Meet the Korean American stars behind controversial 'Call of Duty'

The latest installment in Call of Duty has quickly climbed to the top of global gaming charts despite also sparking controversy over its fictional depiction of a North Korean invasion of the Korean Peninsula.

Released Oct. 23, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 shifts the franchise’s familiar geopolitical battleground to the Korean Peninsula, thrusting players into a surprise North Korean assault and a devastating fictional war. Its portrayal of the conflict has sparked debate, adding another layer of attention to a game already commanding the global gaming spotlight.

Beyond its combat mechanics and cinematic storytelling, the title is also drawing attention for its cast. Through full-performance capture, a lineup of acclaimed Korean American actors lend their voices, movements and expressions to the soldiers at the heart of the campaign.

Serving as co-protagonist alongside fan-favorite Captain John Price, South Korean Marine Park Hyun-jun anchors the invasion storyline, embodying a young soldier forced to mature on the battlefield alongside the player.

Lending his performance to the role is Young Mazino, the breakout Korean American actor who rose to prominence as Paul Jo in Netflix’s "Beef." His turn as the complex, lovestruck younger brother earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a limited series at the 75th Emmy Awards. Building on that momentum, Mazino recently expanded his dramatic range by taking on the role of Jesse in the second season of HBO’s post-apocalyptic drama "The Last of Us."

Now, Mazino trades television for full-performance capture, stepping into the spotlight as the face of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.

Leading South Korean special forces through the battlefield, Capt. Kwon Hae-soo holds the line against advancing enemy troops in the fictional city of Hajin before teaming up with the main protagonist as a vital ally.

The tactical commander is portrayed by Joseph Lee, a Korean American fine artist and actor who scored a Primetime Emmy nomination for his breakout turn as George Nakai in "Beef." The character has sparked considerable online chatter after it was confirmed the role was modeled on Ken Rhee, the viral YouTuber and former military officer who skyrocketed to fame in the hit web series "Fake Men."

One of the talking points of the game is Private Ju Kwon, the round-faced, black-rimmed-glasses-wearing rookie Marine who makes a brief but memorable appearance early in the campaign.

Despite his limited screen time, the character has sparked widespread online debate over his near-impossible multiplayer unlock requirement: players must reach Mastery Level 1,000 to add him to their roster. Korean players encountering the grueling challenge were quick to note the symbolism behind "Ju-Kwon" (meaning "sovereignty" in Korean), interpreting the extreme task as an intentional nod to the sacrifices tied to national freedom.

Giving a face to the rookie Marine — a character imbued with a subtle commentary on the price of freedom — is Hollywood actor Lee Ki-hong, globally known for his star-making role as Minho in 20th Century Studios' blockbuster "The Maze Runner" franchise.

Anchoring the campaign as its formidable primary antagonist, Ri Ju-young is the ruthless older sister of the fictional North Korean supreme leader Ri Seung-ho. Serving as the final boss in the storyline, Ri dominates the game's third-act conflict.

The menacing villain is brought to life by Prisca Kim, a Los Angeles-born actor whose credits include minor roles in HBO’s "Lovecraft Country," Apple TV+’s "Loot," and Netflix's "Beef." Landing the game's flagship antagonist role marks a major milestone for Kim, placing her at the center of one of interactive entertainment's biggest blockbusters.