777rainbow Get to know ‘Squid Game’ star Lee Byung-hun through his notable works

Lee Byung-hun. —Image: Courtesy of Netflix Korea

Lee Byung-hun might’ve been active in the entertainment industry since the 1990s, but “Squid Game” season two propelled him into widespread popularity. His cameo appearance in season one hinted at the backstory of the mysterious Frontman, until he was able to captivate audiences with his tragic turn to the dark side in its sequel.

Known as a “Chungmuro (crème de la crème) actor” in South Korea, Lee is widely recognized for his success in film and television, particularly due to his signature nuanced acting style. He doesn’t explode into a dramatic monologue or go all-out with his gestures. But the way he portrays different emotions through his eyes, facial expressions, or body language shows how he deeply understands his character.

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His betrayal of Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) in season two came as a shock to audiences, as he already appears conflicted about his role in the deadly games. His fate will be revealed in season three, and he will reconcile with his brother for good.

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As the world discovers more about Lee, allow us to take a closer look at some of his notable performances in film and drama.

‘Beautiful Days (2001)’

Before “Stairway to Heaven” and “Tree Heaven” became a global sensation, Lee was among the lead stars of “Beautiful Days,” the first iteration of filmmaker Lee Jang-soo’s “Heaven” trilogy. A once-happy love story is bogged down as Kim Yeon-soo (Choi Ji-woo) is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

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The drama was a canvas for Lee to show off his dramatic skills in full display, as he traded his acting style for emotive expressions and gut-wrenching lines.

Article continues after this advertisement ‘Once in a Summer (2006)’

A love story during the tumultuous presidency of former dictator Park Chung-hee, Yun Suk-young (Lee) and Seo Jung-in’s (Soo Ae) courtship faced difficulties as both come from different backgrounds.

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Lee doesn’t accept romance films or dramas often. Despite this, the film showed his vulnerability especially when faced with threats toward one’s life and freedom. The storyline is proof that the actor doesn’t take on the usual plot, which allowed him to display his signature acting style in full display.

‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)’

One of Lee’s works outside South Korea, “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” kickstarted his journey to make it into Hollywood. The science fiction film centers around American soldiers joining the G.I. Joe Team after being attacked.

"This series is not just about the two teams playing; it's about reviving the spirit of hockey in Delhi. We hope this will inspire more young players from the region to take up the game," Harmanpreet stated in a press release issued by Hockey India.

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed his enthusiasm and stated: "This bilateral series against Germany will be a remarkable showcase of world-class hockey. Both India and Germany have a rich history in the sport, and this series will give fans an opportunity to witness an intense competition between two of the most formidable teams in the world.

Lee took on the role of Storm Shadow, a member of the Arashikage ninja clan. While he was initially unfamiliar with the franchise, he was able to showcase his acting skills despite it being done in a foreign language. Certain scenes showed him having an awkward English accent yet he managed to pull off his character without turning off the viewer completely.

‘Iris (2009)’

Kim Hyun-jun (Lee) and Jin Sa-woo (Jung Jun-ho) trained under a Special Mission Group until they were scouted by the National Security Service. They meet and fall in love with a beautiful agent named Choi Seung-hee (Kim Tae-hee), who keeps her identity a secret.

“Iris” showed Lee displaying his action chops while showing the turmoil of someone being entangled in political warfare. While the actor mostly appears in films, the drama was a rare chance for him to show off his multiple strengths in full display.

‘Masquerade (2012)’

King Gwang-hae (Lee) is overwhelmed with anxiety after fears of a possible assassination swept the kingdom. He seeks the help of his Secretary of Defense to search for someone who can pose as him. This leads the King to meet Ha-sun (Lee), an acrobat who mysteriously looks like him.

Taking on dual roles is not an easy task but Lee pulled off the differences of being a king and joker without a hitch. Portraying two characters at once is not new in films and drama. However, Lee was able to draw the line in separating his portrayal without mixing them up.

‘Mr. Sunshine (2018)’

Set in the 1900s, Eugene Choi (Lee) returns to Korea as the captain of the United States Marine Corps where he’s forced to choose between joining his love Go Ae-shin (Kim Tae-ri) in fighting for the country’s independence or distancing himself out of duty.

Lee carries a suave portrayal of Eugene Choi in the drama, as he intends to move on from his traumatic past as a Joseon slave. Yet his heart softens as he gives in to love. His initial suaveness was ultimately broken down, even though it was merely his eyes and facial expressions doing the work.

‘Concrete Utopia (2023)’

An earthquake-stricken Seoul forced several residents to evacuate into livable areas, but the Imperial Palace Apartments under the leadership of Yeong-tak (Lee) is a haven due to its complete resources.

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“Concrete Utopia” departs from Lee’s signature nuanced portrayal as the final act featured scenes of him exploding into a madman. But the actor didn’t stop himself from showing how Yeong-tak became the way he is777rainbow, relying on the human side of a crazed leader without delving too much into their dictator-like territory.

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