You know that feeling when you're watching a show and the lead actor just disappears into the role? That’s exactly what happened with Player 456. We all call him the "Squid Game guy" or the "red-haired dude," but if you're looking for Seong Gi-hun real name, you're actually looking for Lee Jung-jae.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild.
Most people in the West didn't even know who he was before Netflix dropped that giant mechanical doll on our screens in 2021. But in South Korea? The man is a literal titan. He isn't just some guy who got lucky with a global hit; he’s been a superstar since the 90s.
Who exactly is Lee Jung-jae?
Before he was the sweating, desperate, and ultimately vengeful Seong Gi-hun, Lee Jung-jae was a fashion model. You can see it in his older photos—the sharp jawline, the "it" factor. He made his acting debut in 1993 with Dinosaur Teacher, and basically became a household name overnight.
He didn't just stick to being a pretty face, though.
He’s played everything from a silent bodyguard in Sandglass—a show so popular that people actually closed their shops early to go home and watch it—to a terrifying undercover cop in the gangster epic New World.
When he took the role of Seong Gi-hun, he took a massive risk. He had to look... well, kinda pathetic. Greasy hair, slumped shoulders, that weirdly charming yet tragic gap-toothed grin. For a guy who was used to playing "cool" leading men, transforming into a gambling addict living with his mom was a total 180.
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The awards that changed everything
It’s one thing to be famous in your home country. It’s another thing to walk onto the stage at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles and make history.
In 2022, the man behind Seong Gi-hun real name did exactly that. Lee Jung-jae became the first Asian actor to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Think about that for a second. He won for a show that wasn't even in English.
He also scooped up:
- A Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award.
- A Critics' Choice Television Award.
- Independent Spirit Award.
It wasn't just about the trophy, though. It was the validation that Korean storytelling—and specifically his nuanced performance—could translate across every single cultural border.
Beyond the Green Tracksuit
If you think he's just sitting around waiting for the next season of Squid Game, you haven't been paying attention. The guy is a workhorse.
He recently made his directorial debut with a spy thriller called Hunt. He didn't just direct it; he wrote the screenplay and starred in it too. It premiered at Cannes, which is basically the Olympics for film nerds.
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Oh, and then there’s the whole "Star Wars" thing.
Lee Jung-jae joined the Disney+ series The Acolyte as a Jedi Master. Watching the guy we first saw licking a honeycomb in a life-or-death game suddenly swinging a lightsaber was a trip for most fans. It showed his range—from a man at the bottom of the social ladder to a powerful, disciplined warrior in a galaxy far, far away.
Why Seong Gi-hun matters in 2026
We’ve now seen the full arc of the character through the later seasons. By the time we hit the end of the series, the Gi-hun we knew—the naive, kind-hearted screw-up—is gone.
Lee Jung-jae actually talked about this a lot in interviews. He mentioned how he had to lose about 22 pounds (10 kilograms) to show the physical toll the games took on his soul. He didn't want to just act tired; he wanted the audience to feel the "anguish and pain" in his bones.
There was even a point in the final production where he stayed on a strict diet for 14 months just to nail those last, harrowing shots of Gi-hun as a man who has lost everything but his sense of justice.
It’s that level of dedication that makes him more than just a meme.
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What most people get wrong about him
People often think Lee Jung-jae is just a dramatic actor.
But if you watch his early work, like City of the Rising Sun, you see he’s got incredible comedic timing. He’s also a savvy businessman. He co-founded a talent agency (Artist Company) with his best friend and fellow actor Jung Woo-sung. He owns a chain of Italian restaurants. He’s involved in real estate.
Basically, he’s the polar opposite of the debt-ridden Seong Gi-hun.
Quick Facts about Lee Jung-jae:
- Born: December 15, 1972 (He’s in his 50s, believe it or not).
- Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea.
- First Big Hit: Sandglass (1995).
- Directorial Debut: Hunt (2022).
What to watch if you want more
If you’re a fan of his work as Seong Gi-hun but haven't explored his other stuff, you’re missing out. Here is a quick "starter pack" of Lee Jung-jae movies that aren't Squid Game:
- The Housemaid (2010): A dark, erotic thriller where he plays a wealthy, manipulative husband. It's super tense.
- New World (2013): If you like The Departed, you'll love this. He plays an undercover cop torn between his duty and his loyalty to a gang.
- The Face Reader (2013): A historical drama. His entrance in this movie is widely considered one of the coolest scenes in Korean cinema history.
- Deliver Us From Evil (2020): He plays a flamboyant, terrifying assassin. The fashion alone is worth the watch.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Now that you know the name behind the legend, don't just stop at the Netflix landing page.
Check out his directorial work in Hunt to see how he handles things behind the camera. It’s available on most streaming platforms now.
Also, keep an eye on his business ventures. The way he and Jung Woo-sung have built their agency is a masterclass in how actors can take control of their own careers.
Finally, if you’re planning a rewatch of Squid Game, pay attention to his eyes in the first episode versus the last. You’ll see exactly why Lee Jung-jae is considered a master of his craft. He doesn't just play a character; he lives through them, and we’re all just lucky to be along for the ride.