South Korea’s greatest action hero carries an American passport, and actually went to college in Ohio. Since his show-stopping role in Train to Busan, Don Lee (aka Ma Dong-seok) has become one of the most popular stars in Asia. And with his appearance as Gilgamesh in Eternals, Lee is now poised to win over American viewers as well. With Oscars for Parasite and Minari and Squid Game dominating television ratings, South Korean culture is having a moment. Netflix is developing more Korean movies and TV shows, including Hellbound by Train to Busan director Yeon Sang-ho. Ask Koreans who their favorite movie star is, and more likely than not Lee will be near the top of the list. A dominating presence, Lee mixes fearsome physicality with grace and humor. He commands the screen, whether star or supporting player. Lee doesn’t look like a movie star. He’s short and burly, with rough features, thinning hair and bags under his eyes. He looks like an ex-con, a bouncer, an American interloper. Lee h...
