Lee Jung-jae 2025 Press Tour: Gi-hun, Finale & Squid Game

There’s a reason people keep returning to Squid Game: the man behind Player 456. Lee Jung-jae, the 52-year-old actor who brought Seong Gi-hun to life, spent the first half of 2025 crisscrossing the globe to promote the show’s final season. In interviews from Seoul to New York, he offered raw insights into the character’s heartbreaking journey, the finale’s polarizing reception, and the series’ enduring cultural footprint. This article maps his media tour, what he said, and what it all means for fans and critics alike.

Age: 52 ·
Final season premiere: June 27, 2025 ·
Promotional cities: 3 (New York, Seoul, London) ·
Seasons: 3

Six key biographical and show details, one pattern: Lee Jung-jae’s identity is inseparable from Gi-hun, and the final season represents a career-defining moment.

Lee Jung-jae’s 2025 Press Tour: A Global Map

The promotional itinerary for Squid Game season 3 was as sprawling as the show’s global audience. According to Forbes (business magazine), Lee Jung-jae’s schedule included stops in New York City, Seoul, and London throughout June 2025. The tour kicked off with a January interview at The Korea Times (South Korean daily), then ramped up with Netflix’s Tudum fan event in June.

Three key media appearances defined the promotional push:

• Netflix Tudum (June 2025): Lee told The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade) he was “very nervous” about fan reactions to the finale.
• Forbes interview (June 26, 2025): Conducted at Netflix’s NYC office, covered his global tour and character arc – Forbes.
• Chosun Biz interview (July 3, 2025): Lee discussed mixed reviews of season 3, saying he “could not yet feel the ending” – Chosun Biz (Korean business daily).

The implication: Lee’s global tour wasn’t just marketing – it was a careful calibration of audience expectations. The Korea Times reported that Lee admired director Hwang Dong-hyuk for ending the series on his own terms, reinforcing the creative integrity behind the final season.

What He Said About Gi-hun and the Ending

Lee Jung-jae’s interviews consistently returned to the emotional weight of playing Seong Gi-hun. In the January 2025 Korea Times interview, he described Gi-hun as “the most heartbreaking” character he has ever portrayed. That sentiment echoed through his later appearances.

• On the character’s arc: “Gi-hun is a man who lost everything and still tries to find meaning” – Forbes.
• On the finale: “I could not yet feel the ending of Seong Gi-hun” – Chosun Biz.
• On the director’s vision: Lee praised Hwang Dong-hyuk for “ending the series with integrity” – The Korea Times.

The pattern: Lee’s comments reveal a performer who is both proud of the work and anxious about how it will be received. His inability to “feel” the ending suggests that the finale leaves room for interpretation – a deliberate choice by Hwang.

Fan Reactions and the Show’s Global Impact

The final season of Squid Game premiered on June 27, 2025, and immediately sparked debate. The Hollywood Reporter noted that Lee’s own nervousness reflected the divided fanbase. A spoiler interview on The Movie Podcast (Apple Podcasts) released on June 28 gave deeper insight into the cast’s perspective.

Three key fan reaction trends emerged:

• Mixed reviews: Chosun Biz reported that Lee addressed the polarized reception directly.
• Cast Q&A support: A YouTube Q&A with cast members including Lee Byung-hun and Choi Seung-hyun showed a united front.
• Global discussion: The show’s influence on K-drama visibility and streaming habits remains a major talking point.

Timeline: Lee Jung-jae’s Key 2025 Moments

A chronological look at the actor’s promotional activities for the final season.

• 2025-01-05: First major interview, The Korea Times – Lee calls Gi-hun “the most heartbreaking” character.
• 2025-06 (early): Forbes interview at Netflix NYC office – Forbes.
• 2025-06-20: YouTube interview posted – YouTube.
• 2025-06-23: Next Best Picture interview – YouTube / Next Best Picture.
• 2025-06-27: Season 3 premieres on Netflix.
• 2025-06-28: The Movie Podcast spoiler interview – Apple Podcasts.
• 2025-07-03: Chosun Biz interview – Lee says he “could not yet feel the ending.”
• 2025-07-03: Korea Times interview – Lee praises Hwang Dong-hyuk for ending the series with integrity.

Clarity: Confirmed Facts vs. What’s Unclear

Quotes: Lee Jung-jae in His Own Words

“Gi-hun is the most heartbreaking character I have played.”

— Lee Jung-jae, The Korea Times, January 2025

“I was very nervous about how fans would react to the finale.”

— Lee Jung-jae at Netflix Tudum, reported by The Hollywood Reporter, June 2025

“I could not yet feel the ending of Seong Gi-hun.”

— Lee Jung-jae, Chosun Biz, July 2025

“I admire [Hwang Dong-hyuk] for ending the series on his own terms.”

— Lee Jung-jae, The Korea Times, July 2025

The trade-off: Lee’s honesty about his own unresolved feelings may actually deepen fan engagement. The interviews reveal an actor who is not just promoting a product but wrestling with the legacy of a character that defined his career.

Related reading

• Han Hyo-joo: Biography, Age, Height, Net Worth
• Park Jin-joo Biography: Age, Husband, Movies & FAQs (2025)

For a deeper look at his career trajectory, Lee Jung-jaes complete biography offers additional context on his rise from model to Emmy-winning actor.

Frequently asked questions

For Squid Game fans worldwide, the final season delivers a conclusion that is as controversial as it is definitive. The choice is clear: accept the ending as creator Hwang Dong-hyuk intended, or remain haunted by Gi-hun’s unresolved fate.