Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
Lee Jung-jae becomes first Asian Jedi master in Star Wars' 'The Acolyte'
Actor Lee Jung-jae poses during a press conference for the Disney+ series “The Acolyte" at CGV in Yongsan District, Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
By Lee Gyu-lee
Actor says he wanted to create more compassionate character
The latest installment in the Star Wars franchise, “The Acolyte,” holds special significance, particularly for Lee Jung-jae, as his first English-language role and as the first Asian actor to play a Jedi master character in a much-loved series.
The actor shared that he tried to make his character, Master Sol, more sympathetic to differentiate him from previous Jedi master characters.
“(My character) is considered the senior to the Jedi portrayed previously, so I thought a lot about how to portray the character initially. Instead of making it stereotypical, I thought it would be better to make him be more open to human emotions,” he said during a press conference for the series at CGV in Yongsan District, central Seoul, Wednesday.
“I tried to express various emotions more overtly, like fear and sorrow. That way, I felt the character would have a different tone than the Jedi we've seen before. But at the same time, as I watched the performances of the previous Jedi, I also sought how I can make the character relevant and connected to those Jedi so it has the continuity that passes down to them from my character.”
Actor Lee Jung-jae, right, plays the role of Jedi Master Sol in the series “The Acolyte." Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
Disney+'s new eight-part show, releasing on Wednesday, is set at the end of the High Republic era, about 100 years before “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace” (1999). It revolves around a former Padawan (apprentice) named Osha and her twin sister Mae, both portrayed by Amandla Stenberg.
When one of the Jedi gets murdered, Osha reunites with Sol (Lee Jung-jae), her former Jedi master, accompanying his investigation into the crime. As further crimes and more clues emerge, they uncover a dark path and confront forces more sinister than they ever anticipated.
The sci-fi series is created, scripted and led by Leslye Headland, whose previous work includes Netflix’s comedy series, “Russian Doll.”
Lee, who was familiar with the director from watching “Russian Doll,” was captivated by the series' deeply human story.
“When I learned director Headland was going to do Star Wars, I felt there could be a refreshing and unexpectedly impressive series. And as expected, I really liked the plot when I read the script,” he said.
“The characters’ emotions felt very warm and heartfelt. It depicts the characters’ pain deeply that comes from misunderstanding so it highlights the efforts they made to recover that pain, which conveyed a strong sense of humanity.”
A scene from the series “The Acolyte" / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
The series cast members from diverse cultures, which stirred complaints from some of the franchise’s fans. In an interview with The New York Times last month, Headland addressed the criticism, saying, "Anyone who engages in bigotry, racism, or hate speech … I don’t consider a fan."
As the first Asian Jedi master, Lee expressed his respect for every fan's opinion. He added that having an Asian cast member in the earlier setting of the Star Wars universe felt natural, given the franchise's many Asian influences.
“Since ‘The Acolyte is set in space, it even features aliens. I think it was the director’s intention to have more diverse characters as well … The customs, martial arts and certain gestures of previously depicted Jedi and even hairstyle and philosophy reflect Asian elements in some parts,” he said.
“So if you trace back where this Asian influence came from, it’s natural to have an Asian Jedi Master in the earlier era. And that’s why I think I was cast.”