Biography

1981 · Seoul, South Korea

Graduated from Dankook University.

Director Hyun-ju Lee said she will immediately retire from film making. She was found guilty of a sexual assault against another woman in the industry in an incident that took place in 2015. In December, Lee, acclaimed for her debut feature Our Love Story (2016), received a two-year jail sentence, suspended for three years, plus 40 hours of sex education therapy. In early Feb. 2018 Lee was stripped of an award she received from Women in Film Korea in late 2017. The organization said it did not know of the charges, or verdict against her, when it awarded the prize [Variety].

Following the sexual assault scandal, the Directors Guild of Korea terminated Hyun-ju Lee's membership in 2018.

Although I accept the [court] ruling, I feel I have been falsely accused... I agree that my behavior has hurt the victim and the victim's boyfriend, regardless of the reasons. Thanks for those who supported and liked Our Love Story (2016). I am sorry to disappoint many people. To me movies were all I had in life, and I lived for it until now. However, I will quit working in the film industry to take responsibility for the issue. [Feb.2018]

I admit and regret that my actions have caused great pain. I take responsibility for this incident and will no longer work in the film business. [statement released to the local press, Feb.2018]