Squid Game star Lee Jung Jae looking at next Hollywood project, directing new film

SINGAPORE – He may be a veteran actor with over three decades of success in his native South Korea. But for Lee Jung Jae, nothing beats the “great honour” of being known internationally as gambling addict-turned-hero Player 456 from hit Netflix K-series Squid Game (2021 to 2025).

He remains grateful to have been a part of the pop culture phenomenon.

“I still cannot believe that I did something to deserve this great honour,” Lee, 52, tells The Straits Times via an interpreter at Resorts World Sentosa.

He was in Singapore on Oct 3 for Tatler Ball Asia, the luxury media platform’s annual gala event, where he received the Chaplin Award for his influence on international entertainment and role in reshaping global perceptions of Asian talent.

“I’m glad we got to tell a story from Asia to the whole world, and that viewers around the world could relate to it.”

The award recognises actors or film-makers for their exceptional contributions to cinema. It was established by Irish model-entrepreneur Kiera Chaplin, granddaughter of British film legend Charlie Chaplin, in 2018.

Its recipients include Hong Kong actors Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Donnie Yen, Chinese film-makers Zhang Yimou and Tian Zhuangzhuang, Chinese actors Jiang Wen and Ge You, as well as Taiwanese actress Lin Ching-hsia. 

Upon accepting the trophy on stage, Lee – who took home best actor wins for Squid Game at the Emmys and Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2022 – said: “I am honoured to be receiving this Chaplin Award, and I totally feel the weight of it.  

“I feel more nervous receiving this award today than when I received the Emmy.”

Lee, who made his directorial debut in 2022 with South Korean espionage thriller Hunt, co-starring Jung Woo-sung, added: “It’s a strange mixture of feelings because Mr Chaplin is someone I have deep respect for and deeply love. He was an amazing artiste and film-maker. Having received this award in Singapore is such a meaningful occasion for me.” 

Knowing that Squid Game fans were the ones who helped make him a household name, Lee invited the Tatler Ball Asia guests – comprising more than 300 of Asia’s most influential figures, innovators and cultural icons – to take photographs with him. 

“I’d like to thank all the guests who have shown me a warm welcome in Singapore. If you would like to have more photos with me, please come by, and I’ll take them with you,” he offered.

A main takeaway from his Squid Game experience was how incredible the fandom is – and meeting them in person all over the world.

He says: “We visited so many countries to promote the series. Being able to talk to a lot of the fans was probably one of the most important moments in my career.”

Even though the series ended in June, viewers still discuss conspiracy theories that Player 456 survived the fatal fall from height in the finale. 

Asked about South Korean creator-director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s chosen ending, Lee says he supports the conclusion wholeheartedly. 

“I know that many fans are sad about the Squid Game ending, but Hwang believes it was truly the best ending for the series.” 

As for the ambiguous Los Angeles-set epilogue featuring a surprise cameo from Oscar-winning Australian actress Cate Blanchett as a recruiter for the deadly games, leading to speculation over a US spin-off, Lee has only this to say: Be patient. 

“I know Hwang is preparing for his next project. So, hopefully, that will offset some sadness the fans are feeling about the end of Squid Game.”

Going behind the camera and to Hollywood

The soft-spoken bachelor is also making his next moves, like heading to the US for work.

He made his Hollywood debut in the 2024 Disney+ Star Wars series The Acolyte, in which his Jedi Master Sol played a pivotal role. It was his first major English-speaking role and first appearance in the Star Wars franchise. 

“I have been receiving a lot of great scripts from the US. I will make a decision on a potential new project probably towards the end of the year,” he says.

He also has plans to go behind the camera to direct his second feature film.

Hunt, which held its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, was a box-office hit in South Korea. 

That year, Lee also won numerous coveted best director honours, including from Blue Dragon Film Awards, Buil Film Awards, Korean Association of Film Critics Awards and Korean Film Producers Association Awards.

While Lee is keeping mum on the genre of his follow-up, he says he has been working on the script.

“I’m in the process of preparing the casting of actors for the project. I hope the production can start in 2026.”

He is also venturing into uncharted territory with the K-drama Nice To Not Meet You, his first attempt at romantic comedy, premiering on Prime Video on Nov 3. 

He plays Lim Hyeon-jun, a thriving actor who is always typecast in detective roles. South Korean actress Lim Ji-yeon of The Glory (2022 to 2023) fame portrays his love interest. She is decorated political journalist Wi Jeong-sin, who is reassigned to the entertainment desk of her publication.

Hard work and diligence

Success has come with a certain amount of pressure.

“A project takes a lot of people’s efforts and a great deal of investment,” Lee says. 

A 100 per cent success rate for his shows is “quite difficult” to attain, but his constant hope is that they are well-received.

He adds: “That’s why I work very diligently for every single project. Of course, I love making good memories with the cast and crew, but it’s just as important to have a good result.”

Nevertheless, Lee, who started as a fashion model before making his TV debut in 1993, is proud to be a South Korean actor at a time when Hallyu is growing in momentum. 

All three seasons of Squid Game currently occupy the top three spots on Netflix’s global all-time Top 10 Most Popular Non-English Shows list, with more than 430 million combined views. 

“I was greatly influenced by movies from Hong Kong and China when the movie industries there were booming. I was so happy when those films reached South Korea,” he says.

“So, I feel tremendously grateful that the Korean wave is spreading across Asia and beyond.”