Suiting up for the Eternals

Ma Dong-seok, South Korea’s Jack of all trades, talks firsts and more

- Lainey Loh

Action, historical, comedy, time travel, romance, biopic, melodrama, sports, horror, thriller, crime, fantasy—you name it, he’s done it. Korean American actor Ma Dong-seok (also known as Don Lee) is by no measure a stranger to the entertainment circuit on his home ground. In 2016’s zombie hit Train to Busan, Ma played the supporting role of Yoon Sang-hwa, a man who valiantly sacrifices himself for the greater good. The breakout performance propelled him to international popularity and cemented his status as one of the most successful actors in South Korea. Perhaps it was this display of heroism, coupled with his ‘tough guy’ persona, that landed him in Hollywood’s radar.

In 2019, Ma was handpicked to join the cast of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) Eternals alongside a star-studded lineup of actors including Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Harish Patel, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek, and Angelina Jolie.

Based on the Marvel Comics of the same name, Eternals is centred on an immortal alien race which emerge from hiding after thousands of years to protect Earth from their evil counterparts, the Deviants. Ma plays Gilgamesh, the strongest Eternal who boasts powers such as virtual indestructibility, nearlimitless stamina, superhuman strength, levitation and more.