Lee Jung-jae
Lee Jung-jae is one of the most recognized South Korea Actors of the Generation X generation.
Lee Jung-jae (이정재) is a South Korean actor. Born on December 15, 1972, he began modelling in 1993 before getting his first acting roles the film The Young Man (1994) and the TV series Feelings (1994) and Sandglass (1995), which is one of the highest rated Korean dramas of all time with a peak rating of 64.5%. But his real breakthrough was with leading roles in award-winning films The Affair (1998) and City of the Rising Sun (1999). The latter of which earned him the Best Actor award at the prest
"While his early career was marked by critical acclaim and awards for films like "City of the Rising Sun," his role as Seong Gi-hun in the global phenomenon "Squid Game" (2021) catapulted him to international superstardom." — About Lee Jung-jae
| Metric | Lee Jung-jae | Avg Actor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 53 | 53 | same |
| Career length | 35 yrs | ~35 yrs | same |
| Based on 4322 Actor profiles in our database | |||
See also
Facts about Lee Jung-jae
Did you know that Lee Jung-jae is also a successful entrepreneur, owning businesses ranging from real estate development to a chain of Italian restaurants?
- He co-founded and runs a high-end design and real estate development company named 'R.E.D. Estate' with fellow actor Jung Woo-sung.
- He made his directorial debut with the espionage action film "Hunt" (2022), in which he also starred.
- Before his acting breakthrough, he worked part-time at a café in Apgujeong-dong, Seoul, where he was scouted by a designer.
- He initially hesitated to accept the lead role of Seong Gi-hun in "Squid Game" due to the character's complex moral ambiguity.
- He is known for his meticulous preparation for roles, often immersing himself deeply in character research and physical training.
While his early career was marked by critical acclaim and awards for films like "City of the Rising Sun," his role as Seong Gi-hun in the global phenomenon "Squid Game" (2021) catapulted him to international superstardom. This performance earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, making him the first Asian actor to win in that category.
Lee Jung-jae has solidified his legacy as a versatile and enduring actor, whose recent global success has profoundly elevated the international profile of Korean talent and opened doors for Asian representation in Hollywood.
