[SC Issue] ‘Retirement Reversal’ T.O.P = Hip-Hop Program Runner-Up… ‘Squid Game 2’ Characters Unveiled
[Sports Chosun, Moon Ji-yeon] The second season of ‘Squid Game’ has released 9 character posters and character introductions by director Hwang Dong-hyuk and the actors.
Netflix series ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 has stirred anticipation by releasing character introduction videos and 9 posters with the participants’ numbers, featuring main characters. Season 2 is set to tell the story of ‘Gi-hun’ (Lee Jung-jae), who comes back determined for revenge and participates in the game again, and his intense showdown with ‘Front Man’ (Lee Byung-hun), along with the fierce real game.
The character posters from ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 resemble profile pictures that game participants take right before joining the game. The poster of 456, ‘Gi-hun’, standing out with a serious expression without a hint of smile, contrasts with other participants who are new to the game. ‘Gi-hun’, different from his pure and bright demeanor in Season 1, is depicted with determination and strong will to reveal the forces behind the game.
On the contrary, the profile pictures of the other 8 participants, excited by the hope of winning a large sum of money, are filled with smiles and bright expressions. Featuring Lim Si-wan as crypto investor and YouTuber 333, ‘Myung-ki’, and Kang Ha-neul as the sociable and easygoing 388, ‘Dae-ho’, the enthusiastic looks of Lee Jin-wook as 246, ‘Kyung-seok’ who needs urgent funds for his sick daughter’s treatment, and Park Sung-hoon as 120, ‘Hyun-joo’, a transgender needing money for gender-confirming surgery, create an ironic tension.
Additionally, the mother-son duo portrayed by Yang Dong-geun and Kang Ae-shim as 007, ‘Yong-sik’, who joined the game to pay off gambling debts, and 149, ‘Geum-ja’, respectively, anticipates a storyline where relationships outside the game intertwine within. The new participants, smiling without knowing what’s next, such as Lee Seo-hwan as 390, ‘Jung-bae’ reuniting with his long-lost friend ‘Gi-hun’ at the game venue and Jo Yoo-ri as 222, ‘Jun-hee’, deceived by incorrect investment information, raise curiosity about what they will encounter in the unpredictable game.
The character introduction video released alongside shows director Hwang Dong-hyuk and actors giving a firsthand account of the characters they envision, providing a vivid answer to the curiosity about ‘Squid Game’ Season 2. Lee Jung-jae hints at the drastically changed ‘Gi-hun’, saying, “‘Gi-hun’s’ strong focus on changing things might have been the main force that allowed for his transformation compared to Season 1.”
Lee Byung-hun, playing ‘Front Man’, ‘Gi-hun’s’ nemesis, places emphasis on the impending conflict, saying, “I thought the biggest goal for ‘Front Man’ is to break ‘Gi-hun’s’ beliefs.” Wi Ha-jun, playing ‘Jun-ho’, who survived Season 1 and struggles to find his brother ‘In-ho’, who is also ‘Front Man’, mentions, “I thought he admired and liked his brother a lot, which made him more obsessed.”
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk describes, “The dramatic stories created due to the characters’ backgrounds will bring more entertaining viewing,” signaling the diversified characters and multi-layered narratives as key viewing points. Lim Si-wan discusses his role as ‘Myung-ki’, saying, “After being involved in a coin scam as a YouTuber and losing significant amounts of money, he joins the game while being on the run from subscribers.”
Other character dynamics presented include Jo Yoo-ri, portraying ‘Jun-hee’, discussing reuniting with ‘Myung-ki’, her ex-boyfriend who gave her faulty investment information, within the high-stake game setting. The dynamics between mother-son duo, explained by Yang Dong-geun and Kang Ae-shim as “‘Yong-sik’s’ mother ‘Geum-ja’ is a protective shield and great fortune,” and “A mother who cherishes her son as her precious treasure,” offer hints at their fate within the brutal game.
Lee Seo-hwan playing ‘Jung-bae’ shares about his role as a close friend and comrade to ‘Gi-hun’, promising a rich storyline.
Kang Ha-neul emphasizes his character ‘Dae-ho’s’ friendliness and charm, indicating strategic bonding capabilities for survival. Park Sung-hoon describes ‘Hyun-joo’ as displaying strength, decisiveness, and leadership, overcoming various prejudices.
The desperate stories of characters like ‘Kyung-seok,’ a common citizen with a daughter suffering from blood cancer, and ‘No-eul’, described as having no will to live other than finding her daughter, raise anticipation for the unpredictable development of ‘Squid Game’ Season 2.
Additional diverse characters will further enrich ‘Squid Game’ Season 2, including Chae Gook-hee as ‘Seonnyeo’, a fallen shaman adding tension with ominous prophecies and curses, rapper ‘Thanos’ (Choi Seung-hyun) from a hip-hop survival show, and other passionate contestants with unique traits.
Lee Byung-hun mentions, “I believe it will deliver entertainment beyond what many expect,” indicating that ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 will captivate viewers with its colorful narrative and unpredictable, thrilling story.
‘Squid Game’ Season 2, enhancing expectations with the newly released character posters and introduction videos, will be available exclusively on Netflix from December 26.