Lee Jung-jae confirmed positive with Covid-19

Actor Lee Jung-jae comes out of an arrival gate at Incheon International Airport on Sept. 18, holding an Emmy trophy in his hand. [YONHAP]

“Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae, who recently returned home with an Emmy trophy for Outstanding Lead Actor has been confirmed positive with Covid-19.

His management agency Artist Company said Tuesday that the actor took a Covid-19 test after returning home on Sept. 18 that came out positive.

According to the agency, the 50-year-old actor left Korea on Sept. 8 to attend the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards held in Los Angeles and then traveled to Canada to attend the Toronto International Film Festival to promote his directorial debut film “Hunt” — a film which he produced, wrote the script for, directed and starred in.

The agency said he came in close contact with director Hwang Dong-hyuk of “Squid Game” as well as actors from the series including Oh Young-soo, Park Hae-soo and Jung Ho-yeon. He was with actor Jung Woo-sung, Lee’s longtime best friend who also stars in “Hunt,” while in Canada. Jung was on the same flight as Lee returning home.

Jung also took a test, which came out negative, the agency said. Jung came down with Covid-19 last November but Lee had not before caught the virus.

Jung and Park also assured the fans that they tested negative.

Lee was to attend the 2022 National Brand Awards in the field of culture on Tuesday; however, director Lee Chang-dong accepted the award on behalf of Lee, who is being quarantined at home.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]