Lee Jung-jae in 'Star Wars' does not mimic Westerners, boosts viewership to top
Lee Jung-jae, playing Jedi Master Sol in the new Star Wars series "The Acolyte," leads the meditation of cross-legged disciples. Courtesy of Disney+
About 10 children sit cross-legged with their eyes gently closed. "Tell me what comes to mind," the master instructs.
This is not a scene from a Buddhist meditation practice. It's a moment from the first episode of "Star Wars: The Acolyte," which premiered on Disney+ on Friday. The children are Jedi younglings training to become the guardians of peace in the galaxy. Actor Lee Jung-jae appears as their master, Jedi Master Sol.
For the first time in the 47-year history of the Hollywood series, an Asian actor plays a Jedi Master. Through Lee, the drama depicts a training scene for the Jedi apprentices in an Eastern style for over a minute.
The Force, the essence of the Star Wars series and the source of Jedi power is derived from the Eastern concept of Qi. Lee Jung-jae uses this Force directly, emphasizing the Eastern worldview within the Star Wars series.
Jedi Master Sol, right, played by Lee Jung-jae, and his disciple Yord, played by Charlie Barnett, in the new Star Wars series "The Acolyte" / Courtesy of Disney+
Sung Sang-min, a pop culture critic, said, "The scene where Lee Jung-jae trains the Jedi breaks the limitations of Orientalism and authenticity that the Star Wars series has historically portrayed through Western actors as Jedi Masters."
Master Sol is revered as a true elder, embodying both wisdom and a compassionate nature. When a younger Jedi Knight named Yord (Charlie Barnett) meets Sol, he bows at a 90-degree angle instead of saluting.
"The Acolyte" is set 100 years before the events of the film "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" (1999), which covers the earliest story chronologically in the Star Wars series.
The idea that the roots of Jedi leadership in a series comparable to America's founding mythology lie with an Asian master is groundbreaking. Historically, Asian actors in Hollywood productions have been cast in peripheral roles such as "the good immigrant."
A scene from the new Star Wars series "The Acolyte" / Courtesy of Disney+
Eastern elements shine through
The Eastern influence in the series is evident throughout, including set designs featuring wooden latticework.
A notable example is in the second episode, where a three-minute fight scene prominently showcases Lee's Eastern martial arts, characterized by controlled, minimal movements instead of the typical lightsaber clashes. This scene has been compared to watching Chow Yun-fat in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
Lee appears from the middle of the first episode and plays a major role throughout the series, even leading the ending credits. His performance, delivered in a deep, resonant voice, brings a calm authority to his English lines.
Although reviews of the series have been polarized after the release of the first two episodes, both domestic and international audiences have responded positively to Lee's portrayal of a Jedi Master.
Comments on Reddit, the largest internet community in the United States, praised his performance, reading, "Lee Jung-jae brings a balance to the series," "His composed acting is impressive" and "It's like Li Mu Bai from 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' has come to Star Wars."
This positive reception is particularly noteworthy given the racial backlash that arose when a person of color was cast in a major Star Wars role before the show's release.
Actor Lee Jung-jae, right, playing Jedi Master Sol, wields the iconic lightsaber in "The Acolyte." Courtesy of Disney+
Disney targets Asian, young subscribers
"Acolyte" is reaping the benefits of the Lee Jung-jae effect. The series, released on Thursday, topped the Disney+ charts in the U.S. and Britain and maintained its global No. 1 position for four consecutive days until Sunday.
According to the U.S. magazine Variety, the first two episodes of "Acolyte" garnered 4.8 million views on their release day, the highest number for any Disney+ content released this year and 1.7 times more than the average views of the recent Star Wars series "Ahsoka" (2023).
Film market analyst Kim Hyung-ho said, "'Acolyte' may disappoint hardcore Star Wars fans, but it is approachable for newcomers to the series," adding that Disney's casting of Lee aims to refresh and broaden the aging and niche-focused series.
The success of "Acolyte" contrasts sharply with the reception of other high-budget Disney+ K-dramas like "Moving" (2023) and "Uncle Samsik," which have failed to make a significant impact on the U.S. charts.
From left, Olega Master (Nick Court), Jedi Padawan Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen), Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) and Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett) in Lucasfilm's "The Acolyte" season one / Courtesy of Disney+
This disparity is largely due to the unavailability of K-drama content on Disney+ in the U.S., where such content is only accessible through Hulu, another Disney subsidiary.
The distribution strategies for K-content differ between Disney+ in the U.S. and other regions, such as Korea. As of the first quarter of this year, Disney+ had 117.6 million paid subscribers globally, more than double Hulu's 50.2 million.
This gap has led to criticism within the domestic industry regarding the visibility of K-dramas in the U.S. video streaming market.
A content market insider familiar with global streaming trends noted, "Disney is very strict about managing its family-friendly brand image. That's why BTS-related content is available on Disney+ in both Korea and the U.S., whereas K-dramas are not."
The age rating for "Acolyte" is 12 and above in Korea, whereas "Moving" is restricted to viewers aged 18 and above.
Lee Jung-jae, left, speaks on starring in the "The Acolyte" during a press conference at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul, June 5. Yonhap
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.