South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae, best known globally for his role as Seong Gi-hun (Player 456) in Netflix&rsquo;s Squid Game, has expressed a strong interest in joining Indian cinema. In a recent virtual interview, the Emmy-winning star said he would love to be a part of a Bollywood film if offered the opportunity. His remarks have sparked excitement among Indian fans and filmmakers, adding fresh momentum to the growing synergy between Korean and Indian entertainment industries.
Lee&rsquo;s admiration for Indian cinema comes at a time when Korean content enjoys a robust following in India, particularly among younger audiences. K-dramas and K-pop have already carved a space in India&rsquo;s streaming ecosystem, and Squid Game&rsquo;s success only deepened this fascination. Season 3 of the dystopian thriller, which premiered on June 27, 2025, is currently one of the top-watched shows in India, second only to Amazon Prime Video&rsquo;s Panchayat 4.
Reflecting on his experience returning to Squid Game for the final season, Lee shared that stepping into the shoes of Gi-hun again was an emotionally charged moment. When I put on the green tracksuit with the number 456 and saw the red hair in the mirror again, it brought a wave of nostalgia, he said. It felt like stepping into an old memory, but with new weight. The role of Gi-hun not only catapulted him to international stardom but also earned him a historic Primetime Emmy Award, making him the first Asian male actor to win in a lead category.
Squid Game 3 concludes the saga with an unexpected twist that left many viewers stunned: Gi-hun&rsquo;s death. Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has said the ending was meant to provoke reflection on society&rsquo;s darker truths. Lee echoed this sentiment, crediting the show&rsquo;s raw storytelling and release timing as key to its massive global impact. It captured something real about the world, inequality, desperation, survival, and that&rsquo;s what connected with audiences everywhere.
Lee&rsquo;s openness to working in Bollywood comes as no surprise to industry watchers. With Indian cinema increasingly gaining visibility on the global stage from Oscar wins to international streaming hits a Korean-Bollywood collaboration could be both culturally rich and commercially promising.
I admire the color, energy, and emotion of Indian films, Lee said, adding that he&rsquo;s particularly fascinated by Bollywood&rsquo;s ability to blend drama, music, and social commentary in a way that connects deeply with audiences.
With international acclaim under his belt and a warm reception from Indian fans, Lee Jung-jae&rsquo;s interest in Bollywood could pave the way for a trailblazing East-meets-East cinematic partnership that fans on both sides of the globe would eagerly embrace.

Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae expresses interest in Bollywood, sparking hopes of cross-cultural cinema

Lee Jung-jae Open to Acting in Bollywood Films

Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae expresses interest in Bollywood, sparking hopes of cross-cultural cinema

July 12, 2025 | 21:25 IST