Korean cinema icon Lee Jung Jae may have more than 30 years of acting success behind him, but he’s not slowing down anytime soon. Fresh off Squid Game’s worldwide triumph, the Emmy Award winner is now setting his sights firmly on Hollywood — both in front of and behind the camera.
“I still cannot believe that I did something to deserve this great honour,” Lee, 52, tells The Straits Times. “I’m glad we got to tell a story from Asia to the whole world, and that viewers around the world could relate to it.”
Lee was in Singapore on October 3 for Tatler Ball Asia, where he received the prestigious Chaplin Award for reshaping perceptions of Asian talent in global entertainment. “I am honoured to be receiving this Chaplin Award, and I totally feel the weight of it,” he said during his acceptance speech. “I feel more nervous receiving this award today than when I received the Emmy.”
He continued, “It’s a strange mixture of feelings because Mr Chaplin is someone I have deep respect for and deeply love. He was an amazing artiste and film-maker. Having received this award in Singapore is such a meaningful occasion for me.”
From Seoul to the Stars
Best known for playing the destitute yet defiant Player 456 in Squid Game, Lee has become one of South Korea’s most recognized actors internationally. But his ambitions have expanded far beyond the screen — he’s determined to build a directing career that can resonate globally.
After his directorial debut Hunt (2022) premiered at Cannes and earned critical acclaim and several best director awards at home, Lee is now writing his second feature. “I’m in the process of preparing the casting of actors for the project. I hope the production can start in 2026,” he shares.
His goal: to bridge Korean storytelling sensibilities with Hollywood’s scale and reach. That path began when Lee made his English-language debut in Star Wars: The Acolyte, portraying Jedi Master Sol. “I have been receiving a lot of great scripts from the US,” he says. “I will make a decision on a potential new project probably towards the end of the year.”
The Power of Squid Game’s Global Fandom
Since Squid Game launched in 2021 and concluded earlier this year, its cultural impact has endured. Lee remains deeply moved by the series’ reception and its fans.
“We visited so many countries to promote the series. Being able to talk to a lot of the fans was probably one of the most important moments in my career,” he reflects.
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On the controversial finale that saw his character’s fate in question, he says, “I know that many fans are sad about the Squid Game ending, but Hwang believes it was truly the best ending for the series.”
He adds, with a characteristic air of calm reassurance, “I know Hwang is preparing for his next project. So, hopefully, that will offset some sadness the fans are feeling about the end of Squid Game.”
Expanding His Range
Even as he plans his next directorial outing, Lee continues to explore new creative sides. This November, he returns to television in the romantic comedy Nice To Not Meet You on Prime Video — his first venture into the genre. He plays Lim Hyeon-jun, a typecast detective actor opposite The Glory’s Lim Ji-yeon as an ambitious journalist.
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It’s a lighter turn for Lee, whose recent roles have leaned darker and more introspective. Yet, true to his disciplined craft, he approaches it with the same intensity as his other projects. “A project takes a lot of people’s efforts and a great deal of investment,” he says. “That’s why I work very diligently for every single project. Of course, I love making good memories with the cast and crew, but it’s just as important to have a good result.”
Grateful for the Korean Wave
Having witnessed South Korea’s cultural ascent firsthand, Lee feels a special pride in being part of the country’s continued cinematic evolution.
“I was greatly influenced by movies from Hong Kong and China when the movie industries there were booming,” he says. “I was so happy when those films reached South Korea. So, I feel tremendously grateful that the Korean wave is spreading across Asia and beyond.”
With Squid Game’s three seasons now dominating Netflix’s global charts and his Hollywood opportunities multiplying, Lee Jung Jae stands at the helm of a new chapter — one where he may soon be known not only as Korea’s most charismatic leading man, but also as one of its most visionary global directors.
