Perhaps you are one of the millions of people around the world who almost by chance have ended up hooked on the Netflix smash hit ‘The Squid Game’ . Facing the exoticism of Turkish series , this sadistic Korean fiction is on its way, according to the streaming platform, to being its most watched production of all time. Much to be blamed for this is a selection of actors hitherto unknown in our country led by Lee Jung-jae.

The 47-year-old South Korean actor stars in this story that, for those who have not yet seen it, puts us in the shoes of 456 desperate people who end up participating in a terrifying contest based on bloody versions of children’s games in which they can win millions , but if they are eliminated they face a tragic fate.

While ‘The Squid Game’ sweeps audiences by its grotesque, surreal and captivating plot, the eyes of half the world have been on the good-natured game addict who ends up being player number 456. But long before starring in the Netflix series , the interpreter was already well known in his country.

Although Lee Jung-jae grew up in a wealthy family in Seoul, he started working at a coffee shop at a young age. It was there that a talent scout noticed her appeal and signed her to be a model. After two years on the catwalks, he finally launched himself into the world of acting, debuting in the series ‘Dinosaur teacher’ in 1993. Since then he has had a prolific career, especially on the big screen.

The actor takes with good humor the rise in his international fame and even the memes that circulate about his series. “I can feel the popularity. I have seen many people upload photos of me,” he said in the Korean medium ‘Star’. “The setting presents a complex combination of various aspects, and I think the shooting and the characters were part of that harmony,” he added about his work in fiction.

Fortunately for him, it is unlikely that even if his acting career declines, he will have to play a game like the one in the series to pay off debts. He currently combines his roles with his entrepreneurial side and is the owner of a chain of luxury Italian restaurants named after one of his most successful films: ‘Il Mare’.

Not content to shine in the restaurant industry, he also owns a real estate development company and has founded the entertainment label Artist Company, along with his good friend and also actor Jung Woo-sung.

Less known is another of his talents. Lee also has experience in interior design , which he has applied in his real estate businesses. The successful performer entered art school after graduating from university and earned a master’s degree from the Department of Theater and Film at Dongguk University.

His talent has been recognized in his country and already at the age of 21 he achieved the rare achievement of winning the award for the best new actor in the three most prestigious awards ceremonies in South Korea: the Blue Dragon Film Awards, the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Grand Bell Awards.

Although the interpreter is jealous of his private life and does not have official social networks, it has transpired from his love relationships that he was dating actress Kim Min-hee for three years.

Currently, as confirmed by ‘The Korea Times’, he is in a relationship with a wealthy heiress, Lim Se-ryung , the eldest daughter of the president of the Korean food giant Daesang Group.

Categorized in:

People