A backlight unit suitable for realizing a high-quality image. The backlight unit according to the present invention is a direct type, which is disposed under a liquid crystal panel to irradiate light to a back surface of the liquid crystal panel. The backlight unit includes a light source unit having a plurality of light source regions formed on a substrate, each of the light source regions driven separately and having at least one light emitting diode. The backlight unit also includes partitions provided on the substrate and disposed between the light source regions of the light source unit, and a circuit for controlling and driving the light source unit.