Lee Jung-jae may have been a familiar face in South Korea for decades, but the rest of the world truly discovered him through Netflix's Squid Game. The show's long-awaited second season arrived on December 26, 2024, bringing Lee back as Seong Gi-hun, the reluctant hero with the now-iconic number 456 on his green tracksuit. Thanks to that character, Lee has gone from respected local actor to international household name, collecting an Emmy along the way and opening doors in Hollywood.
Born in Seoul on December 15, 1972, Lee started his career not in front of a camera, but on a runway. He began as a model before moving into television in the 1990s. Decades later, he remains one of South Korea's most versatile leading men. This is a closer look at the man behind the tracksuit, from cafe discovery to global stardom, and from acting to business.
- Full name: Lee Jung-jae
- Date of birth: December 15, 1972
- Zodiac sign: Sagittarius
- Height: 1.80 m
- Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
From a Gangnam cafe to the screen
Lee's origin story is almost as unlikely as a Squid Game plot twist. While working at a coffee shop in Seoul's Gangnam-gu, the late fashion designer Ha Yong-soo spotted him and encouraged him to pursue modeling. Lee spent several years as a model, then made his acting debut in 1993. His early television work made him a rising star in the Korean entertainment industry, and he soon crossed over to film.
At the turn of the millennium, Lee landed the male lead in Il Mare (2000), a romantic fantasy drama that became a touchstone for Korean cinema fans. The film was later remade in Hollywood as The Lake House (2006), starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. For international audiences, that remake offered a glimpse of the original's emotional power, even if they did not immediately recognize Lee's name.
In the years that followed, Lee built an impressive filmography. He appeared in more than 30 domestic and international productions, balancing commercial hits with more challenging roles. His ability to move between noir thrillers, romantic stories, and action films made him one of Korea's most reliable stars. It also prepared him for the global fame that Squid Game would eventually bring.
More than an actor: entrepreneur and Gucci ambassador
Lee has never limited himself to acting. In 2008, he opened Il Mare, an upscale Italian restaurant in Seoul, named after his breakthrough film. He also runs a real estate company, an unusual but increasingly common move for top Korean celebrities who want to diversify their income.
In 2016, Lee and his close friend Jung Woo-sung co-founded Artist Company, an agency representing actors and filmmakers. The company has grown steadily and in November 2024, it merged with Artist United, signaling an even bigger push into entertainment. The move reflects Lee's business ambition, something often overshadowed by his on-screen persona.
Outside his own ventures, Lee is a sought-after commercial face. As an international brand ambassador for Gucci, he appears in fashion campaigns and at major events, bringing his elegant, understated style to the luxury market. His Instagram account, @from_jjlee, has 3.8 million followers, where he mixes personal snapshots with promotional posts, giving fans a direct window into his life.
Net worth and private life
According to widely cited celebrity wealth estimates, Lee's fortune is valued at about $12 million. No official figures exist, and the estimate could already be outdated. His role in Squid Game, new Hollywood projects, business income, and advertising deals have all increased his earning potential considerably in recent years.
Lee Jung-jae is not married. He has been in a relationship for about ten years with Im Se-ryung, a well-known businesswoman and daughter of a successful entrepreneur. Her estimated fortune is around 300 billion won, or roughly 200 million euros, making her one of South Korea's most prominent figures in her own right.
Im Se-ryung was married to Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong from 1998 to 2009. The couple had two children before their divorce. Lee Jung-jae and Im Se-ryung do not have children together, but they have appeared together at high-profile events and are often described in the Korean media as one of the country's most powerful couples. In addition to her business interests, Im is associated with the luxury cosmetics brand Orcé, which adds another layer to her public profile.
The cultural impact of Squid Game
When Squid Game premiered in September 2021, nobody predicted just how massive it would become. The nine-episode survival thriller follows 456 players in extreme versions of Korean children's games, all competing for a life-changing prize. Beneath the blood and tension, the show is a sharp critique of wealth inequality and debt, themes that resonated with audiences around the world.
The series quickly became Netflix's most-watched show at the time, breaking records and winning six Emmys. Lee's performance as Seong Gi-hun, a divorced father trapped in a cycle of debt, became the emotional core. In 2022, he won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, becoming the first Asian actor and the first actor in a non-English-language series to take home that prize.
The second season, made up of seven episodes, dropped on December 26, 2024. Lee reprises his role as Seong Gi-hun, now determined to expose the game and end it. The story shifts from pure survival to a more complicated mission, giving Lee room to play guilt, rage, and determination in equal measure. The premiere generated enormous buzz on social media, with fans debating each cliffhanger and returning to favorite theories about the show's hidden world.
Taking on Star Wars and learning English
The success of Squid Game changed Lee's career in ways that previously would have seemed impossible for a Korean actor. After the Emmy win, he was cast as Jedi Master Sol in Star Wars: The Acolyte, a Disney+ series set at the end of the High Republic era. The show premiered in 2024 and initially made history with 4.8 million views in its first day, becoming the biggest launch of the year for Disney+.
Critics and audiences were divided on the series, and despite the strong start, Disney+ canceled The Acolyte after only one season. For Lee, however, the role was a major personal achievement. It allowed him to enter the Star Wars universe, one of the biggest franchises in entertainment, and to play a Jedi with moral complexity.
To land the part, Lee had to learn English. Until then, his language skills were limited. During a 2021 appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he still relied on an interpreter. The challenge did not stop him. Lee has spoken openly about the difficulty, saying: “Learning English was a huge challenge. Fortunately, I was able to rely on two incredible language coaches who accompanied me through the process. They taught me every detail with great patience.”
His willingness to step outside his comfort zone is part of what has made his career so durable. Whether he is playing a desperate gambler in a Korean survival drama, negotiating a business deal in Seoul, or speaking carefully crafted English on a Disney+ set, Lee Jung-jae continues to build one of the most impressive resumes in modern entertainment. For now, his Instagram remains the best place to see where that journey goes next.
Source:watson.ch/fr News