KUALA LUMPUR: South Korean actress Lee Yoo-Mi who garnered critical acclaim for her role in Netflix adventure series Squid Game has been chosen by Time magazine as one of its Next Generation Leaders 2022.
South Korean entertainment portal Soompi reported recently that the list focuses on "rising stars poised to shape the future" and seeks to elevate "young people working to build a better world".
In Squid Game, Lee, 28, played Ji-Yeong, who sacrificed her life for her friend Sae-Byeok, played by Jung Ho-Yeon.
Lee's Instagram followers rocketed from 40,000 to more than 7 million after Squid Game became Netflix's most-watched non-English series.
Lee won Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series at the Creative Arts Emmys last month, the first South Korean actress to win the award.
Lee also starred in Netflix zombie drama series All Of Us Are Dead early this year as Na-Yeon, a much-hated character.
She said: "Lots of hate for my character translates into lots of compliments for me. That means I played her well."
Lee is currently playing the protagonist in the drama series Mental Coach Jegal, and next year she will have her second leading role in the drama series Strong Woman Gang Nam-Soon.
"Global recognition is great, but no matter how things change for me, I will remain who I am," said Lee.