'Agent Kim Reactivated' actor Lee Dong-ha gave up Italian citizenship to serve in Korean military

Lee Dong-ha, who plays Nam Sil-jang in the hit SBS drama series "Agent Kim Reactivated," has drawn attention after it emerged that he renounced his Italian citizenship to complete South Korea's mandatory military service.

Lee, 43, was born in Italy while his parents were studying abroad and lived there until age 3.

Although he held Italian citizenship, he later renounced it and acquired South Korean citizenship.

On SBS Power FM's "Dusi Talchul Kultoo Show" in 2016, Lee said "I gave up my Italian citizenship to serve in the military," adding, "My parents are Korean, and I had no reason to go live in Italy, so I let it go."

In "Agent Kim Reactivated," Lee plays Nam Sil-jang, chief of staff to Ju Gang-chan (played by Ju Sang-wook) — a character who carries out his superior's misdeeds without hesitation. One scene drew particular attention: Nam Sil-jang pulls out all the teeth of a character known as Geum I-bal, played by Jo Bok-rae.

Lee is also known as the husband of Sojin, a member of the K-pop group Girls' Day. The two married in November 2023, having first met on the set of the 2021 film "Goegimaensyon."