This Indian actor is the only non-Korean in Squid Game. Now fans celebrate him as 'Prince' of K-drama
From Delhi to Korea: A Dream Too Bold to Predict
A Character That Touched Millions
From Player 199 to Prince Samir
— kdramadaisy (@kdramadaisy)
The Bridge Between Two Worlds
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Squid Game creator once sold his laptop to pay house rent. Now, fans await season 3 of a billion dollar phenomenon
As Squid Game Season 3 hits Netflix this Friday, June 27, fans are eager to return to the brutal world of deadly games and moral dilemmas. But amid the returning thrill and suspense, one name from Season 1 continues to resonate with deep emotional weight — Ali Abdul (#199), played by Indian actor Anupam Tripathi . The show may be Korean, but Ali's sincerity gave it a universal soul — and Tripathi, its most heartfelt face.Before becoming a household name, Tripathi was a theatre student from a middle-class Indian family who dared to dream differently. 'Anybody wants their kids to study and get a better job, but I was the wildest one in the home,' he told Tudum by Netflix. That defiance of expectations led him to a scholarship at Korea National University of Arts — and a one-way journey to a country where he didn't speak the language but spoke the language of performance.Tripathi's real-life story closely mirrors that of his on-screen character, Ali — a migrant worker from Pakistan navigating a foreign world with courage and desperation. In Squid Game, Ali joins the deadly contest not out of greed but for the love of his family. For Tripathi, it was no stretch to connect with Ali's quiet resilience. 'I, myself, was an immigrant in Korea looking for a better opportunity,' he said. 'He's gentle and honest. He cares for his family. I am trying, [Ali] was also trying.'Ali's story arc may have ended in betrayal, but his impact was lasting. In a narrative soaked in violence, fear, and survival, Ali stood out as the most human — the kindest. His portrayal touched hearts across the globe and made Tripathi the breakout star of a series that drew over 142 million viewers in its first month. 'I never imagined people would talk about my character,' Tripathi said humbly. 'Everybody's a huge star in South Korea. They have their craft, and I was learning from them.'Yet fans connected to Ali because he wasn't just a player. He was the pulse of decency in a game of cruelty. The only non-Korean participant in the series, he reflected an entire diaspora of people who live, work, and struggle far from home.Tripathi's rising star didn't stop with Squid Game. He went on to play Prince Samir in the hit K-drama King the Land , further embedding himself into Korea's entertainment industry. Speaking to Variety, he said, 'After Squid Game, life has turned around a lot for me. Everybody knows me in the Korean industry now.' Fans on the streets began calling him 'Ali' and later, 'Prince.'More than the recognition, Tripathi wants to use his visibility to open doors. 'I want to be called an Indian actor in Korea ,' he said. 'I feel so great that I'm representing India and foreign actors also.' He hopes for more inclusivity, even expressing a desire to see Korean award shows create categories for foreign talent.As Squid Game returns for its final season, Anupam Tripathi may not appear in the new episodes, but his legacy lingers. He wasn't just a character in the series — he was its emotional anchor. And as he continues his career in Korea while representing India on the global stage, he stands as a bridge between two cinematic worlds that rarely meet.
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