Upon arriving on the set of the second season of “Squid Game,” Lee Jong-jae felt as though he had seamlessly transitioned back into his character’s world. “I had been immersed in Gi-hun’s life, including all the promotion, for about two years,” Lee shared in a recent interview. “I truly felt like I was living his experiences,” he added.
“Squid Game” depicts an underground competition in Korea where individuals in debt are recruited to participate in childish games for the chance to win money. As the games unfold, the players come to realize the deadly stakes involved.
The show garnered immense popularity upon its release in 2021, emerging as Netflix’s most-watched series and earning accolades such as Primetime Emmy Awards for Lee Jung-jae’s performance and Hwang Dong-hyuk’s direction. Lee’s career soared, leading him to prestigious events like the Cannes Film Festival and securing his debut English-language role in Disney+’s “Star Wars” series, “The Acolyte.”
When Netflix announced a second season of “Squid Game,” Lee expressed skepticism about the timeline considering the extensive work put into the first season by Hwang. To everyone’s surprise, Hwang completed the second season, along with a third and final season, in a mere six months. Developing new characters and intertwining their narratives flowed naturally for Hwang, with the main challenge lying in determining Gi-hun’s fate, a decision that left Lee in awe of Hwang’s creativity.
Despite the rarity of long-running TV series in Korea, the decision to pursue multiple seasons was a bold move, especially for the new cast members. Even with uncertainties looming, like actor Yang Dong-geong mentioned, the reception for the upcoming season appears promising. Season two’s nomination in the best drama series category at the Golden Globe Awards attests to the show’s continued success.
The broader global appeal of “Squid Game” presents a remarkable opportunity for performers like Lee Byung-hun, who credits the series for elevating his career to new heights. The cast’s audition journey reflected the project’s significance, with Jo Yu-ri recalling the emotional rollercoaster leading to her casting announcement.
The “Squid Game” universe continues to expand, with plans for a reality show spin-off and an English adaptation in the works. Additionally, the completion of filming for season three signals the ongoing evolution of the series. However, the introduction of a transgender character in season two has sparked discussions around casting choices, prompting Hwang to reflect on the importance of representation and inclusivity in storytelling.
“Regarding the casting of a cisgender actor in a transgender role in the Korean film industry, director Hwang provided insight into the challenges faced due to the societal attitudes towards the LGBTQ community and gender identity in Korea. Hwang acknowledged that compared to Western cultures, acceptance of LGBTQ individuals and gender minorities is not as widespread in Korean society. Tragically, many groups within these communities are marginalized and excluded, a situation that deeply saddens Hwang.
Hwang explained the difficulty in finding a transgender actor for the role, citing the limited pool of actors available for authentic casting. Despite conducting extensive research and efforts to identify a suitable candidate, a transgender actor could not be secured for the role. Hwang emphasized that actor Park’s talent and interpretation of the character ultimately led to him being deemed the ideal choice for the role.
