Lee Jung-jae: Child, Salary, Weight Loss & Age Gap

A few years ago, Lee Jung-jae was a well-respected actor in South Korea. Then he became Seong Gi-hun in Squid Game, and his life flipped entirely. Between the weight loss, the whirlwind romance, and the final season of Netflix’s biggest show, there’s a lot to catch up on. Here’s everything you need to know—without the speculation.

Age (as of 2024): 51 ·
Weight loss for Squid Game 2: 10 kg (22 lbs) ·
Age gap with Lim Ji-yeon: 17 years ·
Most famous role: Seong Gi-hun in Squid Game

Seven key facts about Lee Jung-jae, one pattern: his career has accelerated dramatically after Squid Game.

What this means: Lee Jung-jae’s public profile is now defined by both his acting and his personal life—two areas that barely overlapped before 2021.

Does Lee Jung-jae have a child?

Lee Jung-jae does not have any known biological children. Multiple biographical sources confirm he has never publicly acknowledged a child. Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia) lists no children in his personal life section, and interviews have never touched on fatherhood.

What is the age gap between Lee Jung-jae and Lim Ji-yeon?

The age gap between Lee Jung-jae (born 1973) and Lim Ji-yeon (born 1990) is 17 years. The Korea Herald (daily news) reported that when they were cast together in the tvN rom-com Nice to Not Meet You, online comments focused heavily on the 17-year difference. The couple confirmed their relationship in 2023.

The pattern: Lee Jung-jae’s personal life has become a matter of public record only after Squid Game thrust him into the global spotlight.

How much did Lee Jung-jae get paid for Squid Game?

Exact salary figures for Squid Game have never been officially disclosed. Forbes (business magazine) estimates his earnings from the series are substantial but unverified. Two unconfirmed social media claims—one on Facebook and another on Instagram—suggest numbers in the millions, but both lack verification.

Who is the richest actor in the Squid Game cast?

Among the main cast of Squid Game, Lee Jung-jae is widely regarded as one of the highest earners due to his lead role and subsequent global fame. However, without official figures, a definitive ranking is impossible. Celebrity Net Worth (celebrity finance site) places his net worth at around $8 million, but this is an estimate, not a confirmed figure.

What is Lee Jung-jae’s net worth?

Lee Jung-jae’s net worth is estimated to be between $5 million and $10 million according to various celebrity finance trackers. Forbes (business magazine) notes that his pre-Squid Game earnings from local films and dramas were modest, and the Netflix series has likely multiplied his income several times. No official financial disclosure exists.

The implication: without official confirmation from the actor or Netflix, all reported figures remain speculative.

Why did Lee Jung-jae lose so much weight?

Lee Jung-jae lost approximately 10 kilograms (22 pounds) through a strict diet that lasted about 14 months. He prepared for the final scene of Squid Game season 3, wanting his character Seong Gi-hun to appear so worn down that viewers could feel his anguish just by looking at him. IGN (entertainment news) reported that his diet became stricter by the day until the day he shot the scene. People (celebrity news) confirmed the same 10-kg loss and the year-long discipline behind it.

“I wanted Gi-hun to look so worn down that viewers could feel his anguish and pain just by seeing him stand there.”

— Lee Jung-jae, speaking to IGN (entertainment news)

The trade-off was worth it for an actor who believes the character’s physical transformation is essential to the story’s emotional impact.

What happened with Lee Jung-jae?

Lee Jung-jae’s career has moved in two directions at once: global stardom from Squid Game and a return to Korean rom-coms. In 2024, he starred in Nice to Not Meet You alongside his real-life partner Lim Ji-yeon. The Korea Herald (daily news) described the 16-part tvN series, which premiered on November 3, 2024, as a show that generated buzz as much for its on-screen pairing as for the actors’ off-screen relationship.

How did Lee Jung-jae start his acting career?

Lee Jung-jae began his entertainment career as a model in 1993 and made his television debut the same year. His first film role came in 1994 with The Young Man. According to Wikipedia (encyclopedia), he steadily built a reputation in Korean cinema before Squid Game made him a household name globally.

The pattern: Lee Jung-jae’s early career was entirely domestic, and his breakthrough came at age 48—later than most international stars. For Lee Jung-jae, the implication is that persistence and a single breakout role at age 48 can change everything.

Is Squid Game 3 hit or flop?

Squid Game 3, the third and final season, dropped on Netflix on June 27, 2025 (Extra via YouTube (entertainment show)). Early indicators show mixed critical reception but record-breaking viewership. IGN (entertainment news) reported that the season launched with “mixed viewer response but record-breaking viewership overall.” It is too early to call it a hit or a flop in terms of cultural impact, but commercially it has already succeeded.

“Squid Game season 3 had launched with mixed viewer response but record-breaking viewership overall.”

— IGN (entertainment news)

For Netflix and for Lee Jung-jae, the final season’s performance is less about critical consensus and more about the sheer scale of the audience.

Confirmed facts

• Lee Jung-jae has no known biological children (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• He is in a relationship with Lim Ji-yeon (The Korea Herald (daily news))
• He lost 10 kg for Squid Game‘s final season (IGN (entertainment news))
• Squid Game 3 is confirmed and in production (Extra via YouTube (entertainment show))

What’s unclear

• Exact salary for Squid Game seasons 1 and 2
• Precise net worth figure
• Whether Squid Game 3 will be a critical hit

Bottom line: Lee Jung-jae’s journey from a domestic Korean actor to a global star came with real physical costs and persistent financial unknowns. For fans, the verified facts are clear—no children, a public relationship, dramatic weight loss for his craft. For investors and industry watchers, the takeaway is that the true numbers behind Squid Game‘s paychecks remain hidden behind NDA walls.

For Lee Jung-jae, the show’s cultural impact is already secure regardless of critical consensus.

Additional sources

instagram.com

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Frequently asked questions

Is Lee Jung-jae married?

No, he is not married. He is in a public relationship with actress Lim Ji-yeon since 2023.

What is Lee Jung-jae’s height?

He is approximately 180 cm (5’11”) tall.

Does Lee Jung-jae have an Instagram account?

Yes, his official Instagram handle is @leejungjaee.official.

What is Lee Jung-jae’s next project after Squid Game?

He is set to star in the tvN rom-com Nice to Not Meet You alongside Lim Ji-yeon, premiering November 3, 2024.

How many Squid Game seasons are there?

Three seasons. The first two aired in 2021 and 2024; the third and final season dropped on June 27, 2025.

What awards has Lee Jung-jae won?

He has won multiple acting awards, including the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actor for Squid Game in 2022.

Is Lee Jung-jae friends with other Squid Game cast members?

He has publicly expressed camaraderie with co-stars like Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun, and they have appeared together at events.

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