A single selfie from Riyadh created waves across two continents. On October 17, 2025, at Saudi Arabia’s Joy Forum 2025, two of Asia’s biggest icons — Shah Rukh Khan and Lee Jung-jae — appeared together in one frame. What seemed like a photo taken on a well-deserved break from their busy lives became a viral moment symbolizing a spontaneous joining of forces between Bollywood and the Korean wave.
Lee Jung-jae, who gained international fame for his role in Squid Game, posted the selfie on Instagram, with the caption, “Honoured to be with a respected icon Mr. @iamsrk.” Just minutes later, the same selfie began to trend on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and various Korean online forums. For millions of fans, this wasn’t just a selfie — it was a crossover that fans had only just dared to dream about.
The Crossover Moment — Two Legends, One Picture
The photo featured two famous people in the world of entertainment — SRK, known as the King of Cinema in India, and Lee Jung-jae, reportedly the global sensation from Korea. Both men are in the upper echelon of Asian entertainment and commands global influence beyond their native countries.
Within hours of the post, it had surpassed 2 million likes. The Indian fanbase inundated the comments section with “King meets King” and hearts, while K-drama fans, who account for a significant segment of the global streaming audience, expressed, “This is a dream come true.” News agencies like Soompi and Allkpop, with substantial readership in India, immediately covered the story as “the most powerful selfie of 2025,” shortly followed by leading Indian news agencies, including India Today, NDTV and Times of India.
In a world of entertainment dominated by Westerners, this simple picture showed that Asian stars have now taken the world stage on their own terms.
Why This Moment Matters — Beyond a Selfie
Behind the viral excitement lies something deeper. Both India and South Korea are cultural powerhouses that have mastered the art of soft power — through music, dramas, and films. Bollywood’s emotional storytelling and K-dramas’ cinematic charm have found global audiences, especially through OTT giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
In the last five years, both industries have expanded beyond borders. Squid Game became Netflix’s most-watched show in history, while SRK’s Jawan and Pathaan set global box office records. The two countries are no longer just exporting entertainment; they’re shaping global culture.
This selfie, therefore, wasn’t just a social media trend — it was a symbol of cultural connection. It reminded the world that storytelling, whether in Hindi or Korean, speaks a universal language: emotion.
Fans React — “Collab of the Century!”
As expected, fans went wild. On X, hashtags like #SRKxLeeJungJae, #BollywoodMeetsHallyu, and #CollabOfTheCentury began trending worldwide. One fan wrote, “My two worlds just collided — Bollywood and K-drama in one frame!” Another commented, “Imagine SRK in a Squid Game Season 2 cameo!”
Many even joked that Netflix should “sign the deal right now” for an Indo-Korean crossover series. On Instagram Reels, thousands of edits paired the photo with songs from Jawan and Squid Game. It became more than fandom — it became a celebration of Asian pride.
What made it even more special was the unity between Indian and Korean fans. For once, it wasn’t about whose industry is bigger — it was about sharing mutual admiration for two self-made legends.
Inside Joy Forum 2025 — Where Stars Collide
The selfie was taken during the Joy Forum 2025, hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Joy Forum is an international entertainment gathering that takes place annually and allows for conversation across and collaboration between the various national entertainment industries. The invite list for this year’s event included celebrities such as Bollywood royalty Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan; as well as international megastars MrBeast and Shaquille O’Neal and Lee Byung-hun. The theme for 2025 was titled “Bridging Entertainment Beyond Borders,” which reflects the essence of the selfie.
SRK, who also made a speech for the event, amplified the recurring issues with global cinema in our contemporary world, emphasizing the ability to have cultural exchange and collaboration. Lee Jung-jae was on hand as the official representative for the Korean film industry, indicating his success with Hunt and future Hollywood opportunities.
SRK’s Words on Brotherhood
At the Joy Forum, SRK took the opportunity to have a truly special moment on stage when he told the audience he looked at his industry colleagues, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan, as “brothers traveling in the same journey.” This humility and warmth resonates very closely to fans and the shared feeling of friendship and kinship.
This same sense of respect and fraternity resonates with the image of him with Lee Jung-jae. Both men enjoy enormity as public figures, yet manifest humility. The shared values of work ethic, resilience, and global aspiration added further meaning to this moment.
In a world traditionally separated by competition, the image of SRK and Lee Jr. represents to the viewer what true success looks like when shared with dignity.
What Fans Want Next — SRK x Lee Jung Jae Project?
Naturally, the next question fans are asking is: Could this be the start of an India-Korea cinematic crossover?
The idea isn’t far-fetched. With Netflix, Disney, and CJ ENM expanding in South Asia, collaborations between Indian and Korean studios are now realistic. Imagine SRK and Lee Jung-jae starring in a global action thriller — part spy, part drama — set across Seoul and Mumbai. The excitement alone would break streaming records.
Entertainment analysts have pointed out that Asian crossovers are the next big trend. After all, Hollywood has been collaborating with Asian filmmakers for decades. Now, it’s Asia’s turn to lead.
The Bigger Picture — Bollywood Meets Hallyu Wave
Over the last decade, Indian and Korean pop cultures have started blending in subtle ways. Indian fans are bingeing Crash Landing on You, Itaewon Class, and King the Land; Korean idols are dancing to Bollywood tracks on TikTok; and K-pop concerts in India are selling out within minutes.
Even filmmakers are taking notes. Korean producers are exploring Indian remakes, while Indian creators are studying K-dramas’ emotional storytelling style. The two industries share the same goal — to connect emotionally, visually, and universally.
SRK and Lee Jung-jae’s selfie, therefore, wasn’t just an Internet-breaking moment. It was a reflection of a growing cultural bridge.
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Conclusion — One Picture, Infinite Possibilities
In a single photo, two worlds smiled — and millions of fans had a renewed reason to dream of a united Asian screen.
The Lee Jung-Jae Shah Rukh Khan selfie will not only be remembered as a viral moment, but as a representation of cultural peace; a testament that when Asia’s two biggest stars met, the world could only look on.
As fans continue celebrating online, one thing is clear: this was more than a meeting of two actors; it was a meeting of two legacies.
Find more stories on K-drama and Bollywood crossovers at KDramaUpdates.com — where worlds unite, and fans meet.
