Anupam Tripathi

Tripathi began his acting career in South Korea while still in university, participating in Korean plays and commercials during his third year. His early acting experiences in Korea, particularly his involvement in local theater productions, helped shape his career. He made his feature film debut in Ode to My Father (2014), where he played an unnamed Sri Lankan man. Over the years, Tripathi appeared in various minor roles across television and film, including the play 불량청년 (Bad Boys), which was selected for the 36th Seoul Theater Festival.

His roles often involved portraying migrant workers in Korean society, reflecting the struggles and realities of foreign workers in the country. Notable television appearances include Hospital Playlist (2020), Rain or Shine (2017), and films such as Space Sweepers (2021) and Asura: The City of Madness (2015).

Tripathi’s career took a major turn when he was cast as Ali Abdul, the undocumented Pakistani worker, in the global hit Netflix series Squid Game (2021). His portrayal of the compassionate and hardworking character earned widespread praise, and director Hwang Dong-hyuk specifically chose Tripathi due to his emotional acting abilities and fluency in Korean.

Tripathi’s performance resonated with international audiences, leading to a massive surge in his social media following, increasing from 10,000 to over 2.5 million on Instagram within days of the show’s release. This newfound fame has opened doors for more significant roles and collaborations. With his diverse skill set and ability to bring emotional depth to his characters, Tripathi has cemented his place as one of the most prominent foreign actors in South Korea.