👶 Early Life & Career Beginnings
Born: December 15, 1972 in Seoul, South Korea .
Started working at a café in Apgujeong, Seoul, where he was discovered by a designer and began modeling in the early 1990s .
Made his acting debut in 1993 on TV drama Dinosaur Teacher and gained popularity with Sandglass (1995) .
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🎬 Rise to Fame & Squid Game
Earned early acclaim in films like An Affair (1998), Il Mare (2000), New World (2013), and led acclaimed crime-thriller The Housemaid (2010) .
Landed his global breakthrough role as Seong Gi‑hun (Player 456) in Netflix's Squid Game (2021), becoming the first Asian actor to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series .
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🏆 Awards & Recognition
Won the 2022 Primetime Emmy, Screen Actors Guild Award, and multiple Baeksang Arts Awards .
Honored at the Korea Image Awards and recognized with South Korea's prestigious **Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit (2022)** .
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🛠️ Business Ventures & Personal Life
Co-founded the talent agency Artist Company with actor Jung Woo‑sung and operates Seorim C&D, a real estate firm .
Owns a string of upscale restaurants in Seoul named after his film Il Mare .
Actively curates art at his gallery LAU in Seoul and collects contemporary artworks .
In a long-term relationship with business executive Lim Se-ryung since 2015, and supportive of philanthropic causes .
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🎥 Behind the Scenes
Started in modeling, transitioned to acting and ultimately directing—debuted as filmmaker with the espionage thriller Hunt, which premiered at Cannes 2022 .
Speaks English after quick language study for roles like in The Acolyte, reflecting his versatility .
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🎤 Public & Fan Reception
Known for intense, nuanced performances—Reddit fans continue to praise his emotional depth in Squid Game ("won me over by episode 3") .
Applauded in Western media—termed “phenomenal,” “charismatic,” and hailed as a major step forward for Asian representation .
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📊 Quick Facts
Detail Info
Full Name Lee Jung‑jae
Birth Date December 15, 1972
Height ~183 cm (6 ft)
Education M.A. in Theatre & Film, Dongguk University
First Major Role An Affair (1998) – won Blue Dragon Awards
Net Worth Estimated ~$12M (includes entertainment, real estate, dining)
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🔚 Final Thoughts
Lee Jung‑jae’s journey from café worker and model to global superstar and Cannes director is a testament to his talent, drive, and multifaceted ambition. His portrayal of Gi‑hun earned him historic awards and broke cultural barriers, while his business acumen and artistic pursuits underscore his diverse success. Whether on-screen or behind it, Lee continues redefining South Korean cinema on the world stage.
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