Lee Jung-jae became an overnight sensation after starring in the legendary drama “Sandglass.” With his princely appearance, many assume he grew up in privilege, but few know about his difficult past. Unlike the life of luxury people imagine, he was born into extreme poverty—similar to his “Squid Game” character, Seong Gi-hun—and endured a challenging childhood.
Far from the towering figure he is today, young Lee Jung-jae was small in stature and nicknamed “Soso.” In a 2022 appearance on tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block,” he revealed his painful past. As a child, his family was evicted from their home due to financial struggles, forcing them into a cramped one-room space without a bathroom. Eventually, their circumstances worsened, and they had to live separately.
He recalled feeling embarrassed about not being able to afford gifts for friends’ birthdays and having to hide his toes when his socks developed holes. Poverty followed him into high school, where he was publicly punished for unpaid tuition, leaving emotional and physical scars.
Beyond financial struggles, another hardship weighed on him—his older brother’s autism. From a young age, he took on the responsibility of caring for his brother. However, he never saw it as a burden, saying, “He was my family, not a weight to bear. It just meant I had to be more responsible.” Taking on household responsibilities early on made him mature beyond his years.
Adding to his struggles, he once faced financial ruin when his agency went bankrupt, leaving him without pay and in debt. However, he persevered, and today, he stands among the biggest names in entertainment. His role in Netflix’s “Squid Game” catapulted him to global fame, making him the first Korean actor to win the Emmy for Best Actor.
Thanks to the success of “Squid Game,” his earnings skyrocketed. Reports indicate that for “Squid Game 2,” his per-episode salary is a staggering 1.3 billion won (~$1M), the highest in Korean drama history. Addressing this, he candidly admitted, “There are some misunderstandings, but it’s true that I earn a lot.”
With a $100 million budget, “Squid Game 2” became Korea’s most expensive drama, setting the stage for another global phenomenon. Riding on this momentum, “Squid Game 3” is set to premiere on June 26.
Beyond acting, Lee Jung-jae has ventured into directing and production, solidifying his place as an industry powerhouse. Despite his midlife age, he continues to take on new challenges, proving himself as an inspiration to many.
In his personal life, he has been in a public relationship with Im Se-ryung, vice chairman of Daesang Group, since 2015. The couple frequently appears at international film festivals and major award shows. However, given her status as a non-celebrity and mother of two, they maintain a discreet but strong relationship. Im Se-ryung was previously married to Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, with whom she has a son and daughter.
From a childhood of hardship to becoming a globally recognized superstar, Lee Jung-jae’s story is one of resilience and triumph. As he continues to evolve as an actor, director, and entrepreneur, his journey remains an inspiration for dreamers worldwide.
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