Sang-il Lee
- Known For
- Directing
- Born
- January 6, 1974 in Niigata, Japan
- Active Years
- 2000–2025 (26 Years)
- Total Credits
- 26 credits in database
Biography
Sang-il Lee is a film director and screenwriter based in Japan. Born on January 6, 1974, in Niigata, Japan, he is a third-generation Zainichi Korean who was raised in Yokohama. His professional work includes directing and screenwriting, with sixteen known credits. His debut project, Chong, was a short film focusing on the lives of third-generation Zainichi Koreans. Lee gained recognition for his film Hula Girls, which was named the best Japanese film of 2006 by Kinema Junpo. For this work, he received the Best Director and Best Screenplay prizes at the 2007 Japanese Academy Awards. His film Unforgiven was featured in the Special Presentation section of the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. His films frequently examine societal issues and human conflict.
Career overview
Sang-il Lee is a film director and screenwriter based in Japan. Born on January 6, 1974, in Niigata, Japan, he is a third-generation Zainichi Korean who was raised in Yokohama. His professional career includes sixteen known credits in the film industry, and he is recognized for exploring themes of human conflict and societal issues within his work.
His directorial debut was the short film Chong, which focused on the lives of third-generation Zainichi Koreans living in Japan. He gained significant critical recognition for his 2006 film Hula Girls, which was named the best Japanese film of the year by Kinema Junpo. For his work on Hula Girls, Lee received the Best Director and Best Screenplay prizes at the 2007 Japanese Academy Awards. Throughout his career, he has earned multiple honors at the Japan Academy Film Prize, including awards for Picture of the Year and Director of the Year. In 2013, his film Unforgiven was selected for the Special Presentation section at the Toronto International Film Festival. Beyond his primary work as a director and screenwriter, he is also credited as an actor in the 2009 film Castaway on the Moon.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Sang-il Lee.
Career timeline
Full Filmography
26 titles- Kokuho (2025) Director
- Pachinko (2022) Director
- The Wandering Moon (2022) Writer
- The Wandering Moon (2022) Director
- The Blue Hearts (2017) Director
- Rage (2016) Director
- Rage (2016) Screenplay
- Unforgiven (2013) Director
- Unforgiven (2013) Screenplay
- Kaidan Horror Classics (2010) Director
- Kaidan Horror Classics (2010) Screenplay
- Villain (2010) Director
- Villain (2010) Screenplay
- Kaidan Horror Classics (2010) Director
- The Short Films: We Were All Once Children (2008) Director
- Hula Girls (2006) Director
- Hula Girls (2006) Screenplay
- Scrap Heaven (2005) Writer
- Scrap Heaven (2005) Director
- 69 (2004) Director
- Border Line (2003) Director
- Border Line (2003) Writer
- Blue – Chong (2000) Writer
- Blue – Chong (2000) Director
- Tagatame Director
- Tagatame Writer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Sang-il Lee best known for?
Sang-il Lee is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Kokuho (2025), Pachinko (2022), Memories (1995), Memories (1995).
When and where was Sang-il Lee born?
Sang-il Lee was born on January 6, 1974 in Niigata, Japan.
How many credits does Sang-il Lee have?
Sang-il Lee has accumulated over 26 film and television credits across a career spanning from 2000 to 2025.
What is Sang-il Lee's background in cinema and television?
Sang-il Lee is a film director and screenwriter based in Japan. Born on January 6, 1974, in Niigata, Japan, he is a third-generation Zainichi Korean who was raised in Yokohama. His professional work includes directing and screenwriting, with sixteen known credits. His debut project, Chong, was a short film focusing on ...
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on Sang-il Lee.