Lee Jung-jae net worth: How much does Squid Game's player 456 really make?

Time of India

15 hours ago

When Squid Game hit Netflix in 2021, it didn't just make waves—it caused a full-blown pop culture tsunami. The dark, twisted survival drama became an instant global obsession, topping charts in 94 countries and inspiring everything from Halloween costumes and memes to late-night debates and TikTok theories.
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And right at the heart of all that madness? A guy in a green tracksuit: Lee Jung-jae, better known to fans as Seong Gi-hun or Player 456.
Thanks to Squid Game, Lee went from being a Korean A-lister to an international icon almost overnight. Naturally, fans started asking the big questions: How much is this guy worth now?
Before the tracksuit, he was already a big deal
Here's the thing—while most of the world got their first glimpse of Lee Jung-jae in Squid Game, he was already a huge name back home in South Korea.
He kicked off his career as a model in the early '90s and quickly moved into acting, starring in big-name projects like City of the Rising Sun, Il Mare (yep, the one The Lake House was based on), and The Housemaid.
He's won major awards, delivered hits across all kinds of genres—romance, action, thrillers—and built a rep as one of Korea's top-tier talents. So Squid Game wasn't his breakout role; it was more like the role that introduced him to the rest of the world.
His squid game paycheck was solid
So let's talk numbers. As per reports, Lee was paid about 300 million KRW per episode, which translates to around $250,000 USD. Multiply that by 9 episodes, and he walked away with roughly $2.25 million for the first season.
Now, sure, that's not 'Hollywood superstar' money (the Friends cast famously made $1 million per episode in their later seasons), but in the world of K-dramas? That's top-shelf stuff.
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Lee was already one of the highest-paid actors in South Korea, and Squid Game just turned up the volume.
And honestly, the real win from Squid Game wasn't the paycheck—it was the global exposure.
So what's Lee Jung-jae's net worth in 2025?
Fast forward to now, and estimates peg Lee Jung-jae's net worth at somewhere between $12 million and $15 million USD. Not too shabby, right?
But here's the part most people miss—acting isn't his only gig. Lee also directs, produces, and co-owns a production company called Artist Company, which he started with fellow actor (and longtime friend) Jung Woo-sung.
So besides acting, he's making money behind the scenes—through producing films, investing in entertainment, and even dabbling in real estate.
The Squid Game effect isn't over yet
With Squid Game Season 2 expected to drop in late 2025, Lee's earnings are only going up from here. Rumor has it he could be making up to $1 million per episode for the next season, which would put him squarely in Hollywood salary territory.
And don't forget—he also landed a major role in Star Wars: The Acolyte, playing a Jedi Master, no less.
That's Disney money. Add in international brand endorsements (like Gucci), award-winning roles, and directing credits, and yeah… Player 456 is absolutely leveling up.
So, how much does Squid Game's Lee Jung-jae really make? A lot—and it's only growing. With a current net worth hovering around $15 million, multiple revenue streams, and a booming global profile, Lee isn't just cashing in on one big hit. He's building a career that's got staying power.
From K-drama royalty to global superstar to Jedi Master? Yeah, he's playing the long game—and crushing it.