Lee Yi Kyung has become a dominant force in entertainment in 2025. His recent film success and award win have cemented his place as a star to watch, even surpassing established names like Song Hye Kyo. Is Lee Yi Kyung the biggest star of the year so far?
Hitman 2’s Box Office Success
Lee Yi Kyung returned to the big screen in Hitman 2, directed by Choi Won Seop. The film premiered on January 22nd, just in time for the Lunar New Year holiday. Hitman 2 is the sequel to the 2020 hit, Hitman. The first movie attracted over 2.4 million viewers. This sequel follows Jun (Kwon Sang Woo), a screenwriter wrongly accused of terrorism. The story unfolds as a hilarious action-packed adventure.
Lee Yi Kyung plays Cheol, the ace agent of the National Intelligence Service (NIS). His comedic timing, perfected on MBC’s How Do You Play?, shines brightly alongside veteran actors Kwon Sang Woo and Jung Jun Ho.
Kwon Sang Woo even joked, “By Hitman 5, Lee Yi Kyung will probably be the main lead!”
Jung Jun Ho also praised Lee Yi Kyung’s sharp wit, saying, “He’s quick-witted and has so many talents. His role in this movie was crucial!”
Hitman 2 became a “reverse hit,” outperforming Song Hye Kyo’s The Black Nuns at the box office. The film reached 1 million viewers in just eight days. As of January 30th, Hitman 2 has reached 1.26 million viewers. This makes it the first film of the year to achieve this milestone.
Award-Winning Variety Star
Beyond film, Lee Yi Kyung won the Best Male Excellence Award at the 2024 MBC Broadcasting Entertainment Awards on January 28th. This award recognized his work on How Do You Play?.
Lee Yi Kyung shared his admiration for Korean variety shows, stating, “What’s amazing about Korean variety is how much content they produce every week. I visited the editing room and saw how hard the staff work. I really admire people like Kim Tae Ho and Na Young Seok PD. That’s why Korean variety is so amazing, and I hope viewers continue to be supportive.”
Lee Yi Kyung‘s success in both film and television makes him a top entertainer in 2025. With the year just beginning, audiences are eager to see what he does next.
Also Read: Lee Yi Kyung Cries While Thanking Yoo Jae Suk, Saying, “He Made Me Who I Am”
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