Ma Dong-seok’s workout routine has become almost as famous as the bone-crushing punches he throws on screen. The Korean actor, better known to many as Don Lee, didn’t wake up one day looking like a human tank.His powerful build for action roles came from years of hard work, old habits, and a few tough lessons along the way. Here’s how he put it all together.
A boxing dream that started young
Long before the cameras rolled, Ma was a teenager who fell hard for the Rocky films. He moved from Seoul to Montana with his family and dreamed of becoming a professional boxer. The hard work of washing dishes and cleaning offices left him frustrated, so he turned to shadowboxing in empty office windows at the end of long days.Those early sessions helped him blow off steam and built a foundation that never left him. Boxing remained part of his life for more than three decades, teaching him endurance and the kind of humility that comes from taking real hits. That background still shapes the way he moves in films today.
Years spent training fighters and lifting heavy
After college, where he studied physical education, Ma put his knowledge to work as a personal trainer for mixed martial artists, including former UFC champion Mark Coleman and Kevin Randleman. He was no light sparring partner. At his strongest he weighed around 120 kilograms and could bench-press 220 kilograms. The heavy compound lifts, squats, deadlifts, presses, and rows, built the thick frame audiences now recognize instantly.Even after he switched to acting, those same movements stayed in his routine. His sessions still last nearly two hours, mixing weights with the boxing work that keeps his power sharp.
Injuries that forced him to stay strong
The body that looks invincible on screen has taken a beating in real life. Ma has dealt with a back fracture, two shoulder surgeries, and lost cartilage in his knees. Doctors told him that dropping too much muscle made the joints hurt more. So he keeps his weight between 100 and 110 kilograms most of the time, not for vanity, but because the extra muscle helps protect what is left of his joints.On days he skips training it feels wrong, like forgetting to brush his teeth. The gym, whether at home or in a boxing club, has become a daily necessity rather than an option.
Making every punch look real for the camera
In an interview with Polygon, Ma has said he wants the audience to feel the impact. He trains almost every day with heavy bag, pad work, and sparring with professional boxers so the action in films like the Roundup series stays grounded in real technique. He works closely with the same stunt teams for years, testing moves until they look powerful without putting co-stars in real danger.Safety gear is used, but the force is still there. The result is the signature style that made him a box-office force in Korea and earned him a spot as Gilgamesh in Marvel’s Eternals. For him, the training is not just preparation for a role. It is the way he keeps the work honest.