Cultural crossover: South Korean actor snaps with Bollywood superstar

In a star-studded moment celebrating global cinema, South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae shared a selfie with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, describing the encounter as an “honour.” The picture, posted on Lee’s Instagram on Saturday, quickly went viral, delighting fans across the world.

Lee, internationally acclaimed for his portrayal of Seong Gi-hun in Netflix’s blockbuster series Squid Game, and known for films like Assassination and The Thieves, smiled alongside Shah Rukh, who has long been celebrated as the “King of Bollywood.” In the caption, Lee wrote, “Honoured to be with a respected icon Mr. @iamsrk,” capturing the admiration and mutual respect shared by two cinematic powerhouses.

The duo met at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, an event organized by the Saudi General Entertainment Authority. The forum has emerged as a global platform for entertainment industry leaders to exchange ideas, explore collaborations, and showcase cultural synergy. This year’s edition gathered stars from across continents, including Lee Byung-hun, Shaquille O’Neal, and content creator MrBeast, alongside Bollywood’s “Khan trio” — Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Salman Khan who participated in interactive sessions with audiences and media.

The meeting between Lee and Shah Rukh is significant for fans of both Korean and Indian cinema, highlighting the growing cross-cultural connections between the two industries. While Korean content continues to dominate streaming platforms worldwide, Bollywood’s global presence, fueled by its charismatic actors and large fan base, remains a major force. The Joy Forum served as a bridge, celebrating the exchange of ideas, talent, and cinematic vision.

Lee’s recent project, Squid Game 3, released in June, concluded the globally acclaimed survival-drama franchise. Shah Rukh, meanwhile, is busy filming his much-anticipated movie “King”, directed by Siddharth Anand, which also stars Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Abhishek Bachchan. The Riyadh meeting, therefore, symbolizes not just a personal encounter between two stars but also the intersection of global entertainment ambitions.

Fans have flooded social media with excitement, with many calling the meeting a “cultural crossover of the century.” As cinema increasingly transcends borders, moments like these signal a new era of collaboration and shared inspiration between Hollywood, Korean, and Indian film industries.