Hyuk. And his efforts during that year have earned him a "Rising Star" award at the 8th Asian Film Awards. The Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) presents the award to the most outstanding rookie actor or actress of the year.
Lee will travel to Hong Kong on March 22 for interviews and then head to Macau for the March 25 awards ceremony. Choi Min Sik, Bae Doona, Jo Jin Woong, Han Ye Ri and D.O. are all nominated for the Best Korean Film Star and are expected to attend the ceremony.
It's not the first time that the actor received an award, but his previous awards were for modeling. Lee debuted as a model, appearing in such top-notch fashion magazines as GQ, Elle and Bazaar. He won a Best New Model award from the Korea fashion Photographers Association in 2007, a Best Dressed award, Model Category from 25th Korea Best Dressed Swan Awards in 2008 and Best Dressed award Actor Category in the 29th Korea Best Dressed Swan Awards in 2014.
But Lee Soo Hyuk's performances in the dramas "King of High School Savvy" and "Valid Love" have proven that he is not just a pretty face.
The tall slender actor began his acting career with small roles in such dramas as "What's Up, "Deep-Rooted Tree," "Vampire Idol" and "Shark" but it was not until he played the second lead and rivaled Seo In Guk in "The King of High School Savvy' that he truly displayed his star potential. He played a coldhearted yet vulnerable chaebol who fell for the hapless quirky office worker played by Lee Ha Na.
In past interviews Lee said that he would rather play a villain than a romantic lead.
"In romantic dramas in particular, it's the bad guy that starts the incidents so I want to try playing such a role," he said in an interview with asia.co.kr.
But his desire to play the bad guy did not stop him from playing a worthy romantic rival to Seo In Guk in the high school/office comedy. Nor did it stop him from playing the reclusive romantic carpenter Kim Joon in "Valid Love." Kim Joon not only caused Lee Si Young's character's heart to flutter but he also set hearts aflutter among the drama's audience. As a romantic rival for veteran actor Uhm Tae Woong, he also held his own. During the drama's press conference, Lee said that he saw the role as a chance to show a more human side. That may have been the key to his recent success.
