What To Watch
From Squid Game to Chief of Staff, the veteran Korean actor’s legacy is sweeter than dalgona.
By Regina Kim
March 5, 2024
Long before Lee Jung-jae donned a green jumpsuit that would earn him unprecedented global fame and accolades in Squid Game, he’d already built a storied career as one of South Korea’s most celebrated actors. After working as a model for a few years, Lee made his acting debut in the 1993 SBS K-drama Dinosaur Teacher. The following year he appeared in his first feature, The Young Man, for which he won the best newcomer award at the three most prestigious awards ceremonies in Korea, the Blue Dragon Film Awards, the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Grand Bell Awards — a feat that was practically unheard of at the time. However, his breakout role came in the 1995 K-drama Sandglass (aka Hourglass), deemed one of the most significant dramas in South Korean history. The drama was so popular at the time that the entire nation was said to have been swept up by the “Hourglass syndrome,” an affliction so fierce that fans would camp outside Lee’s apartment, eventually forcing him to move.
Over a career spanning nearly three decades, Lee has starred in some of South Korea’s most notable films and TV series, such as the drama Air City, action flick Typhoon, crime thriller New World, period piece The Face Reader and the romance film Il Mare, which was remade by Hollywood as The Lake House starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.
Known for his expansive acting range, Lee has portrayed probably almost every kind of character imaginable, whether it’s a handsome romantic lead, a god of the underworld, a con artist or an ordinary man playing games with fatal stakes. It’s no wonder that he has become one of the most recognizable faces in South Korean cinema and was chosen by the Korean Film Council in 2015 as a “top Korean actor who guarantees box office success.”
However, acting isn’t the only thing Lee excels at — turns out he’s also a successful entrepreneur (he co-founded an entertainment agency with close friend and fellow actor Jung Woo-sung, owns a real estate development company and even an Italian restaurant) and is well-versed in interior design (thanks to his art-school education).
If Squid Game is your first introduction to the seasoned actor, there’s a lot more compelling work of his to explore. Check out Lee’s best films and series that are currently available to stream on Netflix.
Popular Now
New on Netflix
New on Netflix in October 2024
Yesterday 4:35 pm
Who’s Who
Love Is Blind Season 7 Cast: Meet the DC Singles Entering the Pods
Oct. 16
News
Everything to Know About Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
Sept. 22
News
Everything to Know About Outer Banks Season 4
Oct. 11
The Thieves
In this wild heist flick, a ragtag group of Korean professional thieves led by Popie (Lee) team up with their Chinese counterparts to steal a diamond worth $30 million from a casino in Macau. The catch? The prized jewel belongs to a powerful and mysterious crime lord known for ruthlessly killing anyone who crosses him. However, as the thieves set out to execute their ambitious heist, they quickly realize that their biggest obstacle might actually be each other. Full of twists and turns that will surprise you till the very end, this slick action comedy has sometimes been compared to the Ocean’s trilogy because of its premise and all-star cast, which includes some of Asia’s top actors like Gianna Jun, Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Hye-soo, Shin Ha-kyun, Simon Yam, and, of course, Lee. Directed by Choi Dong-hoon, who has helmed other Korean blockbusters like Assassination, Tazza: The High Rollers and Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard, The Thieves, which is available to stream in select countries, remains one of South Korea’s most commercially successful films ever.
Based on a popular webtoon of the same name, Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds is an action-packed fantasy saga that feels like a modern-day cinematic retelling of Dante’s Inferno. When firefighter Kim Ja-hong (played by Cha Tae-hyun of My Sassy Girl fame) dies in the line of duty, three grim reapers escort him to the afterlife, where souls are judged for their actions on Earth. With the help of his three guardians, Ja-hong must successfully pass seven trials in 49 days in order to be reincarnated. Lee befittingly plays King Yeomra, the almighty ruler of the underworld who determines the order of the trials (and also seems to intervene occasionally when things get too out of hand). Featuring a star-studded cast that also includes Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Hyang-gi, Lee Jun-hyuk, Kim Hae-sook and many others, Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds, which is available to stream in select countries, is the third-highest-grossing film in South Korean box office history.
Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days
This sequel to Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds follows the trials of Kim Ja-hong’s younger brother Kim Su-hong (played by Kim Dong-wook), who is killed in a tragic accident during his military service. Lee reprises his role as the majestic King Yeomra, who, in return for granting Su-hong the right to a fair trial, tasks Su-hong’s three guardians with collecting the soul of an old man who has overstayed his time on Earth. Their mission, however, proves to be extremely difficult when they discover that the old man is being protected by a household deity and a former guardian of the afterlife (played by Don Lee from Train to Busan and Marvel’s Eternals). Through well-timed flashbacks and countless plot twists, the movie deftly reveals the backstories of the three grim reapers and their connection to Yeomra. Upon its release, Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days broke multiple records in South Korea and many other countries. It’s available to stream in select markets.
Svaha: The Sixth Finger
In the opening scene of this creepy thriller, a girl named Geum-hwa narrates that she was born with a demon twin sister, who had chewed on her leg while they were in their mother’s womb. Geum-hwa and her grandparents keep her evil twin locked away in a shed, where she’s heard shrieking and wailing throughout the night. Lee plays Pastor Park, a sharp, talkative minister and media personality who doggedly investigates and exposes religious cults. He begins to look into a mysterious Buddhist sect called Deer Mountain, which may have ties to a local murder case and Geum-hwa’s demonic twin. Svaha: The Sixth Finger topped the domestic box office in its opening week, but unless you’re a hardcore fan of supernatural horror, you’ll probably want to watch this one with the lights on.
Chief of Staff
One of the most acclaimed political series to ever come out of South Korea, Chief of Staff provides a realistic, if ugly, portrayal of South Korean politics. Lee stars as Jang Tae-jun, a former police officer who now works at the National Assembly as the chief of staff to greedy politician Song Hui-seop (played by the inimitable Kim Gap-soo). Tae-jun is a political mastermind who works wonders for his boss, striking down his opponents and orchestrating brilliant tactics that help Hui-seop rise to the top. By doing so, Tae-jun hopes that Hui-seop will help him fulfill his own ambition of becoming an assemblyman in the near future. But how far is Tae-jun willing to go to gain power? There’s plenty of political maneuvering, scheming and backstabbing in this drama, which marked Lee’s return to the small screen after 10 years.
Squid Game
Netflix’s most-watched series to date, this dystopian survival thriller follows 456 debt-ridden contestants as they compete in a series of deadly children’s games for a chance to win a significant cash prize. Lee plays Seong Gi-hun, the main protagonist, who risks his life for a chance to financially support his daughter (and sparked a worldwide dalgona craze in the process). Series director Hwang Dong-hyuk once half-jokingly said that he chose Lee for the role because he had a sadistic desire to destroy the actor’s cool and elegant image. Well, Lee probably has no gripes about that, since he’s attracted international media attention and scored best-acting nods, including a SAG award and an Independent Spirit award for his gripping performance.
Source Images (Clockwise from center): Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, Noh Juhan/Netflix
- Article
All About Squid Game
News
Try Your Luck at Squid Game: The Experience in New York This October
See Also'Hellbound' season 2 ending explained: What happens to Jung Jin-su after the resurrection?Meet the cast of Squid Game: Full list of actors and characters in hit Netflix series‘Squid Game’ Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, Star Lee Jung-jae on Lasting Impact of Show: “Great Stories Can Come From Anywhere”Lee Jung-jae is King of the WorldFind out how you can purchase tickets
By Christopher Hudspeth
Oct. 15
Recap
Game Over: Breaking Down That Unpredictable Squid Game Ending
A finale nearly as shocking as Gi-hun’s hair.
By Haein Jung
Oct. 14
News
Squid Game Season 2: The Games Begin in New Teaser Video
Gi-hun opens the door on the K-drama’s next chapter.
By Ariana Romero
Oct. 3
News
Squid Game Gets the Green Light for Season 3 Coming in 2025
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk promises another “thrill ride” for the final season.
By Ariana Romero
Aug. 7
Tudum 2023
‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Cast Enlists New and Returning Faces
Seong Gi-hun is back.
By Christopher Hudspeth
July 12, 2023
Tudum 2022
‘Squid Game’ Gets Fishy in This New Unreleased Clip
Can you crack the meaning behind this mysterious scene?
By Phillipe Thao
Sept. 24, 2022
Press Play
‘Squid Game’ Had a Real Honeycomb Candymaker on Set
“The entire set was filled with the smell of honeycomb candy all day."
By Jean Bentley
Aug. 19, 2022
Press Play
Filming That ‘Squid Game’ Glass Bridge Scene Was Actually Terrifying
Why don’t you try jumping onto glass panels while suspended in midair?
By Jean Bentley
Aug. 18, 2022
Shop Squid Game
Discover More What To Watch
What To Watch
Make Your Halloween a Classic with These Movies and Shows This Weekend
It’s time to stream-n-scream.
By Mary Sollosi
Yesterday 7:00 pm
What To Watch
11 Sad Movies to Make You Ugly Cry (in the Best Way)
Need some emotional catharsis? This list will get the job done.
By Jessie Mooney and Erin Corbett
Oct. 22
What To Watch
15 Thrillers Too Suspenseful to Pause for Even a Second
That’s how you know they’re great.
By Jessie Mooney and Erin Corbett
Oct. 21
What To Watch
11 Shows to Test-Drive If You Love The Lincoln Lawyer
Hit the gas on these to fill that Mickey-shaped hole in your heart.
By Jessie Mooney
Oct. 17
What To Watch
14 Mystery TV Shows That’ll Put Your Sleuthing Skills to the Test
Can you crack the case before hitting “Next Episode”?
By Jessie Mooney and Erin Corbett
Oct. 17
What To Watch
16 Halloween Episodes Exponentially Better than Candy Corn
From the haunting to the hilarious, these will get you in a silly-spooky mood.
By Jessie Mooney
Oct. 16
What To Watch
11 Mystery Movies That’ll Put Your Detective Skills to Work
This list, in your queue, for your next movie night? Case closed.
By Matthew Jacobs and Erin Corbett
Oct. 15
What To Watch
16 Inspirational Movies That Will Make You Believe Anything Is Possible
If you can dream it, you can stream it.
By Jessie Mooney
Oct. 14
Related Videos
What To Watch
What Geeked Week Stars Are Watching on Netflix
Dive into the queue with stars from 'One Piece,' 'Cobra Kai,' and more.
Sept. 28
3:41
Trailer
Watch the Squid Game Season 2 Special Teaser
The game never stops. Are you ready to play?
Sept. 20
0:45
Press Play
Watch This Unreleased Scene From 'Squid Game' Season 1
Something seems a little fishy.
Sept. 24, 2022
1:13
Behind the Scenes
Behind The Making Of The Glass Bridge In ‘Squid Game’
Creating realistic fear and spectacle, featuring Oh Young-soo.
July 10, 2022
6:39
Behind the Scenes
Behind The Making Of 'Squid Game's Tug Of War
The emotional push and pull featuring Park Hae-soo and the Composer Jung Jae-il.
July 9, 2022
5:34
Behind the Scenes
Behind The Making Of The Marbles Game In ‘Squid Game’
'Squid Game’s heartbreaking humanity is revealed, featuring Anupam Tripathi.
July 9, 2022
6:17
Behind the Scenes
Go Behind The Making Of 'Squid Game''s Red Light, Green Light
The game is on, featuring director Hwang Dong-hyuk and star Lee Jung-jae.
June 24, 2022
9:22
Behind the Scenes
The Making Of 'Squid Game''s Honeycomb Scene
Featuring Jung Ho-yeon and costume designer Cho Sang-kyung
June 21, 2022
4:50
Latest News
News
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Is One Month Away — Here’s How to Win Tickets
3:59 am
News
Love Is Blind Season 7 Reunion: Everything You Need to Know
Yesterday 4:30 pm
Status Update
Love Is Blind Season 7: What’s Happened So Far, and Who’s Still Together?
Yesterday 4:25 pm
News
Love Is Blind Season 7 Is Blossoming in Washington, DC
Yesterday 4:19 pm
Featured
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin Is an Emotional Ode to Connection and Gaming
Yesterday 3:55 pm
News
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft Returns for Season 2
Yesterday 3:00 pm
More News
Popular Now
Deep Dive
Anna Kendrick Explains Woman of the Hour’s Haunting Ending
Including Stephen Sondheim’s surprising influence on the true-crime thriller.
By John DiLillo
Oct. 18
What To Watch
28 Drama Series Sure to Hook You Immediately
Cancel all your plans, because these shows will have your attention from start to finish.
By Allison Picurro
Aug. 8