When Netflix ‘s “ Squid Game ” gained global recognition in 2021, it propelled its cast to international fame. For Anupam Tripathi , the India-born, Korea-based actor who played Ali Abdul, it marked a pivotal moment in his career that has since spanned continents and industries.

“After ‘Squid Game,’ life has turned around a lot for me,” Tripathi tells Variety . “Everybody knows me in the Korean industry now.” Post “Squid Game,” Tripathi played the role of Prince Samir in Korean drama “King the Land,” which brought increased public recognition. “It happens every time,” he says of being recognized on the streets. “People remember me. They call me Ali. And sometimes after ‘King the Land,’ they started calling me Prince.”

The actor’s success has not been confined to Korea. He recently appeared in Anubhav Sinha’s popular Netflix India series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack,” based on the real-life hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight in 1999. Tripathi plays Ram Chandra Yadav, an operative for India’s intelligence service RAW in Kathmandu.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better role to begin with in India,” Tripathi says. “In ‘Squid Game,’ people saw me as naive or innocent. This character was completely different. It showcases my versatility as an actor to the world.”

To prepare for the role, Tripathi fully immersed himself in research, even visiting the Indian embassy in Korea to observe how officials conduct themselves. “I kept thinking about his perspective, his behavior, his way of speaking,” he says.

The actor describes Yadav as a “delicate” character, one who needs to maintain a normal outward appearance while simultaneously navigating the complexities of protecting his country's interests. “It’s a very fine line,” Tripathi notes. “I cannot go too far. I cannot go too little.”

Working on “IC 814” also gave Tripathi the chance to collaborate with renowned Indian actors. He reminisces about a day on set when he met veterans like Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapur. “I saw that table where all the greats were gathered,” he says. “I was like, ‘What is going on?'” Sinha introduced Tripathi, and he had a productive time discussing aspects of his craft with his more experienced colleagues.

The experience of working with director Sinha was equally impactful for Tripathi. “He’s a very cheerful person,” the actor says. “You feel like you’re working towards something significant.”

Tripathi’s journey in the entertainment industry spans both Korea and India. He earned his master's degree in acting in Korea while simultaneously working on various projects, and his unique position as an Indian in the Korean entertainment industry has opened doors for representation.

“I feel blessed in a way, like I’m able to represent an Indian actor, Indian culture, and Korean culture,” Tripathi says. He’s been invited to speak at the Oxford Union and has served as a brand ambassador for Korean film festivals.

Looking ahead, Tripathi has several projects in the works. “Rhapsody for the Dead,” where he plays one of the leading roles of a spirit exorcist, debuted earlier this year at Bucheon and is scheduled for release in Korea and five other Asian nations. He’s also involved in a U.K. short film as both an actor and executive producer. Another Korean drama is set to begin filming soon. The actor is also receiving offers from India following the success of “IC 814.”

Tripathi's aspiration is to continue serving as a link between the Korean and Indian entertainment industries while broadening his acting repertoire. “I want to be known as an Indian actor in Korea,” he says. “I feel very proud to represent India and foreign actors as well.”

He hopes his work will lead to greater recognition of international actors in the Korean entertainment industry. “I hope that someday, all major Korean awards will include a category for foreign actors,” Tripathi says.