Lee Yoo-mi: Career, Emmy Win, Height & Latest Projects

Few performances in recent memory have struck viewers as hard as Ji-yeong’s final moments in Squid Game — the player who chose marbles and a quiet goodbye. The actress behind that scene, Lee Yoo-mi, turned that single episode into a historic milestone: she became the first Korean actress to win a Primetime Emmy Award in 2022. This article traces her career from early film roles to global recognition and the deliberate choices that define her trajectory.

Birth date: July 18, 1994 ·
Birthplace: Jeonju, South Korea ·
Agency: Varo Entertainment ·
Breakout role: Ji-yeong / Player 240 in Squid Game (2021) ·
First Korean woman to win Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (2022) ·
Instagram followers: Over 6 million (as of 2025)

Across key categories, Lee Yoo-mi’s professional and personal profile is consistent with a rising star who maintains a careful public presence.

Bottom line: Lee Yoo-mi’s official record shows a disciplined career arc, but her personal life remains deliberately offstage — a trade-off that allows her to let her work speak.

Is Lee Yoo-mi Married?

Lee Yoo-mi’s relationship status (as of 2025)

No verified reports indicate that Lee Yoo-mi is married or in a publicly acknowledged relationship. According to Wikipedia (open encyclopedia), her personal life is not widely documented. She has never confirmed a partner or spouse in interviews or on social media.

Has Lee Yoo-mi ever publicly dated?

There are no credible dating rumors or confirmed relationships attached to her name. Her Instagram feed (@leeyoum262) focuses on professional projects, behind-the-scenes shots, and fashion — not romantic partners. As reported by Far Out Magazine (music and culture outlet), “Lee Yoo-mi keeps her romantic life completely private.”

The implication: Lee Yoo-mi’s privacy is a deliberate brand choice, not neglect. Audiences who seek personal gossip will find a closed door; those who care about performance will find a rich catalog.

What Is Lee Yoo-mi’s Latest Project?

Upcoming dramas and films (2025)

Lee Yoo-mi’s most recently confirmed project is the film The Childe, set for release in 2025, as listed on Apple TV (streaming platform profile). Prior to that, she appeared in the Netflix series The Uncanny Counter 2 (2023) and starred as Gang Nam-soon in Strong Girl Nam-soon (2023) — also documented on her Apple TV profile.

Recent roles: Squid Game, All of Us Are Dead, Young Adult Matters

• Squid Game (2021) — Global breakthrough as Ji-yeong/Player 240. Emmy-winning performance. (Television Academy — official Emmy organization)
• All of Us Are Dead (2022) — Played the antagonistic Lee Na-yeon, a student who prioritizes academics over survival. (Apple TV — streaming platform)
• Young Adult Matters (2020) — Lead role in an indie film about teenage pregnancy, earning critical praise. (Wikipedia — open encyclopedia)

The pattern: Lee Yoo-mi chooses projects that challenge her range — from a vulnerable player in Squid Game to a ruthless student in All of Us Are Dead. Each role extends her repertoire without repeating the last.

Who Was the First Korean Woman to Win an Emmy?

Lee Yoo-mi’s historic Emmy win for Squid Game

At the 2022 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Lee Yoo-mi won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in Squid Game. The Television Academy (official Emmy organization) lists her as the recipient, and she is the first Korean actress to win any Primetime Emmy category — a milestone confirmed by Apple TV (streaming platform).

Details of the Outstanding Guest Actress award

• Year: 2022 (Creative Arts ceremony).
• Episode: “Kkanbu” (Squid Game, season 1).
• Competition: Included established stars from Euphoria and Succession.
• Impact: Her win was widely reported as a breakthrough for Korean performers in U.S. television awards. (Far Out Magazine — music and culture outlet)

Why this matters: The Emmy win transformed Lee Yoo-mi from a supporting player in a hit series into a symbol of Korean drama’s global legitimacy. It also opened doors for other Korean actors at U.S. award shows.

What Are Lee Yoo-mi’s Most Notable Roles?

Squid Game (2021) – Ji-yeong/Player 240

Her role as the quiet, self-sacrificing Player 240 earned instant recognition. The marbles episode, where she willingly loses to her friend, became one of the series’ most emotional scenes. The Television Academy (official Emmy organization) highlights the performance as the reason for her Emmy nomination and win.

All of Us Are Dead (2022) – Lee Na-yeon

In this zombie horror series, Lee Yoo-mi played a wealthy, academically ambitious student who becomes a villain — a complete departure from her Squid Game character. The role demonstrated her range. (Apple TV — streaming platform)

Young Adult Matters (2020) – Lead role

Before the global fame, Lee Yoo-mi carried an indie film about a teenager navigating an unplanned pregnancy. The film was released in 2020 and received positive reviews for its raw portrayal. (Wikipedia — open encyclopedia)

Lee Yoo-mi filmography highlights

Eight projects illustrate her career arc:

Eight titles across 15 years, one pattern: each project escalates her profile without repeating the same archetype. For more on Korean actors navigating privacy and controversy, see our profile on Seo Ye-ji.

What Is Lee Yoo-mi’s Height and Personal Details?

Height, age, birthplace, agency

• Height: Reportedly 160 cm (5 ft 3 in) according to AsianWiki (fan-contributed database) — not officially confirmed by a medical source.
• Age: 30 (born July 18, 1994). (Television Academy — official Emmy organization)
• Birthplace: Jeonju, South Korea. (Television Academy — official Emmy organization)
• Agency: Varo Entertainment. (Apple TV — streaming platform)

Instagram and social media presence

Her Instagram handle is @leeyoum262, with over 6 million followers as of 2025. The account is verified and features promotional content, personal photos, and glimpses of her daily life. (Instagram — verified account)

The trade-off: fans get professional updates and occasional behind-the-scenes content, but no access to her personal life. This model keeps the focus on her work and minimizes tabloid pressure.

Timeline

• July 18, 1994 — Born in Jeonju, South Korea. (Television Academy — official Emmy organization)
• 2009/2010 — Acting debut in The Yellow Sea. (Wikipedia — open encyclopedia)
• 2020 — Lead role in film Young Adult Matters. (Wikipedia — open encyclopedia)
• 2021 — Breakout role as Ji-yeong in Squid Game on Netflix. (Television Academy — official Emmy organization)
• 2022 — Won Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress; first Korean woman to win an Emmy. (Television Academy — Creative Arts Emmys video)
• 2022 — Played Lee Na-yeon in All of Us Are Dead. (Apple TV — streaming platform)
• 2025 — Upcoming film The Childe. (Apple TV — streaming platform)

Confirmed Facts vs. What’s Unclear

Quotes from Key Voices

“I am very honored to receive this award. Thank you to the Television Academy and to all the Squid Game team for this incredible journey.”

— Lee Yoo-mi, during her 2022 Creative Arts Emmy acceptance speech (Television Academy)

“Lee Yoo-mi brought a quiet intensity to the role that elevated the entire episode. She is a remarkable talent.”

— Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, as quoted in Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)

Bottom line: Lee Yoo-mi is what her record shows — a disciplined actress who uses global platforms to expand Korean storytelling. For viewers: watch her upcoming projects to see range. For the industry: she is a model of privacy-preserving stardom. The risk: overexposure from her breakout role. The reward: continued artistic growth across genres.

Her breakthrough came with her role as Player 240 in the global phenomenon Squid Game.

Frequently asked questions