Renowned South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae has taken on a new and exciting challenge as he steps into the Star Wars universe in “The Acolyte.” Lee is set to bring a fresh perspective to his role as Jedi Master Sol.
When Lee signed on to play a Jedi master, he was determined to immerse himself completely in the Star Wars galaxy. “I didn’t really want to be influenced by anything outside of the Star Wars world,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to staying true to the franchise’s essence.
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Inspiration from Qui-Gon Jinn
Lee’s dedication to the role saw him looking to past Jedi Masters for inspiration.
“I definitely was inspired by a lot of the past Jedi Masters and the wonderful actors that played them. And one of my favorite characters was Qui-Gon Jinn, played by Liam Neeson. I really kind of tried to find the connective tissue between him and my character, Master Sol,” Lee explained.
This connection offers insight into the kind of Jedi Master Sol will be, embodying the wisdom and headstrong nature of Qui-Gon Jinn while facing new threats at the end of the High Republic era.
As Lee delved deeper into the script, he discovered the humanistic aspects of his character.
“He is a Jedi master, but the more I saw the script, I realized that there were more of these humanistic elements to him,” he shared. “His emotions are constantly in flux. And also, when he’s in battle, he actually does feel that element of fear. And I think because of that, [showrunner Leslye Hedland] really created a Sol that was extremely humanistic. And she did that with the other characters as well — they all embody such a diversity of emotions, just like regular people. And in each character, you see those elements really clearly.”
Lightsaber Training Is Lee’s Favorite
One aspect of production that Lee particularly enjoyed was the lightsaber and fight training, despite considering himself somewhat advanced at the start.
“I’ve actually done a lot of action in my previous projects in Korea, so when I entered the two months of training camp, I noticed that the fight choreographers, they started teaching the basics. And a part of me was like, ‘Oh, I kind of know all of this already,’” Lee admitted.
However, the rigorous training proved invaluable. “But then I realized that as the training continued, those basics that we practiced over and over again, it really helped doing these stunts and the fight choreography on set.”
Learning English for the Role
Beyond the physical training, Lee faced another significant challenge: learning English.
“Learning English was definitely a huge challenge in preparing for this role,” he told Radio Times.
“However, I had two incredible dialogue coaches that were helping me along the way, and we spent so much time together, and down to the small details they were really teaching me how to speak – and because they had such great personalities as well, we were always joking around and laughing on set, so it still remains a really great memory for me.”
Lee Jung-jae’s dedication and inspiration promise an intriguing portrayal of Master Sol, a Jedi navigating the complexities of the High Republic era.
Who Is The Acolyte Star Lee Jung-jae?
Lee Jung-jae, born on December 15, 1972, is one of South Korea’s most successful actors, renowned for his versatile roles and numerous accolades. He has won prestigious awards, including a Primetime Emmy, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Critics’ Choice Television Award, alongside six Baeksang Arts Awards.
His career began as a fashion model before he transitioned to acting, gaining fame with the TV drama “Sandglass” in 1995. Lee’s film career includes notable works like “An Affair,” “City of the Rising Sun,” “Il Mare,” and “The Housemaid.”
In 2021, Lee achieved global stardom for his role as Seong Gi-hun in Netflix’s “Squid Game.” His performance earned him historic nominations and wins, making him the first Asian male actor to receive individual nominations across major awards shows like the Golden Globes and Emmys. He was also named Gallup Korea’s Film Actor of the Year in 2021.
Beyond acting, Lee is a successful businessman, having launched a chain of restaurants and founded several businesses, including Seorim C&D. He often collaborates with fellow actor and friend Jung Woo-sung in his ventures. In 2024, Lee was listed among the most impactful Asians by Hold House. He is set to reprise his iconic role in “Squid Game’s” second season, which began filming in July 2023.