[Sports Chosun’s Moon Ji-yeon] “Squid Game” Season 2 has revealed nine character posters and an introduction to the characters by director Hwang Dong-hyuk and the actors.
The Netflix series “Squid Game” Season 2 is raising anticipation as it releases a character introduction video featuring the main characters of the season along with posters showing their participant numbers. “Squid Game” Season 2 narrates the intense showdown between ‘Gi-hun’ (Lee Jung-jae), who returns to seek revenge and participate in the game again, and ‘Frontman’ (Lee Byung-hun), who greets him, as well as a story about the real game starting afresh.
The released first character posters of “Squid Game” Season 2 resemble profile pictures taken by game participants just before entering the game. The poster for No. 456 ‘Gi-hun’ contrasts with other first-time participants with its serious expression, devoid of laughter. Gi-hun’s determination and strong will, as he risks his life to uncover the game’s masterminds and participates again, are palpable, conveying a different atmosphere than his naive and innocent demeanor in Season 1.
In contrast, the profiles of eight other participants, filled with laughter or bright smiles, brim with anticipation of making big money. Among them, Im Si-wan plays 333 ‘Myeong-gi’, a cryptocurrency investor YouTuber, and Kang Ha-neul plays 388 ‘Dae-ho’, a character with an easy-going and affable personality. Meanwhile, Lee Jin-wook portrays 246 ‘Gyeong-seok’, who desperately needs money for his sick daughter’s treatment, and Park Sung-hoon plays 120 ‘Hyun-joo’, a transgender person seeking funds for gender-affirming surgery, both displaying bright smiles that paradoxically heighten tension.
Additionally, Yang Dong-geun as 007 ‘Yong-sik’, who joins the game to repay gambling debts, and Kang Ae-shim as his mother 149 ‘Geum-ja’, represent a new storyline where familial relationships outside the game merge into the game, unlike in Season 1. While Lee Seo-hwan plays 390 ‘Jeong-bae’, Gi-hun’s long-lost friend, meeting again at the game venue, Jo Yu-ri plays 222 ‘Joon-hee’, who lost a fortune due to incorrect investment information. These new participants, who smile oblivious to what lies ahead, intrigue viewers with their unpredictable storylines within the game.
The concurrently released character introduction video for “Squid Game” Season 2 features director Hwang Dong-hyuk and the actors personally presenting their characters, offering vivid insights into the new season. Describing his character in the series, Lee Jung-jae as ‘Gi-hun’ notes that his purpose, being something he must change, was a significant driving force for his transformation compared to Season 1.
Lee Byung-hun, who plays ‘Frontman’, the game’s master on a collision course with Gi-hun, emphasizes that the key goal was to dismantle Gi-hun’s beliefs. This underlines the impending conflict between the two characters. Wi Ha-jun, portraying ‘Jun-ho’, who returns to seek his brother ‘In-ho’ (also Frontman), reflects on his character’s admiration for his brother and his resulting obsession, arousing curiosity about whether Jun-ho will eventually reunite with In-ho.
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk commented that the dramatic stories born from the characters’ backstories enhance the enjoyment of watching the new season, enriched with more diverse characters and complex narratives. Im Si-wan, who plays ‘Myeong-gi’, shared that his character, caught in a coin scam, lost significant money and involved his channel subscribers, leading to his fugitive status before joining the game. Meanwhile, Jo Yu-ri, playing Joon-hee, Myeong-gi’s ex-girlfriend, mentions meeting her former boyfriend, who had given her wrong investment information, in the life-threatening game arena.
Yang Dong-geun describes ‘Yong-sik’ as considering his mother ‘Geum-ja’ to be both a shield and a significant source of luck, while Kang Ae-shim portrays ‘Geum-ja’ as a mother who treasures her son dearly, highlighting the fate of these characters amidst the brutal game where eliminations begin. Lee Seo-hwan also characterizes ‘Jeong-bae’, Gi-hun’s friend, as having camaraderie akin to that of comrades, promising a rich storyline.
Kang Ha-neul, delving into his character ‘Dae-ho’, notes his character’s cunning ability to foster intimacy, an essential survival strategy within the harsh group dynamics. Park Sung-hoon describes ‘Hyun-joo’ as someone who showcases strength, determination, and leadership, challenging prejudices and exhibiting admirable traits despite difficult circumstances.
Lee Jin-wook, playing ‘Gyeong-seok’, describes his character as an ordinary citizen participating in the game to treat his daughter, who has leukemia. Meanwhile, Park Kyu-young introduces ‘No-eul’ as having no motivation in life beyond finding her child, further heightening the unpredictability of “Squid Game” Season 2’s storyline enriched with the characters’ desperate narratives.
Many diverse characters are set to enrich “Squid Game” Season 2. Chae Gook-hee as the fallen shaman ‘Seon-nyeo’, provides ominous prophecies and curses, amplifying tension among participants. With Choi Seung-hyun as rapper ‘Thanos’, along with Lee Da-wit playing the timid and fearful ‘Min-soo’, Rho Jae-won as ‘Nam-gyu’, loyal yet opportunistic, and Won Ji-an as the bold ‘Semi’, who cares for weak ‘Min-soo’—these unique personalities promise intriguing twists in “Squid Game” Season 2.
Lee Byung-hun believes that the series will be more entertaining than viewers can imagine. “Squid Game” Season 2, featuring diverse narratives and compelling characters, is set to captivate audiences with its suspenseful and thrilling storyline. Having released the first character posters and introduction video, the anticipation for “Squid Game” Season 2, premiering exclusively on Netflix on December 26, has significantly heightened.