Lee Byung-hun was one of the few Asian actors to break into Hollywood when opportunities were still rare.
The South Korean star – who turns 55 on July 12 – has built an enviable career spanning Korean and Hollywood films.
He first entered the Hollywood scene with G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra (2009) and returned for its sequel, G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013). He’s also appeared in Red 2 (2013), Terminator Genisys (2015) and The Magnificent Seven (2016).
Now, as he reprises his role as the mysterious Front Man in Netflix's Squid Game Season Three, Lee reflects on how much has changed for Asian actors – and for Korean content.
“Like you mentioned, I do have experience working on Hollywood blockbusters. But the Squid Game experience was truly special,” he tells StarLifestyle during a Zoom interview.
“It was amazing to tell our own story – created and executed entirely by a Korean team. That made it all the more meaningful.”
Lee, who has worked in the industry for decades, admitted he had never felt the kind of global fan enthusiasm that Squid Game brought.
“Even with my long career, this is something I’m experiencing for the first time. It’s awe-inspiring and pleasantly surprising in the best way,” he continues.
Squid Game made history as the first non-English Netflix original to top the US charts. It also topped the Netflix chart in other countries.
For the second season, the cast travalled to United States and Italy for red carpet premieres and met the international fans at these locations.
Likewise, Lee and his fellow cast were in the US and Britain recently to promote the series' third season.
Lee attributes the global success of Squid Game and other Korean content not just to strong storytelling, but also to the growth of global streaming platforms.
“In the past, many actors dreamed of being in a Hollywood production. But now, we know that if we focus on telling a great story where we are – and execute it well – it can have just as much, if not more, global impact," he says.
“That’s the biggest shift I’ve seen in recent years," says Lee, before adding, "It hasn’t changed how I approach acting, but it’s changed how I view the industry.”
Speaking at a recent press conference in Seoul, Lee also opened up about saying goodbye to the show.
“I feel bittersweet that it’s coming to an end. Like I have (felt) with many of my past projects, there’s satisfaction, but also a little sadness,” says Lee who starred in other hit K-dramas including Iris, Mr. Sunshine and Our Blues.
“What made this one (Squid Game) different was promoting Season Two in the United States and getting to meet fans face-to-face. Their support was incredible,” he adds.
With Season Three just around the corner, Lee is excited about reaching even more fans worldwide.
“We’ll be doing a lot of global promotions again, and I’m really looking forward to it,” he says.
Squid Game S3 is set to premiere in Malaysia on June 27
