Biography of Lee Jung-jae
Lee Jung-jae is a South Korean actor and filmmaker who was born on 15 December 1972 in Seoul. He gained recognition through his work as a fashion model before switching to television acting in the middle of the 1990s, where he continued to excel. ‘Feelings’ (1994), a drama with a collegiate subject, and ‘Sandglass’ (1995) were among his first of many acting roles (1995). Since then, he has had multiple appearances in successful films, including ‘The Thieves’ (2012), ‘Warriors of the Dawn’ (2017), and most recently, ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ (2020).
His most famous role is ‘Seong Gi Hun’ in the popular Korean Netflix drama ‘Squid Game’. This role made him famous around the world, gaining 4.9 million followers for his Instagram account in a short amount of time. His very first Instagram post was a selfie that received more than 2 million likes.
Lee Jung-jae has garnered numerous honours, including a ‘Primetime Emmy Award’, a ‘Screen Actors Guild Award’, a ‘Critics’ Choice Television Award’, six ‘Baeksang Arts Awards’, and nominations for a ‘Golden Globe Award’ and a ‘Gotham Award’. Jung-jae also has a successful business career in addition to his acting career. He has started a number of businesses, including the development company “Seorim C&D” and a chain of restaurants, along with his best friend and fellow actor Jung Woo-sung.
Early Life & Education
Lee Jung-jae attended ‘Dongguk University’ and received his master’s degree from the Graduate School of Cultural Arts ‘Theater & Film Art division’ in August 2008. In December of that same year, he made his stage debut in Hamlet in Water, playing the title part. At his alma mater’s Lee Hae-rang Theater, the drama was presented for four days.
Career & Achievements
Designer Ha Yong-soo spotted Lee Jung-jae while he was working at a café in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam District. This incident opened the door to him for modelling. After working as a model for several years, he made his acting debut in the 1993 TV drama ‘Dinosaur Teacher’, which gave him overnight fame and was almost exclusively cast in the leading roles thereafter. He garnered positive reviews for his first major film part in Bae Chang-ho’s ‘The Young Man’. It was the 1994 smash campus drama ‘Feelings’ that pushed him to a household name.
Lee Jung-jae became a national heartthrob in 1995 when he was cast in what was supposed to be a modest supporting role as the heroine’s silent, dedicated bodyguard in the drama ‘Sandglass’. As a result, his screen time was expanded throughout the series’ length.
Jung-jae played ‘Seong Gi-hun’, the lead character in the popular Netflix survival drama ‘Squid Game’, in September 2021. In the series, his character is an unlucky gambler who is persuaded to compete for a large cash prize in a series of silly but dangerous games, to become the winner.
Seong Gi-hun became Lee’s most well-known role to date as a result of the series’ success. He received a lot of awards for that role, including the ‘SAG Awards’ & ‘Primetime Emmy Awards’.
On November 11, 2021, news broke that Lee had been chosen to represent the prestigious Gucci brand internationally. Later that month, the show’s creator Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed that Lee would reprise his role as ‘Gi-hun’ in the second season of Squid Game.
He made his directorial debut in 2022 with the spy action picture ‘Hunt’, in which he also co-starred with Jung Woo-sung. The movie had its world premiere in May 2022 at the ‘Cannes Film Festival’.
On 26 February 2022, he signed a contract with ‘Creative Artists Agency’. It was reported that he will play the male protagonist in the Star Wars television series ‘The Acolyte’ when it debuts on Disney+ on 8 September 2022. President Yoon Suk-yeol presented him with the ‘Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit’, the highest honour given to people who have made contributions to the culture and the arts.
Jung-jae received the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit from President Yoon Suk-yeol, the highest accolade given to people who have made significant contributions to the culture and the arts.
Military Life
Lee Jung-jae served in the military before becoming a star. He joined the military on 26 December 1994 and became friends with comedian and Nation’s MC Yoo Jae Suk, who was also enlisted in the military during the same period. Reports say they are still keeping the friendship.
Personal Life
Interesting Facts About Lee Jung-jae
- Lee Jung-jae started his career as a model. He was discovered by a fashion designer while working at a cafe in Seoul. After a few years of modelling, he switched his career to acting.
- Lee Jung-jae has acted in a lot of films, more than dramas.
- Jung-jae has a successful business career in addition to his acting career. He has started a number of businesses, including the development company “Seorim C&D” and a chain of restaurants, along with his best friend and fellow actor Jung Woo-sung.
- Lee Jung-jae is currently dating Im Se-ryung [ko], the ex-wife of Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong.
- Lee Jung-jae has a huge fan following (4.7 million) on Instagram.
FAQs
- What is Lee Jung-jae’s current net worth?
Lee Jung-jae’s current estimated net worth is approximately $12 million. - How old is Lee Jung-jae?
He is 50 years old. - How tall is Lee Jung-jae?
He is 1.8 m tall. - What is Lee Jung-jae’s Instagram ID?
