Lee Yong-yi (Korean: 이용이; Hanja: 李龍伊; born July 30, 1958) is a theater, television and movie actress.^[1][2] She is known for her role as Nomo both in theater play and film Welcome to Dongmakgol (2005)^[3][4] and Netflix Series Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021).^[5]

After graduating from Seoul Institute of the Arts, in 1979, Lee joined Theatre Company Minye^{[lower-alpha 1]} where she made her acting debut in the play Broken Jar by Heinrich von Kleist.^[3]

In 1986, Lee joined Theater Company Michu^{[lower-alpha 2]} and participated in several notable productions. One of her notable performances was the role of Hyeong-bang in Madangnori Chunhyangjeon (1987-1992).^[8] She also performed in play Dung Dung Nakrang Dung (둥둥 낙랑둥) as King Bang Sook in July 12 to 24, 1996, at Towol Theater, Seoul Arts Center.^[9]

In 1991, Lee Yong-yi acted in Park Kwang-soo's film I Want to Go to That Island. She played the character Ne Eop-sun, a shaman who lived on the island with her husband. Interestingly, her real-life husband, actor Kim Il-woo, portrayed the role of the shaman's husband in the movie.^[4] The movie was released in 1993, So the year officially became her first big screen debut.^[10][11][12]

In 1995 Lee Yong-yi cast as Gwibone in play That Woman's Novel, adapted from the novel "Little Grandmother!" by playwright Um In-hee. It was a refinement of a work published in 1989 by the writer Um In-hee in Another Cultural 3rd Collection. The play, directed by Kang Young-geol, was performed at the 19th Seoul Theater Festival in June 1995 at the Arts Center Small Theater. Lee Yong-yi received the 19th Seoul Theater Festival Female Acting Award for her portrayal.^[13]

In 1998, Lee became leader of the theater company Hyun Bin (玄牝) which was established by her husband, actor and theater director Kim Il-woo.^[4][14] Their first production was an adaptation of Lee Moon-yeol's original novel, "Choice."^[15]

Since 2017, Lee Yong-yi has been under an exclusive contract with Liyan Entertainment.^[16] She later moved to High Entertainment.^[11]

In addition to her acting career, Lee also possesses musical talent. She studied Gyeonggi folk songs under the guidance of the master pansori singer Ahn Bok-sik (1926–97).^{[lower-alpha 3]} Furthermore, she served as a lecturer on music and acting at Sungkyunkwan University Social Education Center.^[4]

Lee Yong-yi's late husband was Kim Il-woo, an actor and theater director. They met while they were both attending Seoul Institute of the Arts, where he was her senior in the theater department. They had two children together. Sadly, he passed away in 2004 due to stomach cancer.^[4]

Lee Yong-yi's older brother, Lee Dae-geun [ko], is also an actor. He appeared in productions such as 'The Third Republic' and 'The Fourth Republic'. However, he has not been active in the industry since his appearance in 'Fermented Family'.^[12]