Paul Sun-Hyung Lee is a Canadian-South Korean actor and television host who rose to fame as the stern yet lovable Appa in Kim’s Convenience, crossed into the Star Wars galaxy as Captain Carson Teva, and brought Uncle Iroh to life in Netflix’s live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Born in South Korea and raised in Canada, Lee spent years building a stage career before becoming a household name. His journey from a reluctant immigrant child who tried to shed his heritage to a celebrated actor playing some of the most iconic roles in pop culture has made him a fan favorite and a symbol of representation.
Lee’s work spans theatre, television, and film, earning him four Canadian Screen Awards and a reputation for bringing warmth and depth to every character he inhabits.
Who Is Paul Sun-Hyung Lee?
Key Insights
- Paul Sun-Hyung Lee is a Canadian-South Korean actor whose career spans theater, television, and blockbuster franchises like Star Wars and Avatar.
- He gained mainstream recognition as Randy Ko on Kim’s Convenience, then broke into Star Wars as Captain Carson Teva in The Mandalorian.
- In 2024, he voiced and portrayed Uncle Iroh in Netflix’s live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender.
- He maintains an active social media presence under the handle @angryappa, sharing family life and geek culture.
- Lee won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series four times for his work on Kim’s Convenience.
- He made his television debut in 1989 on the series Gideon Oliver.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Paul Sun-Hyung Lee |
| Born | August 16, 1972 |
| Birthplace | Daejeon, South Korea |
| Nationality | Canadian-South Korean |
| Ethnicity | Korean Canadian |
| Profession | Actor, television host, theatre performer |
| Years Active | 1993–present |
| Education | University of Toronto |
| Notable Roles | Randy Ko (Kim’s Convenience), Captain Carson Teva (The Mandalorian), Uncle Iroh (Avatar: The Last Airbender) |
| Awards | 4× Canadian Screen Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series; Toronto Theatre Critics’ Awards Best Actor (2012) |
Is Paul Sun-Hyung Lee Married? What Is His Personal Background?
Personal Life and Family
The available sources do not identify Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s wife or confirm that he is married. His Instagram bio refers to family life, but no spouse name has been made public.
No official source lists Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s wife or confirms his marital status. The information is not available from Wikipedia, IMDb, or interview transcripts.
Ethnicity and Early Life
Lee is of Korean descent. He was born in Daejeon, South Korea, and his family immigrated to Canada when he was three months old. In interviews, he described a childhood marked by cultural tension: he tried to assimilate, felt embarrassed by being different, and pushed away his Korean language and customs before later reconnecting with his heritage through acting.
Height
Height is not listed in any authoritative source. Fan sites sometimes estimate it around 5’9″ (175 cm), but this is unconfirmed.
What Are Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s Most Famous Movies and TV Shows?
Kim’s Convenience
Lee originated the role of Randy Ko, known as Appa, in both the stage and television versions of Kim’s Convenience. The CBC/Netflix sitcom ran from 2016 to 2021 and made Lee a star in Canada and beyond. He also performed the role in Off-Broadway and national tour productions with Soulpepper.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian
Lee first appeared as Captain Carson Teva in Season 1 of The Mandalorian (2019) and has reprised the role in subsequent Star Wars projects. The character, a New Republic pilot, has become a recurring favorite in the franchise.
Lee’s Captain Carson Teva appears in The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and is expected to continue in future Star Wars series.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (Live-Action)
In 2024, Lee took on the role of Uncle Iroh in Netflix’s live‑action adaptation. He is set to return for Season 2, expected in 2026.
Other Notable Work
Earlier television credits include Train 48 (as Randy Ko), Gideon Oliver, and appearances on Canada Reads, Fandemonium, and the Kids in the Hall revival. Film roles include Ice Princess (2005), P2, and The Echo. Lee also built a substantial theatre career in Canada before his screen breakthrough.
Lee won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series four times for Kim’s Convenience, and received the Toronto Theatre Critics’ Awards Best Actor citation in 2012 for his stage performance in the same role.
What Is Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s Career Timeline?
- 1972 – Born in Daejeon, South Korea; later immigrates to Canada.
- 1993 – Begins acting career in Canadian theater and television.
- 2016–2021 – Stars as Randy Ko in Kim’s Convenience (CBC/Netflix).
- 2019 – First appears as Captain Carson Teva in Star Wars: The Mandalorian.
- 2024 – Plays Uncle Iroh in Netflix’s live‑action Avatar: The Last Airbender.
- 2025 – Returns as Iroh in Avatar Season 2; continues Star Wars appearances.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born in 1972 in South Korea, raised in Canada | Height is reported as around 5’9″ on fan sites but no official source |
| Married with children (as per Instagram bio) | Wife’s name and details are not publicly available |
| Played Randy Ko, Captain Carson Teva, and Uncle Iroh | Financial net worth is not disclosed |
Why Does Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s Career Matter?
Paul Sun-Hyung Lee represents a growing wave of Asian-Canadian actors crossing over from independent theater and sitcoms into major franchise roles. His trajectory from Kim’s Convenience to Star Wars and Avatar highlights the industry’s shift toward diverse representation. His dual heritage and authentic portrayals have made him a fan favorite and a symbol of positive Asian representation.
Quotes and Sources
“Choose kindness, always.”
– Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s Instagram bio (@angryappa)
“He’s one of the most humble and hard-working people in our business.”
– Performers Magazine interview (2026)
For more details, see the Wikipedia entry, IMDb profile, Instagram (@angryappa), Performers Magazine interview, and Jedi News interview. Also consult Apple TV biography.
Summary
Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s career reflects a remarkable journey from a shy immigrant child to a beloved actor in some of the world’s biggest franchises. His four‑time Canadian Screen Award‑winning performance in Kim’s Convenience, his recurring role in Star Wars, and his portrayal of Uncle Iroh in Avatar: The Last Airbender have cemented his place in pop culture. For readers interested in similar actor profiles, see Dylan Llewellyn Movies and TV Shows and Kaya Scodelario Movies and TV Shows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s Instagram handle?
His Instagram handle is @angryappa.
What is Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s real name in Korean?
His Korean name is Lee Sun-hyung (이선형).
Is Paul Sun-Hyung Lee active on YouTube?
Yes, he runs a YouTube channel called Bitterasiandude Inc.
What is Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s role in Star Wars?
He plays Captain Carson Teva, a New Republic pilot, primarily in The Mandalorian.
Does Paul Sun-Hyung Lee have children?
His Instagram suggests he has children, but no further details are publicly confirmed.
How did Paul Sun-Hyung Lee start acting?
He trained at the University of Toronto and began his career in Canadian theatre, making his television debut in 1989.
When did Paul Sun-Hyung Lee play Iroh?
He portrayed Uncle Iroh in the 2024 Netflix live‑action Avatar: The Last Airbender.
What awards has Paul Sun-Hyung Lee won?
He has won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series four times and the Toronto Theatre Critics’ Awards Best Actor citation.
Is Paul Sun-Hyung Lee married?
The public record does not name his wife, but his social media indicates he has a family.
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Grace Hollis is Film & Music Editor at StoryNative.uk, covering film releases, music news, soundtracks and awards season.