Indian-origin actor Anupam Tripathi lands first Korean lead in horror thriller ‘Rhapsody for the Dead’

Indian-origin actor Anupam Tripathi, best known for his breakout performance as Ali Abdul (Player 199) in the global Netflix sensation ‘Squid Game’, is stepping into the spotlight with his first lead role in a Korean feature film.

Titled ‘Rhapsody for the Dead’—also known by its Korean name ‘Changhon: Night of Salvation’—the occult horror thriller is set for theatrical release this month in South Korea and five other Asian countries. An official release date is expected to be announced soon.

Sharing his excitement on Instagram, Tripathi wrote: “My first Korean movie #Rapsodyforthedead as a lead actor is coming soon this month, in theatres. Frankly speaking, very nervous, excited and emotional about it. From no name in credits to first name in the credits, I can’t describe this feeling in words, I am just so grateful for everything happening for me... pure blessings of you all (sic).”

Directed and written by Kim Hyeon-joon, the horror flick premiered earlier this year at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. The story follows a 25-year-old woman named Soo-ah who, after witnessing a disturbing event, is relentlessly pursued by a mysterious exorcist named Anuat, portrayed by Tripathi.

The Delhi-born actor, who trained at the National School of Drama before earning a scholarship to Korea National University of Arts in 2010, has steadily carved a niche for himself in the Korean entertainment industry. Despite arriving in South Korea without speaking the language, Tripathi is now fluent in Hindi, English and Korean.

Following the massive success of ‘Squid Game’ in 2021, which turned him into a household name globally, Tripathi has been hailed as one of South Korea’s most prominent international actors. His portrayal of Ali Abdul—a migrant worker navigating brutal challenges with heartbreaking trust and compassion—struck an emotional chord with millions of viewers and earned him widespread acclaim.

Speaking to Variety about his life after the Netflix phenomenon, Tripathi said: “After ‘Squid Game,’ life has turned around a lot for me. Everybody knows me in the Korean industry now.”

Since then, he has continued to expand his screen presence across both Korean and Indian projects. Tripathi was recently seen as Prince Samir in the Korean drama ‘King the Land’, and also featured in Anubhav Sinha’s hit Netflix India series ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’, playing Indian intelligence operative Ram Chandra Yadav.

Tripathi’s earlier Korean film credits include ‘Asura: The City of Madness’, and ‘Rhapsody for the Dead’ marks a significant milestone in his journey—from bit roles to headlining major cinematic releases in a foreign land.