Lee Jung-jae is a well-known South Korean actor and model who received worldwide fame with ‘Squid Game’, the cult survival drama on Netflix. He played the lead role of Gi-Hun in the show. Lee-Jung-jae was born on December 15, 1972 in Seoul, South Korea. He was born in a wealthy family of doctors and brewers but during his teens, the family fell for hard times.
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Lee Jung-jae – Career
When he was working at a cafe in Apgujeong, a designer called Ha Yong-soo discovered him and referred him to a modelling agency. He bagged the job as a model and then began representing small-time brands. His big break in television came when he was signed for the 1993 TV drama, Dinosaur Teacher. He started getting plum-sized role, one of the notable ones being ‘The Young Man’ and later ‘Feelings’, the 1994 college drama.
Lee Jung-jae became big hit with the opposite sex when he shone in the supporting role of the heroine’s dedicated bodyguard in ‘Sandglass’. Then he went on to do a spate of successful movies including award-winning movies like ‘An Affair’ and ‘City of the Rising Sun’.
One of his movies ‘Il Mare’ in 2000 was not a hit back then, but went on to attain cult status later as years passed by. His other movies include ‘Last Present’, and ‘Oh! Brothers’, which went on become one of his Lee Jung-jae’s biggest hits.
Lee Jung had a career slump from 2007 to 2009 with movies like Air City, Triple and The Accidental Gangster and the Mistaken Courtesan not doing well. In 2010, Lee came back with a bang, as the erotic thriller ‘The Housemaid’ got a thumbs-up from critics and viewers. In 2012, the heist film called ‘The Thieves’, co-starring Lee with other actors became the second highest grossing movie in Korean cinematic history. He followed it up with ‘New World’ (2013), a much-loved crime thriller.
Lee went on to do ‘The Face Reader’ (2013) which won him the Best Supporting Actor at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, followed by an action comedy called ‘Big Match’, in 2014. In 2015, Lee worked in ‘Assassination’, a period drama in the 1930s. His other works include ‘Tik Tok, (Chinese crime drama), Operation Chromite, Warriors of the Dawn, along with the Gods – The Two Worlds’, and TV shows like ‘Svaha -The Sixth Sense, and ‘Chief of Staff’’.
Lee Jung-jae on Squid Game
Squid Game released in 2021 on Netflix turned out to be a huge hit, even surpassing the likes of Bridgerton, Who Killed Sara? Sacred Games and other shows. Lee Jung-jae has the lead role of Gi-Hun who goes to win the riches . Lee is all praise for the director Hwang Dong-hyuk and says that the strong point of Squid Game was the director’s ability to make all characters relatable and believable.
With Squid Game, Lee is the biggest international star in Korea. He says that the role was a dream role. He says, “This is the first time, I have played a character with so much range of emotions. It is a dream role for any actor.” The CEO of Netflix Ted Saranos has said that Squid Game is Netflix’s biggest non-English show.
Squid Game has opened the doors for content providers and streaming giants to secure contracts with Korean producers. Lee also has chosen to get into direction; his directorial debut being ‘Namsun’ a Korean spy thriller. “Above all, I still consider myself as an actor. When I was young, I would focus on many things. But after I turned 40, I don’t have the same stamina and can focus only on one thing at a time, more so when I am now touching 50.” He adds, “I have not got any overseas project but I am open to offers.”
Lee Jung-jae – Businesses
He has a passion for food, apart from acting. Lee Jung-jae has a string of upscale Italian restaurants in Seoul, named after his movie ‘Il Mare.’ He did the designing of these restaurants himself as he has a degree in interior design. He also has a real estate company called Seorim C&D. With actor Jung Woo-sung, Lee Jung has partnered quite a few business, one of them being an entertainment label known as ‘Artist Company’.
Lee Jung-jae – Controversy
Lee has been charged with Driving Under Influence twist when he rammed his BWM into an other car in 1999, and then again in 2002.
Lee Jung-jae – Height
He is 1.8 meter tall.
Lee Jung-jae – Girlfriend
Lee has been in a relationship with Lim Se Ryung, who is the eldest daughter of Korean food giant Daesang Group. Yes, the down-to-earth Lim is a heiress, who was once married to Lee Jae Yong, the vice-chairman of Samsung Group. She has two kids from her first marriage.
Lee Jung dated actress Kim Min Hee for 3 years, before the split in 2006.
Lee Jung-jae on social media
This is his Instagram Profile
Lee Jung-jae – Pictures
Lee Jung-jae – Net Worth
The actor and businessman is financially strong, considering his acting assignments and varied business interests. He is one of the richest celebrities in South Korea, with a net worth of $7 million.
