As Lee Jong-jae stepped back onto the set of “Squid Game” for its second season, he experienced a sense of familiarity, feeling as if he had never truly departed from his character Gi-hun. “Including the promotional events, I’ve been immersed in the role for about two years,” he reflected in a recent conversation. The depth of the character resonated with him, leading him to express, “I really felt like I was him.”
“Squid Game” revolves around an underground competition in South Korea where individuals burdened by debt are drawn into a series of seemingly innocent games for cash prizes. However, as the competition unfolds, participants discover that the stakes are life-threatening. The show made a significant impact upon its release in 2021, quickly becoming Netflix’s most-viewed series. It garnered various accolades, including Emmy Awards for both acting (Lee Jung-jae) and directing (Hwang Dong-hyuk). The phenomenal success of the show propelled Lee’s career to new heights, leading him to prestigious events like the Cannes Film Festival and granting him a role in the Disney+ “Star Wars” series “The Acolyte.”
When Netflix announced a second season of “Squid Game,” Lee expressed his concerns regarding the timeline for its creation, given that Hwang had spent years developing the first season. “I wondered, ‘How many years will it take him to write season two?’” reflected Lee. In a surprising turn of events, Hwang managed to craft the scripts for the second season, as well as a planned third season, in just six months. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to write something that fast again,” Hwang admitted.
The challenge of introducing new characters and their unique narratives appeared to come naturally to Hwang. However, he noted that deciding Gi-hun’s fate posed a more complex dilemma. Upon reading the scripts, Lee praised Hwang’s brilliance, declaring, “He really is a genius.” It’s relatively uncommon for popular series in Korea to have more than one season, making the endeavor a significant risk for the cast.
Actor Yang Dong-geong, who is making his debut in season two, pointed out the cultural perspective, stating, “There’s a Korean saying that suggests a sequel never surpasses its predecessor.” He expressed caution about public expectations, as uncertainties linger regarding the audience’s response. Early signs are promising, however, with season two already earning a nomination for best drama series at the forthcoming Golden Globe Awards.
For veteran actor Lee Byung-hun, reprising his role as the antagonist from the first season, collaborating on a globally recognized project is an actor’s aspiration. Having starred in major English-language films such as “G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra” and “Red 2,” Lee attributes the monumental success of “Squid Game” to elevating his career. “As an actor with over three decades of experience, perhaps many outside of Korea weren’t aware of my previous work. If ‘Squid Game’ sparks interest in my past roles, nothing would be more satisfying,” he stated.
The audition process was lengthy, with Jo Yu-ri reminiscing about a two-month wait between rounds. She expressed overwhelming emotion when she finally secured her role, stating that she vividly remembered crying after learning the news. The cast was requested to keep their casting details under wraps until Netflix officially announced the lineup. Yang shared that a small celebration took place among close friends once the news broke.
The “Squid Game” universe is also expanding beyond the screen, with a second season of a reality competition show inspired by the series being greenlit, in addition to an English-language version currently in development. Season three of the original series has concluded filming and is now in post-production.
Despite the excitement, season two is not without its challenges. The new episodes introduce a transgender character portrayed by Park Sung-hoon. Hwang acknowledged that although hiring a transgender actor would have been more ideal, the casting reflects the current societal views on LGBTQ issues and gender identity in South Korea.
“To be frank, the representation and acceptance of LGBTQ and gender minorities in Korea lag behind that in Western nations. Regrettably, many such groups remain marginalized and overlooked, which is disheartening,” Hwang commented. He added that the limited options for authentic casting made it difficult to find the right talent for a transgender role. “We conducted our research and aimed to discover the best fit, but unfortunately, we were unable to find someone within the community. Despite this, Park’s talent and interpretation of the character ultimately made him the ideal choice.”
