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I watched the Badland Hunters after watching the 3-Body Problem- not the right timing order, I must say. My thought was that Benedict Wong played one of the most significant roles in both of the movies but I was surprised to hear a British-speaking actor speak Korean so fluently in Badland Hunters. Unknowingly to me, those roles in both movies were played by two different actors. Ma Dong-soek and Benedict Wong are doppelgangers!
The issue of doppelgangers is prevalent in all parts of the world. In the movie scene, we see two actors who look alike to the extent we cannot differentiate which movies they acted in. Just like the resemblance between Margot Robbie and Emma Mackey, today, we are examining two Asian actors who are dons in the movie industry that look so much alike. We cannot differentiate unless by their speech! Do you truly know the difference between Ma Dong-soek and Benedict Wong?
Ma Dong-soek who was Sang-Hwa in Train to Busan is the star of the Badland Hunters
Badland Hunters is a South Korean dystopian action movie produced by Netflix and released on January 26, 2024. Ma Dong-Soek played the role of Nam-san in the movie. Ma Dong-soek can be regarded as the ‘Rock’ of the Korean movie scene because of his gait and stature. He acts the role of ‘tough guy’. There have not been variations to his roles in movies, but he acts his designated roles well.
If you are familiar with South Korean movies, you would have seen Dong-soek act the role of a resilient cop in The Outlaws. He also starred as Sang-Hwa in the horror movie titled, Train to Busan.
Lee Dong-soek professionally known as Ma Dong-soek is a South Korean-born-American actor. He is also known as Don Lee. The 53 years old actor born on March 1, 1971, has dual citizenship- a South Korean(1971-1989) and an American(1989-present). He attended the Columbia State Community College.
The ‘tough guy’ actor has been acting in the movie industry since 2005. He has acted in over twenty movies as a lead actor and supporting actor. The South Korean-born actor has received so many nominations and quite several film awards to his name, among which is, Gallup Korea’s Film Actor of the Year 2018.
His successful roles in a lot of movies have led him to be named the Most Bankable Star of Korean Cinema. Park Seo-jun is not the first Korean guy to be cast in a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. Ma Dong-soek acted as Gilgamesh in the movie, Eternals which marked his Hollywood debut.
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P.S. Ma Dong-soek was the Asian actor acting as Gilgamesh in Eternals. That is the only Marvel Cinematic Universe movie he has acted in. Then who is Wong in Doctor Strange? Get to find out!
Examining his gait and physique, one would not be wrong to say Don Lee engages in some form of a body training exercise. In 2018, Ma became the president of the Korea Armwrestling Federation because he participated in amateur wrestling since 2008.
Photo Credit:- IMDb
Don Lee as Sang-Hwa in Train to Busan led to his international popularity and he has kept his reputation as an actor with an overwhelming presence in movies.
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Benedict Wong, who played Da Shi in 3-Body Problem is also Wong in Doctor Strange
3-Body Problem is a live adaptation of Liu Cixin’s book of the same title by Netflix. The movie was premiered on March 21, 2024. The sci-fi starred Asian actors among which is Benedict Wong.
Benedict Wong is the son of Hong Kong parents who immigrated to England through Ireland. Benedict’s thick Mancunian accent attests to this. He was born in Eccles on July 3, 1971. The British actor schooled at Salford City College where he studied performing acts for two years.
Photo Credit:- IMDb
Benedict started his career on stage and has been in quite some stage plays such as The Letter, Merchant of Venice, Hamlet, and others. His first movie role was in Dirty Pretty Things (2003). His role as Kublai Khan in Netflix’s Marco Pablo (2014-2016) brought him to the limelight.
Wong is a constant face in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with his role as Wong in Doctor Strange. He has also acted as a guest actor in other Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and that is why many people think he was the one who played Gilgamesh in Eternals. I thought so too!
Photo Credit:- Collider
The actor voiced the giant, Tong in Raya and the Last Dragon. With appearances in over sixty movies and stage plays, the British actor is a Hollywood phenomenon. He has been nominated for awards like the British Independent Film Awards and West End Frame Award. His role as Da Shi in Netflix’s 3 Body Problem reminded us of his versatility in acting.
Benedict Wong and Ma Dong-soek
To add it all up, both actors are Asian but there are slight differences in their body makeup. Ma Dong-soek also known as Don Lee is more muscular than Benedict Wong. They have facial differences that you can notice if you pay close attention. Benedict has a strong Mancunian accent and he also speaks Mandarin fluently. Don Lee speaks Korean and English as native languages but has an elementary proficiency in Chinese.
P.S. Benedict Wong and Ma Dong-soek are both actors in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Benedict Wong played Wong, Doctor Strange’s assistant while Ma Dong-soek played Gilgamesh in the Eternals’ squad.
If you are still confused about their appearance, you can still check the casting of a movie to be sure. They are both stars in their world and we are rooting for them!
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