Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Lee Jung-jae signs with CAA, takes leap onto world stage
Actor Lee Jung-jae / Courtesy of Artist Company
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Lee Jung-jae, who made a splash by playing the protagonist of Netflix's smash hit series, “Squid Game,” is propelling Korean dramas, films and fashion, to global fame by taking the leap onto the world stage.
Recently, he signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for representation as a director, producer and actor. The U.S. talent and sports agency represents notable Hollywood directors and actors, including Steven Spielberg, Brad Pitt and Will Smith.
“Based on CAA's global network, Lee Jung-jae will be more active in the global market, including the United States,” Lee's agency, Artist Company, said in a statement.
Lee played Seong Gi-hun in “Squid Game,” the survival drama that has garnered four Screen Actors Guild (SAG) award nominations, including Male Actor in A Drama Series, for Lee. He will be attending the announcement ceremony, scheduled for Feb. 27 (local time), with director Hwang Dong-hyuk and other cast members.
In addition, he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Actor ― Drama Series and a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Series, becoming the first male actor from Asia to receive nominations in all three prestigious awards in those categories.
His latest film, “Deliver Us From Evil,” was screened in Publicis Cinemas in Paris on Sunday following demand from French fans who wished to watch Lee's recent movie. The hard-boiled action film was screened during the 15th Korean Film Festival in 2020.
For his next project, Lee will make his directorial debut with “Hunt,” which he will also star in alongside Jung Woo-sung. The film was also written and is being produced by Lee.
The 50-year-old actor was chosen as a global ambassador for Seoul Fashion Week, which will be held March 18-23 in a hybrid version. This year, four local designer brands ― EENK, LIE, WNDERKAMMER and DOUCAN ― will host runway shows during Paris Fashion Week. Model Choi So-ra, another global ambassador, will appear in the runway show during the event.
On Friday, the soundtrack of Lee's screen debut feature, “The Young Man” (1994) was re-released. This album includes 14 tracks, including “Where the Road Ends” sung by Lee. In the film, he plays the role of a young model who manipulates people around him in his unending quest for financial pleasure. Lee won the Best New Actor award at the 31st Baeksang Arts Award, 33rd Grand Bell Awards and 16th Blue Dragon Awards.