Before Lee Jung-jae was Seong Gi-hun, the desperate, tracksuit-wearing protagonist of Squid Game, he was something entirely different. He was the face of a nation. If you’re only catching up with him now through Netflix or his recent stint in the Star Wars universe, you’re basically starting a book at the final chapter. To understand why he’s a titan in Korea, you have to go back. Back to 1990s Seoul.
The lee jung jae 90s era wasn't just some experimental phase for a young actor. It was a cultural explosion. It was the birth of the "Cool" in modern Korean media.
From Coffee Shop to Cinema
Honestly, his start sounds like something out of a bad screenplay. He was a 21-year-old kid working at a cafe in Apgujeong-dong—the Beverly Hills of Seoul. Designer Ha Yong-soo spotted him, probably noticed that bone structure, and basically said, "Stop making lattes and start modeling." He did. But he didn't stay on the runway for long.
By 1993, he landed a spot in Dinosaur Teacher. He became a star overnight. Literally.
You've gotta realize that the Korean entertainment landscape in the early 90s was undergoing a massive shift. The country was moving away from decades of military rule into a more liberal, tech-savvy democracy. People wanted new faces. They wanted Lee Jung-jae.
The Bodyguard Everyone Cried For
If there is one thing you need to know about lee jung jae 90s history, it’s the 1995 drama Sandglass (Moraesigye).
This show wasn't just popular; it was a societal event. People called it the "Ghost Drama" because streets would go silent when it aired. Everyone was at home watching. Lee played Baek Jae-hee, a silent, stoic bodyguard who was hopelessly in love with the heroine, Go Hyun-jung.
He barely spoke. Like, actually barely said a word. But he didn't need to.
His character’s death in that series is still one of the most traumatizing moments in K-drama history for an entire generation. He wasn't even the lead, but he walked away with the Best New Actor awards at the Baeksang Arts Awards and the SBS Drama Awards. He became a national heartthrob. And then, at the height of this madness, he did what every Korean man must: he went to the military.
Why the lee jung jae 90s Run Almost Ended
The military service usually kills a career. Especially in the 90s when there was no social media to keep your face relevant. When Lee returned in 1997, the industry had moved on. He was sort of... struggling.
He didn't just sit around, though. He went back to school. Dongguk University. He studied theater and film, basically deciding that if the "pretty boy" thing was over, he’d become a real actor.
The gamble paid off.
1998: The Year Everything Changed (Again)
Most people think his comeback started with City of the Rising Sun, but it was actually a film called An Affair in 1998. It was scandalous. It was moody. It was about a man falling for his fiancée's older sister. It showed a vulnerability that people hadn't seen in the "Bodyguard" era.
Then came City of the Rising Sun (1999).
This is where he met Jung Woo-sung. They are still best friends today, often called the "Cheongdam-dong Married Couple" because they’re always together. In the film, Lee played Hong-gi, a low-level, selfish gambler. He was a bit of a jerk. He was messy.
He won Best Actor at the Blue Dragon Film Awards for it. He was only 26. To this day, he remains one of the youngest actors to ever win that trophy.
The 90s Legacy
What most people get wrong is thinking Lee Jung-jae is a "new" international star. He’s been the blueprint for 30 years.
- The Style: In the 90s, he defined the "chic" urban look that many idols still try to emulate today.
- The Range: He went from a silent protector in Sandglass to a pathetic gambler in City of the Rising Sun.
- The Business: He started his first businesses in the late 90s, including an Italian restaurant chain called Il Mare (named after his famous 2000 film).
He wasn't just an actor; he was a brand before we used that word for people.
How to Watch the lee jung jae 90s Classics Today
If you want to actually see this era for yourself, it’s easier than you think, though some of the older stuff is a bit grainy.
- Sandglass (1995): Look for it on specialized K-drama streaming sites. It’s a history lesson and a masterpiece.
- The Young Man (1994): This was his big-screen debut. It’s very 90s—lots of denim and angst.
- City of the Rising Sun (1999): Absolute must-watch for the chemistry between him and Jung Woo-sung.
Stop thinking of him as just the guy from Squid Game. He’s a survivor of an industry that eats its young. He’s been through the highs of the 90s, the slumps of the mid-2000s, and the global dominance of the 2020s.
Next time you see him on a red carpet, remember: that guy once had the entire population of South Korea heading home early just to see if his character would smile.
Your next step? Find a copy of City of the Rising Sun. It’s the perfect bridge between the young heartthrob of the 90s and the nuanced powerhouse he is today. You’ll see exactly why he’s never really left the spotlight.