South Korean actress Lee Si Won has officially become a mother. According to a May 20 statement from her agency KX Entertainment, the 37-year-old star “gave birth to a daughter at the end of last month,” adding that “both the mother and baby are healthy.”
Quiet arrival, warm wishes
Because the birth occurred several weeks before the news broke, Lee initially learned of the public’s reaction through a flood of congratulatory calls and messages. “I didn’t even know the article had come out,” she told Hankook Ilbo in a phone interview, laughing that well-wishers tipped her off before she’d had time to post the news herself.
A name with meaning
Lee revealed that her daughter’s name is Si-woo, a sweet fusion of one syllable from each parent’s name. “At first she looked like me, but she’s starting to resemble my husband more every day,” the actress said, marveling at how quickly her newborn’s features are changing.
From Seoul National University to stardom
Long beloved for pairing intellectual credentials with acting talent, Lee majored in Business Administration at Seoul National University and later completed a master’s in evolutionary psychology at the same institution. She debuted in the 2012 KBS historical drama The Great King’s Dream and has since built an eclectic résumé that ranges from intense thrillers like God’s Gift – 14 Days and Misaeng to the globally streamed reality hit The Devil’s Plan on Netflix.
A low-key love story
Lee married a fellow Seoul National University alumnus—now a practicing doctor—in 2021 after several years of private courtship. Their relationship has remained largely out of the spotlight, a tradition the couple appears keen to continue as they move into parenthood.
What’s next?
Although motherhood is Lee’s top priority for the moment, she hinted that her professional hiatus will be short-lived. “It’s been about a month since I gave birth, and I’m starting to feel like myself again,” she said, noting that commercial shoots and potential film projects are already on her radar once she completes post-partum recovery.
Industry reaction
Colleagues and fans alike have flooded social media with congratulations. Industry insiders say brands are eager for Lee’s return, pointing to her broad demographic appeal and reputation for balancing intellect with relatability—qualities likely to resonate even more now that she embodies the working-mom image so prominent in contemporary Korean media.
For Lee Si Won, the birth of baby Si-woo signifies more than a personal joy; it marks a fresh chapter in a life that has continually defied expectations—from the lecture halls of Korea’s top university to the demanding sets of hit dramas. As she embraces motherhood, fans can anticipate a new layer of depth in both her public persona and future roles.
