Lee Dong Wook’s Birthday: 5 Reasons We Can’t Get Enough Of The Actor

As Lee Dong Wook turns 40 on November 6, we’d like to take the opportunity to reiterate that he’ll forever be our ‘ahjussi but feels like oppa’. He’s played a Grim Reaper, a psychopath serial killer (for which he won an aptly titled ‘Dangerously Attractive Character’ Award), a mythical Gumiho (nine-tailed fox) and many other unforgettable characters over the last two decades.

Impeccable looks and acting chops aside, let’s take a look at five reasons we can’t get enough of Lee Dong Wook.

1) He’s an adorably awkward dancer

We bet you to watch this clip of Lee Dong Wook dancing at a fan meet (to TT by Twice, no less!) and not feel the second-hand embarrassment. He may not count ‘dancing like a K-pop idol’ among his many talents but he’ll do it regardless because the fandom wants it. And we love him for it.

2) He’s great with kids

Diaper changes? Check. Piggyback rides? Check. Playing ball? Check. Lee Dong Wook proved he can be a hands-on dad, with his appearances on The Return of Superman — a reality-variety TV show, where he babysat his celebrity footballer friend Lee Dong-gook’s five children. The kids sure kept him on his toes. Catch a glimpse below:

3) He’s all for fan service

From mock dates to recreating iconic romantic scenes from his TV shows with a few lucky audience members, Lee Dong Wook has time and again displayed his maeryuk (Korean for inexplicable charm) at fan meets and Asia tours. You can count on him to indulge us with some aegyo (excessively cute mannerisms) or do 2 hour-long live streams, all for his adoring fans. Side note: Can we please decide on a fandom name soon?

4) He’s just a giant baby we want to crush into a hug sometimes

Here’s proof that something called Baby Wook exists and the world is a better place because of it:

5) He’s an amazing singer

In 2019, 20 years after his acting debut, he launched his own talk show, Wook Talk, and fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams. One of the episodes features his and singer BoA’s rendition of La La Land’s City of Stars. And dare we say, it’s even better than the original.