Post-Squid Game, Lee Jungjae Becomes Global Star

The Paris Korean Film Festival (FFCP) staged a special screening of the action noir hit DELIVER US FROM EVIL (2020) in France on February 27. The film was originally screened at the 15th edition of the FFCP last year, and this new screening was an opportunity for audiences who have recently become fans of Lee Jungjae, following the success of Squid Game, to catch another of the actor’s signature roles.

From director Hong Wonchan, DELIVER US FROM EVIL follows a hitman trying to get out of the game who is forced to travel to Thailand when the daughter of an acquaintance goes missing. Following him, there is the vicious brother of the Japanese gangster he killed during a recent contract. Lee plays the vengeful brother while Hwang Jungmin features as the hitman. 

Lee’s fiery performance and loud wardrobe drew a lot of attention in Korea, and the film became a hit in the summer of 2020, when it welcomed over 4.3 million viewers, making it the most successful Korean film to be released during the pandemic.

Though Lee has been a leading man since the 1990s, known for films such as Il Mare (2000), The Housemaid (2010) and New World (2013), he became a global star over the past few months thanks to his leading role in the smash hit drama series Squid Game, the most popular Netflix Original of all time. The role has landed him several major nominations for Best Actor in a Drama Series at the Gotham Independent Film Awards, Critics' Choice Television Award and the Golden Globes. 

Last week, Lee made history when he earned the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series Award at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).