Lee Jung jae is a globally famous South Korean actor and filmmaker who is best known for his role as Seong Gi hun in the Netflix series Squid Game.
He was born on December 15, 1972 and is (53 years old). His birthplace is Seoul, South Korea.
He started his career as a fashion model and later became one of Korea’s most respected actors.
His biggest breakthrough came with Squid Game, which made him an international star and earned him a historic Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor.
Over the years, he has worked in many successful films like The Housemaid and Deliver Us from Evil. He has also stepped into directing with the film Hunt. His global popularity continues to grow with major international projects.
Keep on reading Lee Jung jae Wiki and get to know more about his life, family, children, education, career, awards, net worth, facts and more.
Quick Facts: Lee Jung-jae
| Full Name | Lee Jung-jae |
| Profession | Actor, Model |
| Age | 53 years old |
| Date of Birth | December 15, 1972 |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Sagittarius |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Current Address | Seoul, South Korea |
| Gender | Male |
Lee Jung-jae Early life and Education
Lee Jung jae spent his early years in Seoul, South Korea, where he grew up with an interest in fashion and entertainment. During his younger days, he did not initially plan to become an actor and was more focused on building a stable career.
His life changed when he was discovered by a fashion designer while working at a café. This opportunity helped him enter the modeling industry, which later opened the door to acting.
Education
Lee Jung jae completed his schooling in South Korea and studied at well known institutions during his early years. His school life helped build his confidence, which later supported his career in entertainment.
He later attended Dongguk University, where he studied Theater and Film. He continued his academic journey and earned a master’s degree in Theater and Film Art, strengthening his acting foundation.
| School | High School: Hyundai High School (Seoul); Middle School: Cheongdam Middle School (Seoul); Elementary School: Sungui Elementary School (Gwangju) |
| Alma Mater | Dongguk University |
| Highest Qualification | Master’s degree in Theater and Film Art |
Lee Jung-jae Personal Life
Lee Jung jae is known for keeping his personal life private despite being a global star. However, his relationship has often attracted public attention over the years.
Relationship Status
Lee Jung jae is in a long term relationship with Lim Se ryung. The couple has been publicly dating since 2015 and has been seen together at major events and international trips.
Lim Se ryung is a well known South Korean businesswoman and the vice chairwoman of Daesang Group. She is also recognized for her presence in high profile business and social circles in South Korea.
Family
Details about their parents like name and profession are yet to be updated. However he has one brother and more details about him is yet to be updated.
| Relationship Status | Dating: Lim Se ryung |
| Parents | Yet to be updated |
| Siblings | Yet to be updated |
Read also: Top 15 Most Famous Korean Actors
Lee Jung-jae Career
Early Career and Breakthrough (1993 to 1999)
Lee Jung jae started his career as a fashion model before moving into acting in the early 1990s. He made his television debut in 1993 with the drama Dinosaur Teacher.
He gained early popularity through dramas like Sandglass in 1995, which became a major hit in South Korea. His film debut came with The Young Man in 1994, which helped establish him as a rising actor.
Rise as Film Star (2000 to 2010)
In the 2000s, Lee Jung jae became one of Korea’s top film actors. He appeared in successful movies like Il Mare, The Housemaid, and Typhoon.
His performances during this time were praised for their depth and versatility. He worked with well known directors and actors, which strengthened his position in the film industry.
Career Expansion and Global Projects (2011 to 2019)
During this period, he took on more diverse roles in films such as New World and Assassination. These projects were commercially successful and increased his popularity across Asia.
He also began exploring business ventures and became involved in directing and producing work, showing his growth beyond acting.
Global Fame with Squid Game (2020 to 2022)
Lee Jung jae gained worldwide fame with Netflix’s Squid Game in 2021. His role as Seong Gi hun became iconic and brought him international recognition.
He made history by winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, becoming the first Asian actor to win in this category.
Recent Work and Latest Projects (2023 to 2026)
After the success of Squid Game, Lee Jung jae expanded his global presence with major international projects. He directed and starred in the film Hunt, which received strong attention.
He also appeared in the Star Wars series The Acolyte, marking his entry into Hollywood franchise projects.
In 2026, he continues to gain global attention with Squid Game Season 2, which has become a major hit worldwide. His role once again placed him at the center of global entertainment, confirming his status as an international star.
Lee Jung-jae Awards and Achievement
Lee Jung jae has built a strong awards record in both South Korea and international entertainment. His biggest global recognition came through Squid Game, and his award profile stayed relevant into 2025.
- Primetime Emmy Awards 2022: Won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Squid Game. This made him the first Asian actor to win in that category.
- Screen Actors Guild Awards 2022: Won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series for Squid Game.
- Independent Spirit Awards 2022: Won Best Male Performance in a New Scripted Series for Squid Game.
- Blue Dragon Series Awards 2022: Won Best Actor for Squid Game.
- Asia Artist Awards 2021: Won Actor of the Year, along with other honours such as Hot Trend Award and Fabulous Award.
- Blue Dragon Film Awards 2022: Won Best New Director for Hunt. This was an important achievement because it showed his success beyond acting.
- Buil Film Awards 2022: Won Best New Director for Hunt.
- Critics Choice Super Awards 2022: Won Best Actor in an Action Series for Squid Game.
- 2024 recognition: He received the Trailblazer Award at the Critics Choice Celebration of Cinema and Television, reflecting his growing global influence.
- 2025 recognition: Lee Jung jae won the Gold Derby TV Award for Drama Actor for Squid Game, showing that his international recognition continued well after the first season’s success.
Lee Jung-jae Controversies
- 1999 Drunk driving case: Older reports suggest that Lee Jung jae was involved in a drunk driving incident in 1999. This issue resurfaced online after his global fame increased.
- 2002 Second drunk driving case:Some reports also mention another drunk driving case in 2002. These incidents are considered part of his early career controversies.
- 2024 Business dispute: Lee Jung jae was involved in a legal dispute related to RaemongRaein. He denied the allegations and filed a counter complaint stating the claims were false.
- 2025 Romance scam using his identity: A fraud case came into news where scammers used his identity to cheat a woman. His agency confirmed it was impersonation and warned of legal action.
Lee Jung-jae Net worth
Lee Jung jae has earned significant wealth through his successful acting career, global projects, and brand endorsements over the years.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $12 Million to $15 Million (approx.) |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Lee Jung-jae Height, Weight and Physical States
| Height | In centimetres: 180 cm meters: 1.80 m In feet & inches: 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | In kg: 75 kg In lbs: 165.347 |
| Body Measurements | Yet to be updated |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
Lee Jung-jae Social Media
 @from_jjlee | |
 @officialljj |
Interesting Facts about Lee Jung-jae
- Lee Jung jae started his career as a fashion model before becoming an actor
- He is one of the first Asian actors to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Best Actor
- Apart from acting, he has also worked as a film director with his debut movie Hunt
- He is a close friend of actor Jung Woo sung, and they have worked together in multiple projects
- Lee Jung jae has also been involved in business ventures, including owning restaurants in South Korea
- He gained global fame in his late 40s, which is rare in the entertainment industry
- He is known for maintaining a very private personal life despite his international fame
FAQs
Who is Lee Jung jae?
Lee Jung jae is a South Korean actor known worldwide for his role in Squid Game.
What is Lee Jung jae’s age?
He is 53 years old as of 2025.
Is Lee Jung jae married?
No, he is not married but is in a long term relationship.
Who is Lee Jung jae’s girlfriend?
He is dating Lim Se ryung, a South Korean businesswoman.
What is Lee Jung jae famous for?
He is famous for playing Seong Gi hun in Netflix’s Squid Game.
What is Lee Jung jae’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is between $12 million to $15 million.
Has Lee Jung jae won an Emmy Award?
Yes, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Best Actor in 2022.
