Archive · 16 Sep 2025
Squid Game Star on Intense South Korean Fan Culture
In South Korea, fans treat stars like family, creating strong bonds.
This can lead to intense expectations and scrutiny of their behavior.
Actor Lee Jung-jae, who stars in Squid Game, shares his insights on this.
Fans want stars to work hard and have a good reputation.
If a star disappoints them, it can feel like a betrayal.
Social media makes the connections between stars and fans more constant, spreading rumors rapidly.
Lee tries to stay in touch with his fans through social media.
However, he accepts that rumors come with his job and avoids playing villains that could make fans dislike him.
He has a reputation as a star without airs.
Lee Jung-jae reflects on the high expectations placed on celebrities by South Korean fans.
Fans in South Korea can quickly turn into critics.
Lee was previously booked for drunken driving.
Social media has intensified the relationship between fans and celebrities.
Lee focuses on maintaining a good reputation and avoiding roles that would alienate his fans.
- Who
- Lee Jung-jae, the star of Squid Game.
- What
- Explains the intense nature of South Korean fandom and its impact on celebrities.
- When
- The article discusses experiences from his career, spanning from the 1990s to the present.
- Where
- South Korea, particularly focusing on Seoul and the entertainment industry.
- Why
- To explain the high expectations and scrutiny faced by celebrities in South Korea and its impact on their careers.
- Star's Name
- Lee Jung-jae
- Series
- Squid Game
- Incident
- DUI in 1999 & 2002
- Profession
- Actor
- Award
- First Korean Emmy Winner for acting