Lee Seung-hyun has built a career that spans two countries and several entertainment roles. Born and raised in Los Angeles, this Korean-American performer made his name as a K-pop idol before crossing over into acting and hosting in China. Whether you’re curious about his time in the boy band T.A.K.E., his marriage to Chinese actress Qi Wei, or just want to separate fact from online confusion, here’s what you need to know.

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Full name: Lee Seung-hyun (Korean: ) ·
Also known as: Nathan ·
Date of birth: October 30, 1984 ·
Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, USA ·
Nationality: Korean-American ·
Known for: Singer, actor, host; former member of T.A.K.E.

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact date and location of his first meeting with Qi Wei
  • Full list of his acting roles in China
3Timeline signal
  • 2003 — debuts with T.A.K.E. (Genius)
  • 2005 — group disbands (Genius)
  • 2010s — moves to Chinese entertainment (CPophome)
  • 2014 — marries Qi Wei (AsiaOne)
4What’s next
  • As China’s entertainment market evolves, his career may expand further.

Seven key facts summarise Lee Seung-hyun’s identity and career milestones:

Full name Lee Seung-hyun ( )
Stage name Nathan
Date of birth October 30, 1984
Place of birth Los Angeles, California, USA
Occupation Singer, actor, host
Former group T.A.K.E.
Spouse Qi Wei

What is Lee Seung-hyun known for?

Early life and background

  • Lee Seung-hyun was born on October 30, 1984, in Los Angeles, California (Genius artist profile). He is also known by the English name Nathan Scott Lee and the Chinese name Li Chengxuan ( ) (Genius artist profile).
  • He is widely described as a Korean-American performer working in China (The Movie Database profile).

His background gives him a unique bilingual and bicultural edge that few K-pop idols leverage when entering the Chinese market.

Career with T.A.K.E.

  • He was a member of the K-pop group T.A.K.E., which debuted in 2003 (Genius artist profile).
  • According to CPophome fan site, he made his debut as a singer on March 28, 2003.
  • T.A.K.E. reportedly disbanded around 2005 (Genius artist profile).

The pattern: T.A.K.E.’s short lifespan is typical of early-2000s Korean boy bands that failed to break into the mainstream, but for Lee it opened a door to a different market.

Solo work in China

  • After his idol career, he worked primarily as an actor and singer in the Chinese market (Genius artist profile).
  • CPophome states that Lee Seung-hyun moved to China in 2006 to pursue acting (CPophome fan site).
  • He is also known as a host on Chinese variety shows (CPophome fan site).

Why this matters: Lee’s shift from K-pop to Chinese entertainment reflects a larger trend of Korean artists seeking opportunities in China’s booming showbiz industry.

TL;DR: Lee Seung-hyun, a Korean-American performer, transitioned from K-pop group T.A.K.E. to a successful career in China. He is married to Chinese actress Qi Wei and lives in China. He is not the actor who played Thanos in Squid Game.

How did Qi Wei and Lee Seung-Hyun meet?

Qi Wei’s career overview

  • Qi Wei is a Chinese actress and singer who has worked extensively in mainland China and Hong Kong (Wikipedia biography).

Her fame in China’s entertainment circle made a cross-border romance with Lee Seung-hyun newsworthy.

Their relationship timeline

  • Lee Seung-hyun and Qi Wei reportedly met through work in the Chinese entertainment industry (CPophome fan site).
  • A Vietnamese entertainment report says the couple’s relationship became public in 2013 (VnExpress celebrity news).
  • The same report notes they were spotted together at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil before the wedding news (VnExpress celebrity news).

The implication: their relationship developed organically through shared industry circles, matching the common pattern of celebrity couples in China’s entertainment scene.

Is Seung-Hyun married?

Spouse information

The marriage was publicly confirmed via media statements.

Wedding details

  • According to CPophome fan site, the wedding took place on September 8, 2014, at Caesars Palace Hotel in Las Vegas.
  • Wikipedia’s entry on Stephy Qi states the marriage occurred in Las Vegas in 2014 (Wikipedia biography).

The ceremony was private, with only close family and friends attending.

Where does Seung Hyun live?

Residence in China

  • Lee Seung-hyun primarily resides in China due to his work commitments (CPophome fan site).
  • He moved to China in 2006 to pursue acting and has since established a career there (CPophome fan site).

His relocation reflects the broader trend of Korean entertainers expanding into the Chinese market.

International travel

  • He maintains ties to the United States, where his family resides and where he was born (Genius artist profile).
  • He has been spotted in the US for family visits and events, such as the wedding in Las Vegas.

The catch: While he is a US citizen by birth, his professional life is centered in China.

Who plays Thanos on Squid Games?

Actor details

  • The character Thanos in the Netflix series Squid Game is not played by Lee Seung-hyun. (Wikipedia Squid Game cast)
  • This confusion likely arises from the similar name “Lee Seung-hyun” and the actor who plays Thanos in Squid Game, which is actually a different actor (Lee Seung-hyun is not in the cast).

Why this matters: Name similarities can cause confusion online, and it’s important to clarify that Lee Seung-hyun is not associated with Squid Game.

Role in the series

  • The character Thanos is a minor role in Squid Game, played by a Korean actor with a different name.
  • Lee Seung-hyun’s work is primarily in K-pop and Chinese entertainment, not in the Korean drama Squid Game.

The pattern: This is a common mix-up due to the common Korean name “Lee Seung-hyun” and the popularity of Squid Game.

Lee Seung-hyun is married to Chinese actress Qi Wei.

— AsiaOne lifestyle coverage

Lee Seung-hyun moved to China in 2006 to pursue acting.

— CPophome fan site profile

Note: The confusion with Squid Game’s Thanos character is a common online error. Lee Seung-hyun has never been part of that series.

Warning: Some dates, such as the exact meeting date with Qi Wei, are not confirmed by official sources. The timeline above is based on media reports and fan sites.

Additional sources

en.namu.wiki, en.namu.wiki, scmp.com, en.wikipedia.org

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lee Seung-hyun’s English name?

His English name is Nathan Scott Lee, often shortened to Nathan.

Is Lee Seung-hyun still active in entertainment?

Yes, he continues to work as an actor and host in China.

What happened to T.A.K.E. the band?

The group disbanded around 2005 after a short career.

Does Lee Seung-hyun have children?

Yes, he and Qi Wei have two children: a daughter born in 2015 and a son born in 2022, according to multiple sources.

Has Lee Seung-hyun acted in any K-dramas?

No, his acting career has been primarily in China, not in Korean dramas.

What is Lee Seung-hyun’s net worth?

Exact net worth is not publicly available, but his career in China likely provides substantial income.

Is Lee Seung-hyun active on social media?

He maintains a presence on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo, but not on Western platforms.

Where can I watch Lee Seung-hyun’s dramas?

His Chinese dramas are available on streaming platforms like iQiyi and Youku.