Lee Jung-jae, the global star of Netflix’s Squid Game, is diving deeper into international production with a genre-bending project that blends the glimmer of K-pop with the suspense of espionage.
On Monday, Artist Studio — the production company led by Lee — announced a creative alliance with UK-based Imaginarium Productions, co-founded by motion-capture legend Andy Serkis and producer Jonathan Cavendish. Together, they are developing a live-action thriller tentatively titled Secret Idol.
The storyline follows a covert agent who infiltrates the fiercely competitive K-pop training scene to dismantle a global crime syndicate from within. It’s a high-stakes, high-glamour fusion of pop culture and spy drama, with ambitions for a truly global appeal.
The project is being developed from script to screen in close collaboration between the two companies. Talks are already underway to cast Hollywood stars, secure international distribution, and explore co-production deals.
Lee’s transition from fashion model to Korean cinema icon was capped by his Emmy-winning breakout in Squid Game. He recently appeared in Disney+’s The Acolyte and made his directorial debut with the 2022 espionage action film Hunt — further cementing his reputation as a multifaceted storyteller.
Beyond his on-screen success, Lee co-founded Artist Company in 2016 alongside fellow actor Jung Woo-sung. The production arm, Artist Studio, is now a key player within Lee’s expanded entertainment group, having distributed films like Following and One Win in 2024.
Meanwhile, Imaginarium is preparing The Hunt for Gollum, a Lord of the Rings prequel with Warner Bros., signaling its continued stake in high-profile cinematic ventures.
With Secret Idol, both Lee and Imaginarium aim to deliver a fresh, globally resonant thriller that’s equal parts spectacle and suspense — set against the dazzling backdrop of Korea’s music industry.
