Squid Game Actor Lee Jung-Jae Becomes FIRST Korean Star To Receive Chaplin Award Asia

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a historic achievement, Squid Game star Lee Jung-Jae has become the first Korean actor to receive the prestigious Chaplin Award Asia, announced on October 3 in Singapore. The award recognizes his exceptional contribution to Asian cinema and his ability to connect with audiences worldwide through powerful storytelling and diverse roles.

Lee Jung-Jae expresses gratitude

According to the organisers, Lee was honored for his enduring and positive influence on Asian cinema. Accepting the award, he expressed his gratitude, saying, “It’s nerve-wracking and humbling to receive an award in the name of Charlie Chaplin, a revered filmmaker, artist, and creative icon. I hope to use this recognition to have a positive impact as an Asian filmmaker.”The Chaplin Award is one of the most celebrated lifetime achievement honours in the film industry, presented annually by Film at Lincoln Center (FLC) in New York. Since the introduction of the Asia category in 2018, recipients have included notable Chinese-speaking actors and directors such as Tony Leung, Zhang Yimou, and Brigitte Lin. Lee’s recognition marks a milestone for Korean cinema on the global stage.

Lee Jung-Jae's glorious career

Lee Jung-Jae rose to international fame with Netflix’s Squid Game, where he played the unforgettable role of Seong Gi-hun, a debt-ridden man who becomes part of a deadly survival game. The series became a worldwide phenomenon, winning multiple Emmy Awards and cementing Lee as a global star. He even won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, becoming the first Asian actor to achieve the feat.Beyond Squid Game, Lee has enjoyed a prolific career spanning three decades. He began as a model before transitioning to acting with roles in films like Il Mare (2000), New World (2013), The Housemaid (2010), and Deliver Us from Evil (2020). More recently, he made his Hollywood debut with Star Wars: The Acolyte.Lee is set to return to Korean television with the upcoming tvN drama Nice to Not Meet You, further proving his versatility and staying power. His Chaplin Award Asia honor not only celebrates his achievements but also symbolises the growing global recognition of Korean cinema.