Ma Dong-seok: The Real-Life Powerhouse Who Benches Like a Beast

When you see Ma Dong-seok — known to global audiences as Don Lee — you instantly know you're not looking at your typical actor. He doesn’t have the lean, aesthetic build of a Hollywood superhero. Instead, he’s built like a slab of granite: thick arms, dense torso, and that slow, powerful way of moving that only comes from years under a barbell. Ma Dong-seok is more than just an actor. He’s a legit strength athlete with serious numbers in the gym. In a world full of actors who fake it for the screen, Don Lee is the real deal — and yes, he really can bench press over 200 kg (440 lbs) . That’s not a rumor. That’s verified, raw strength that puts him in elite company. Before he became a household name in Korean cinema, Ma Dong-seok worked as a personal trainer and strength coach in the U.S., training MMA fighters — including former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Coleman. His background isn’t in theater; it’s in combat sports, strength training, and muscle science. He didn’t just read...