John H. Lee's films showcase his exceptional cosmopolitan sensibilities, making him one of the most sought-after directors in East Asia and a rising star in international cinema. Born in Seoul, Korea, Lee moved to the U.S. at the age of 12 and later graduated from New York University's film school.
Lee made his feature debut with "The Cut Runs Deep," a poetic independent film about East Asian youth gangs in New York City, which gained a cult following after running the festival circuit and being released in Korea in 2000.
Since his successful debut, Lee has directed numerous international music videos and TV commercials in East Asia and Europe, eventually returning to Seoul in search of his spiritual roots. In 2004, he directed his second feature film, "A Moment to Remember," a love story about a man and a woman separated by the slow loss of the woman's memory. The film became the highest-grossing domestic film in the romance genre in Korean cinema history and was later released in Japan, where it became the most successful Korean film ever.
Lee's third feature film, "Sayonara Itsuka," was an experimental challenge that saw him make a flawless Japanese-language film with top Japanese actors, utilizing the best Korean film crew. The film was widely acclaimed and became a critical and box office hit in Japan.
Lee's fourth opus, "71/ Into the Fire," was a historical Korean War epic based on a true story about a group of 71 student soldiers fighting to protect a school during the outset of the Korean War.
Lee has also ventured into Chinese cinema, directing "The Third Way of Love," a love story between a wealthy corporate heir and a beautiful, recently divorced lawyer.
Recently, Lee saw box office success in Korea with "Operation Chromite," a true story about an intel-warfare between South and North Korea during the Korean War, which starred A-list Korean actors and featured Liam Neeson in a prominent role.
John H. Lee is represented by C.A.A.
