Wikipedia

Ma Dong-seok

(Redirected from Don Lee (actor))
"Don Lee (actor)" redirects here. For other people of that name, see Don Lee.
In this Korean name, the family name is Lee. In the stage name or pen-name, the surname is Ma.

Lee Dong-seok (Korean: 이동석; born March 1, 1971), better known by the stage names Ma Dong-seok (마동석) and Don Lee, is an American[1] actor and film producer based in South Korea. With his breakout performance in Train to Busan (2016) and subsequent leading roles, he has become one of the most successful actors from South Korea. He was Gallup Korea's Film Actor of the Year in 2018 and in 2023.[2]

Ma Dong-seok
Ma at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
Lee Dong-seok

(1971-03-01) March 1, 1971 (age 53)
Seoul, South Korea
Other names
  • Don Lee
  • Ma Dong-seok
CitizenshipUnited States
EducationColumbus State Community College
Occupations
  • Actor
  • film producer
Years active2005–present
AgentBig Punch Entertainment
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2021)​
Sports career
Height178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight90 kg (200 lb)
SportArm wrestling
Korean name
Hangul
마동석
Hanja
馬東錫[citation needed]
Revised RomanizationMa Dongseok
McCune–ReischauerMa Tongsŏk
Birth name
Hangul
이동석
Hanja
李東錫
Revised RomanizationI Dongseok
McCune–ReischauerI Tongsŏk
Websitebigpunchent.com

Early life

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Ma was born in South Korea. He had South Korean citizenship until 1989 (when he was aged 19), after which he forfeitted his South Korean citizenship and became an American citizen. He returned to South Korea at age 30 and began acting.[1]

Career

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Ma rose to fame for his supporting roles in the films The Neighbor, Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time, and The Unjust.[3] He then played leading roles in Norigae, Murderer, and One on One.[4][5]

Ma's role in the zombie film Train to Busan propelled him to international popularity.[6] His subsequent leading roles in films Derailed, The Bros, The Outlaws, Unstoppable, Champion, The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil, The Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos and The Roundup along with supporting roles in Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days and Ashfall have met with critical and commercial successes led him to Most Bankable Star of Korean Cinema.[7][8][9][10] Although known for his 'tough guy' persona roles, Ma is often celebrated and criticized for playing similar roles in his movies.[11] In 2019, he joined the cast of the MCU film Eternals as Gilgamesh which marked his Hollywood debut.[12]

On television, Ma is known for his roles in the hit OCN series Bad Guys and Squad 38.[13][14]

In 2022, Ma signed a contract with LDH Japan, another large Japanese agency.[15] His 2022 release action crime thriller The Roundup, sequel to his 2017 film The Outlaws not only opened to unanimous positive reviews but also became the highest-grossing film of 2022 by surpassing 12 million admissions for the first time since 2019 and all time 3rd highest grosser in South Korea.[16][17][18]

In 2024, dystopian film Badland Hunters in which Ma is playing role of wasteland hunter was released on 26 January on Netflix.[19]

Other activities

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Under his Westernized name, Don Lee, and before he turned to acting, Ma was the personal trainer of mixed martial artists Mark Coleman and Kevin Randleman.[20]

 
Ma in 2016

With his production company Team Gorilla,[21] Ma is currently involved in planning and writing screenplays. He worked on the screenplay for the film Deep Trap, in which he starred.[22] He is also the co-creator of the OCN Dramatic Cinema series Team Bulldog: Off-Duty Investigation.[23]

Armwrestling

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Ma has been an amateur armwrestler since 2008, and he became the president of Korea Armwrestling Federation in 2018.[24]

Personal life

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In 2016, Ma was reportedly dating sports reporter and media personality Ye Jung-hwa [ko].[25] On October 20, 2022, Ma's agency stated that he and Ye had registered their marriage the previous year. The wedding ceremony would be held at a later date, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and busy schedules.[26][27]

Filmography

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Main article: Ma Dong-seok filmography(Spirit 2026)

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2012 33rd Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Supporting Actor The Neighbor Nominated
2013 49th Baeksang Arts Awards Won [28]
22nd Buil Film Awards Nominated
17th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival It Award — Won
2016 5th APAN Star Awards Best Supporting Actor Squad 38 Nominated
25th Buil Film Awards Familyhood Nominated
37th Blue Dragon Film Awards Train to Busan Nominated
2017 8th KOFRA Film Awards Won [29]
11th Asian Film Awards Nominated
53rd Baeksang Arts Awards Nominated
22nd Chunsa Film Art Awards Nominated
2018 Golden Egg Awards Best Actor The Outlaws Won [30]
54th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor (Film) Nominated [31]
23rd Chunsa Film Art Awards Best Actor Nominated [32]
2nd Korea China International Film Festival Best Actor Won [33]
2022 Beautiful Artist Awards
(Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation) 		Film Artist Award The Roundup Won [34]
9th Korean Film Producers Association Awards Best Actor Won [35]
2022 Kinolights Awards Actor of The Year (Domestic) 5th [36]
2023 Visionary Awards[a] 2023 Visionary — Won [38]
59th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor – Film The Roundup Nominated [39]

Listicles

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Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Cine21 2021 Actors that will lead Korean Video Content Industry in 2022 6th[b] [40]
Gallup Korea 2017 Gallup Korea's Film Actor of the Year 2nd
2018 1st [41][42]
2019 2nd [43][44]
2020 3rd [45]
2021 3rd
2022 2nd
2023 1st
The Screen 2019 2009–2019 Top Box Office Powerhouse Actors in Korean Movies 10th [46]

Notes

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  1. ^ Visionary Awards, which started in 2020, selects and awards people who lead roles in the Korean entertainment industry. It highlights the meaning and achievements of a person whose chosen trend keywords penetrated the entertainment industry, including broadcasting, movies, music, and performances, and presents the next vision of the cultural sector with outstanding achievements and influence.[37]
  2. ^ mentioned together with Wi Ha-joon, Kim Soo-hyun, Jo Jung-suk, Park Jeong-min, Kim Seon-ho, Song Kang-ho, Ahn Bo-hyun, Ryu Jun-yeol, Choi Woo-shik

References

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  1. ^ a b "마동석, 한국 국적인줄 알았는데 외국 국적이라 놀란 스타 1위". 서울경제 (in Korean). August 5, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  2. ^ Nam, Yoo-jung (December 12, 2018). 마동석, 하정우·이병헌 누르고 '올해 빛낸 영화배우' 1위 [Ma Dong-seok beats Ha Jung-woo and Lee Byung-hun to win 1st place in 'Film actor of the Year']. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021 – via Naver.
  3. ^ Hwang, Hee-yeon; Kim, Hyung-seok (October 17, 2014). "10 Scene Stealers⑤ - MA Dong-seok: Wild but Tender". Korean Cinema Today. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  4. ^ Park, Si-soo (April 1, 2014). "Watch out! They 'steal' scenes, your heart". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on April 1, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  5. ^ "An interview with Ma Dong-seok: "One On One"". MBN Star. June 2, 2014. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2018 – via HanCinema.
  6. ^ "'Train to Busan' takes Don Lee to Hollywood". The Korea Times. September 28, 2016. Archived from the original on March 6, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  7. ^ "Tough guy film star finds success being sweet : Known for aggressive roles, Ma Dong-seok is not afraid to be cute". Korea JoongAng Daily. November 18, 2016. Archived from the original on March 6, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  8. ^ "[INTERVIEW] Ma Dong-seok to rise as new hero in crime action genre". The Korea Times. October 1, 2017. Archived from the original on March 6, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  9. ^ "The many personalities of Ma Dong-seok: Actor's ability to play a wide range of characters has led to his success". Korea JoongAng Daily. November 10, 2017. Archived from the original on March 6, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  10. ^ "'The Roundup' tops 10 mln admissions in S. Korea". The Korea Herald. June 11, 2022. Archived from the original on June 11, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  11. ^ "Ma Dong-seok's heroism grows stale: Some are calling out the star's most recent films for their depiction of women". Korea JoongAng Daily. December 1, 2018. Archived from the original on January 22, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  12. ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (April 17, 2019). "Marvel Studios Taps Ma Dong-seok for 'The Eternals' (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  13. ^ "Park Hae-jin, Ma Dong-suk go 'manly adorable'". The Korea Herald. October 5, 2014. Archived from the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  14. ^ "Sooyoung, others to star in new OCN drama". Korea JoongAng Daily. March 4, 2016. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  15. ^ Jo Ji-young (January 11, 2022). "[SC이슈] "韓→美 이어 日진출"...마동석, EXILE·m-flo 소속사 LDH 재팬과 전속계약..글로벌 행보ing" [[SC Issue] "Korea → America, followed by Japan"... Dong-seok Ma, exclusive contract with LDH Japan, the agency of EXILE·m-flo.. Global movement] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022 – via Naver.
  16. ^ James Marsh (May 23, 2022). "The Roundup movie review: Ma Dong-seok, Son Suk-ku face off in riotously entertaining sequel to 2017 action thriller The Outlaws". South China Morning Post (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  17. ^ Jo Yeon-kyung (June 11, 2022). 기적을 현실로 '범죄도시2' 팬데믹 후 '첫 1000만'...'기생충' 이후 3년만 [Turning miracles into reality 'Crime City 2' After the pandemic, the 'first 10 million'... 3 years after 'Parasite'] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022 – via Naver.
  18. ^ Jeong Hyung-hwa (June 27, 2022). 마동석 '범죄도시2' 40일만에 1200만 돌파 [Ma Dong-seok's 'Crime City 2' surpasses 12 million in 40 days] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022 – via Naver.
  19. ^ Kim Bo-ra (November 2, 2023). 마동석x이희준x이준영x노정의 '황야', 넷플릭스 공개 확정[공식] [Ma Dong-seok x Lee Hee-jun x Lee Jun-young x Noh Jeong's 'Wilderness' confirmed for Netflix release [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN [ko]. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023 – via Naver.
  20. ^ '마동석, 30kg 감량 전후 비교해보니..'헉' 소리 날 정도. OSEN [ko] (in Korean). November 6, 2012. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  21. ^ 마동석의 '팀고릴라'도 영화계 뜨거운 시선 [Ma Dong-seok's "Team Gorilla" is (Korean) cinema's hot topic]. The Dong-A Ilbo. November 18, 2017. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  22. ^ "(News Focus) 4 movie stars whose talents go beyond acting". Yonhap News Agency. August 18, 2016. Archived from the original on July 12, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  23. ^ Park, Ah-reum (January 31, 2020). '번외수사' 측 "차태현X이선빈X정상훈X윤경호, 첫 만남부터 범상치않아". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021 – via Naver.
  24. ^ "[K스타] 잘 나가는 마동석, 팔씨름연맹 이사 된 사연은?". Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  25. ^ 마동석-예정화, 3개월째 교제중이다. HuffPost Korea (in Korean). Huffington Post. November 18, 2016. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  26. ^ Park, Pan-seok (October 20, 2022). [단독] 마동석 "작년에 이미 예정화와 혼인신고..코로나19로 결혼식 미뤄"(인터뷰) [[Exclusive] Ma Dong-seok "Last year, I already registered my marriage with an upcoming wedding... postponed the wedding due to Corona 19" (interview)]. OSEN [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 20, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022 – via Naver.
  27. ^ Kim, Hyun-rok (October 20, 2022). 마동석♥예정화, 이미 부부...지난해 혼인신고 마쳤다 "결혼식은 내년" [Ma Dong-seok ♥ Jeon Jeong-hwa, already married... I finished registering my marriage last year, "The wedding will be next year"]. SpoTV News (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 20, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022 – via Naver.
  28. ^ Ji, Yong-jin (May 13, 2013). "RYU Seung-ryong Wins Grand Prize at Baeksang Arts Awards". Korean Film Biz Zone. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  29. ^ "THE WAILING Triumphs at Korean Film Reporters Association Awards". Korean Film Biz Zone. January 24, 2017. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  30. ^ "Don LEE Takes Best Actor Performance at Golden Egg Awards". Korean Film Biz Zone. February 9, 2018. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  31. ^ 제54회 백상예술대상, TV·영화 각 부문별 수상 후보자 공개. JTBC (in Korean). April 6, 2018. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  32. ^ 제23회 춘사영화제 5월18일 개최..홍상수·김민희 참석하나. Newsen (in Korean). May 3, 2018. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  33. ^ "Kim Hee-ae, Ma Dong-seok honored". Korea JoongAng Daily. November 14, 2018. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  34. ^ Yang Jeong-woo (October 11, 2022). 아름다운예술인상'에 마동석·신구·이우석·하춘화·조은지 [Ma Dong-seok, Shin Goo, Lee Woo-seok, Ha Chun-hwa, Jo Eun-ji for 'Beautiful Artist Award] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022 – via Naver.
  35. ^ Kim Ji-hye (December 15, 2022). 마동석, 제작가협회 남우주연상 "항상 저를 위해 기도해주는 아내 감사" [Ma Dong-seok, Producers Association Best Actor Award "Thanks to my wife who always prays for me"]. SBS Entertainment (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  36. ^ Kim Ji-woo (December 21, 2022). 뜨거웠다' 박해일, 박은빈 그리고 손석구 ['It Was Hot' Park Hae-il, Park Eun-bin and Son Seok-gu] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022 – via Naver.
  37. ^ Lee, Min-ji (November 24, 2021). 윤여정-황동혁-유재석-BTS-에스파-최정남, 2021 비저너리 선정 [Youn Yuh-jung-Hwang Dong-hyuk-Yoo Jae-suk-BTS-Aespa-Choi Jung-nam, 2021 Visionary Selection]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  38. ^ Jang Su-jeong (January 3, 2023). 아이유·이정재·나영석 등 10명, CJ ENM '2023 비저너리' 선정 [10 people including IU, Lee Jung-jae, Na Young-seok, selected as CJ ENM '2023 Visionary] (in Korean). Dailyian. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2023 – via Naver.
  39. ^ Cho, Yeon-kyung (April 7, 2023). 제59회 백상예술대상, TV·영화·연극 최종 후보 공개 [59th Baeksang Arts Awards, TV/Film/Play Finalists Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023 – via Naver.
  40. ^ 2022년 주목해야 할 작품과 배우는...한국 영상산업 리더 62명이 꼽았다. Cine21 (in Korean). December 31, 2021. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  41. ^ Nam, Yoo-jung (December 12, 2018). 마동석, 하정우·이병헌 누르고 '올해 빛낸 영화배우' 1위 [Ma Dong-seok beats Ha Jung-woo and Lee Byung-hun to win 1st place in 'Film actor of the Year']. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021 – via Naver.
  42. ^ Lee, Do-yeon (December 13, 2018). '미스터 션샤인' 이병헌·김태리, 올해를 빛낸 탤런트 1·2위 ['Mr. Sunshine' Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae-ri ranked first and second in the talent that shined this year]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  43. ^ Jo, Yeon-kyung (December 17, 2019). 송강호, 2019년 빛낸 영화배우 1위...마동석 2위·공유 3위 [Song Kang-ho, the best actor in 2019... Ma Dong-seok 2nd place, Gong Yoo 3rd place]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  44. ^ Moon, Ji-yeon (December 17, 2019). '동백꽃 필 무렵' 공효진X강하늘, 올해를 빛낸 탤런트 나란히 정상 ['When the Camellia Blooms' Gong Hyo-jin and Kang Ha-neul, the talents who shined this year, side by side]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  45. ^ 2023년 올해를 빛낸 영화배우 - 최근 17년간 추이 포함 [A movie star who shined this year in 2023 - including the trend of the last 17 years]. www.gallup.co.kr. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  46. ^ "2009~2019 한국영화 배우 흥행 파워 2위~10위" [2009~2019 Korean movie actor box office power 2nd to 10th]. thescreen.co.kr. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
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