Lee Jung-Jae Fans ~ Five (5) Must-Watch Korean Dramas

Lee Jung-Jae catapulted to international stardom for his role in Netflix’s survival Korean drama series “Squid Game”. But Lee Jung-Jae must surely be on several lists of South Korean Best Actors ~ the best, the most famous, award-winning, etc. His filmography is impressive and dates back to 1993 (before K-dramas were cool). According to pantheon.world, he is the “5th most famous South Korean Actor. His biography has been translated into 33 different languages”.

Lee Jung-Jae has played a wide range of characters ~ good guys and bad guys. Regardless of the overall rating given by viewers, his performances in the movies and TV series that I have watched should be rated 5 out of 5 stars.

One more PLUS! In September 2022, Lee Jung-Jae joined the Star Wars Universe. He was cast as the male lead in the Star Wars series “The Acolyte”, set to be released on Disney+ in 2024.

If you recently became a fan of Lee Jung-Jae because of the “Squid Game” series, here is a list of five (5) Korean dramas for your watch list. Many are available on streaming platforms to watch free or free with ads. To make it easy, the list is in alpha order, not by date of release.

• Assassination (2015)
• Chief of Staff 1 and 2 (2019)
• Deliver Us From Evil (2020)
• The Face Reader (2013)
• Hunt (2022)

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(1) Assassination (2015); Historical; Political; Action; Thriller

Lee Jung-Jae plays Yeom Seok Jin.

PLOT SUMMARY:

“Assassination” is set in 1933 during the Japanese occupation of Korea, and involves a group of resistance fighters on a daring mission to o assassinate a high-ranking Japanese officer and a Korean collaborator who supports the Japanese forces.

This film is a realistic recreation of the tumultuous atmosphere of 1930s Korea. Characters not only strive to carry out a dangerous and difficult mission, but must also be on constant alert for “the enemy within”, i.e. being betrayed by their own comrades. The storyline is engaging because of the historical authenticity, suspenseful and clever plot twists, intense action sequences, and the compelling characters who comprise the mission team. Where to Watch

RATINGS:

• IMDb: 7.2 out of 10 stars
• MyDramaList: 8.2 out of 10 stars

Well. “ASSASSINATION Official Trailer | Korean Drama Action Crime Adventure | Directed by Choi Dong-Hoon.” YouTube Video. YouTube, September 2, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRodYHnXWeQ.‌ VIEW TRAILER/TEASER

(2) Chief of Staff 1 and 2 (2019); Political; Drama

Lee Jung-Jae plays Jang Tae-joon.

PLOT SUMMARY:

“Chief of Staff”, Season 1, introduces Jang Tae-joon, an ambitious political aide with a troubled past, but a charismatic personality. The dark cutthroat world of Korean politics is an intricate web of power and corruption. Nevertheless, Tae-joon rises through the ranks to become the Chief of Staff. Even though he faces constant moral dilemmas and ethical challenges, he is determined in the pursuit of justice and bringing about meaningful change. His personal relationships may or may not be sacrificed.

Season 2 carries on with the political intrigue and power struggles. Tae-joon faces new adversaries, discovers secrets, and forms unexpected alliances. There are new characters and relationships evolve. Conspiracies play out that threaten not only their careers but their lives. The scriptwriters for this K-drama series skillfully weave together personal and political storylines. This intense political drama is very thought-provoking. Where to Watch

RATINGS:

• IMDb: 7.8 out of 10 stars
• MyDramaList: 8 out of 10 stars

Netflix K-Content. “Chief of Staff | Official Trailer | Netflix [ENG SUB].” YouTube Video. YouTube, June 21, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl8YMGaQRKI.‌ VIEW TRAILER/TEASER

(3) Deliver Us From Evil (2020); Crime; Action; Thriller

Lee Jung-Jae plays Ray.

PLOT SUMMARY:

“Deliver Us From Evil” proves that people who live a life of crime can never retire. In-nam performed his last contract killing and then retired; or at least, he wanted to retire. However, a guy named Ray needs help. His sister was kidnapped by a dangerous human trafficking ring and he wants In-nam to help rescue her. In-nam agrees to help Ray, and they go to Thailand.

The two main characters have great onscreen chemistry, and the action sequences are well-choreographed. This film was shot in three (3) locations: South Korea, Japan, and Thailand. “Deliver Us From Evil” was praised because it had awesome action-packed scenes, complicated plot twists, impressive cinematography, and outstanding performances by the actors. Where to Watch

RATINGS:

• IMDb: 6.8 out of 10 stars
• MyDramaList: 7.8 out of 10 stars
• Viki Viewers rated 9.3 out of 10 stars

Well. “DELIVER US from EVIL Official US Trailer | Korean Crime Action Adventure | Directed by Hong Won-Chan.” YouTube Video. YouTube, April 6, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKUEsWGrQXs.‌ VIEW TRAILER/TEASER

(4) The Face Reader (2013); Historical; Thriller; Drama

Lee Jung-Jae plays Grand Prince Suyang.

PLOT SUMMARY:

“The Face Reader” (2013) is an award-winning film. It is set during the Joseon Dynasty in the year is 1455. Nae-gyeong can “read faces”, i.e. he uses the age-old art of physiognomy to discern a person’s character and fate by studying their facial features. Nae-gyeong prefers to avoid the palace intrigue and the demands of the royal court. However, there is a royal power struggle going on. The current king Munjong wants him to identify the potential traitors who threaten his reign. He is summoned to read the face of Grand Prince Suyang, who is vying for the throne. If only, he could not read faces because Nae-gyeong believes the prince is going to plot treason to take the throne. The visually stunning cinematography, along with the costumes and set designs recreate the grandeur of the Joseon Dynasty. The stellar cast convincingly portrays real historical figures and their performances are memorable. Where to Watch

RATINGS:

• IMDb: 6.8 out of 10 stars
• MyDramaList: 7.7 out of 10 stars

TheMovieChanneI. “The Face Reader – Trailer.” YouTube Video. YouTube, September 28, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9YoyvBAMWI.‌ VIEW TRAILER/TEASER

(5) Hunt (2022); Action; Spy Thriller

Lee Jung-Jae plays Park Pyung-Ho.

PLOT SUMMARY:

“Hunt” is set in the 1980s, a time when South Korea was experiencing political turmoil and social unrest; and was under the military dictatorship of Chun Doo-hwan. Two (2) rival agents of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), Park Pyong-ho and Kim Jung-do, must capture a North Korean spy known as Donglim. This spy has leaked classified information and plans to assassinate the South Korean president.

The personalities of Park and Kim clash and they have different methods of approaching an investigation. But they set those differences aside because they need to unite to fight the North Korean agents, and the corrupt officials within the KCIA. During the hunt they discover that Donglim is not a single person, but a code name for a network of double spies within the KCIA and other government organizations.

To their amazement, they learn that Donglim’s ultimate goal is to expose corruption in South Korea, overthrow the dictatorship, and reunite North and South Korea. Which should they choose? Their country or their conscience? Hunt is based on real historical events and characters, and the film won several awards. As well as playing one of the main characters, the film was also directed by Lee Jung-jae. Where to Watch

RATINGS:

• IMDb: 6.7 out of 10 stars
• MyDramaList: 7.7 out of 10 stars

Pictures, Magnolia. “Hunt – Official Trailer | Directed by Lee Jung-Jae.” YouTube Video. YouTube, September 29, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJUOIKg4Bic.‌ VIEW TRAILER/TEASER

LINKS OF INTEREST:

• 20 Lee Jung-jae Facts About The Veteran Actor In Squid Game | The Smart Local | South Korea
• No.456 Lee Jung-jae: The Journey from Actor to Director | KollectionK
• Lee Jung-jae Discusses the 5 Films That Made the Greatest Impact On Him | A.frame
• Lee Jung-jae joined the Star Wars universe and opens up about his experience in the filming of The Acolyte | The Direct

PeopleNation | Kdrama Stars. “Lee Jung Jae Transformation, Lifestyle Biography, Net Worth, All Movies and Dramas |1993-2022|.” YouTube Video. YouTube, October 22, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IZBuCtlNwY.

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