Lee Jung-jae to announce shock retirement from acting?

Sad news for Jung-jae fans. Speculation had been rife that the Korean actor best known for his role on the television series Squid Game, will announce his retirement from acting, at age 53, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 21/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an actor isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an actor just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouLee

For a little while on Friday evening, #ThankYouLee was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouLee.”
— @DesireePlum, 20 Mar 2026

“I thought Lee Jung-jae retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 20 Mar 2026

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