Squid Game: Q+A

To get you in the mood for Squid Game S2 here’s a cast Q+A supplied by Netflix.

Lee Jung-Jae | “Gi-hun”

Three years after winning Squid Game, Gi-hun is determined to uncover who’s behind it all. Believing the recruiter holds the key, he relentlessly searches for him. After finally tracking him down, Gi-hun secures an invitation with the location to meet the elusive Front Man. Face to face at last, Gi-hun firmly demands, “Stop this game.”

After the global success of Squid Game season one, did you feel any pressure going into season two?

A lot of pressure, for sure. A lot of thought went into preparing for season two and a lot of rehearsing had to follow as well. But more so than myself, the director and crew put so much into this project, and thanks to them and our collective efforts, I think we’ve made something great.

What surprised you the most about season two when you read the scripts?

Character dynamics was the most intriguing aspect for me in season one. It was amazing how all of the various characters had their backstories, with each player coming into it with different emotions and purposes that made them desperate to win the game. I think the director did an amazing job building this out — it has even more depth and explores how the conflicts between the characters have gotten even stronger. The people Gi-hun crosses paths with in the game, and the character dynamics with those he had known before, all of it was beyond what I could ever imagine. So when I was reading the script for the first time, I was like, “Wait so this is how it’s going to unfold? These meetings take place? Wait, how can they part ways like this?” The premises and emotions set in the characters’ relationships were the most surprising.

How did you approach your character, Gi-hun, in season two? What were your conversations like with Director Hwang going into season two?

The most important thing was his mindset — how he’s so determined to make sure those who made all of this happen will be punished. For Gi-hun, even though he doesn’t have power or a clear strategy to solve the problem, one thing he knows for sure is that this must never happen again. That mindset played the biggest role in his motivations this season. He has a strong sense of purpose that he has to change it all.

I had a lot of conversations with Director Hwang as we were working on season one, but for season two, we already knew how to work with each other so well, and he had described what was going through Gi-hun’s mind in such detail in the script. And because I was reprising the role and had the experience of being this character, understanding Gi-hun came naturally. This time, instead of asking questions or sharing my ideas with Director Hwang, I focused more on understanding his creative vision and what he wanted to express, making every effort to bring that to life.

Lee Byung-Hun | “Front Man” / “In-ho”

Gi-hun confronts the Front Man, demanding the games stop, but the Front Man insists they only host—everything else is the players’ choice. When Gi-hun accuses him of trapping desperate people, the Front Man counters, claiming the games will never end unless the world itself changes.

Your appearance in Squid Game season one was short, but impactful. In season two, however, your character plays a much larger part in the narrative. What were your thoughts on this change?

There were more scenes where I was no longer behind a mask and I got to portray these complex, intertwined emotions. It was challenging, but it was the complexity of emotions that attracted me to the character as an actor in the first place. So, I felt more free, and it was more fun to portray this character.

What was it like working with Director Hwang?

You know how people always say things about a sophomore slump? This sophomore does even better than the freshman! I thought the scripts for season two couldn’t get any better, but then Director Hwang would make little tweaks on set, and guess what? It got even better. I’m amazed at what a genius storyteller he is.

An actor is only able to confidently pull off one’s character when they fully understand what the character’s motives are. Front Man is the mastermind behind the game, but he’s also human, and I believe there is a last remaining piece of benevolence inside of him. Regarding to what extent I should express that was something I always had to figure out by talking with the director. There were so many scenes where there were no lines and I just had to express everything through my facial expressions, and it was critical for those scenes for me to clearly understand what’s going on in In-ho’s mind and gauge how much humanity is actually left in him. So every time we had those moments, Director Hwang and I would have conversations and improvise, more so than any other character, to strike the right balance.

What was it like reuniting with Lee Jung-jae?

I worked with Jung-jae on a series that came out about 20 years ago and after all these years we got to work together again. I felt proud that both of us have become seasoned, older, and more serious about acting. He is a peer who I share a long history and friendship with so I very much enjoyed working with him again.

Yim Si-Wan | “Myung-gi”

A former cryptocurrency influencer who, after losing a hefty sum of cash and incurring huge losses for himself and his subscribers, becomes a fugitive until his involvement in the game.

How did you feel about season one of Squid Game and what was your reaction upon being cast in season two?

I enjoyed season one so much and was excited when season two production was announced. It was mind-blowing when I realized that I was going to be a part of Squid Game. I kept thinking, “Is this really happening to me?” The games in Squid Game are so familiar to people who grew up in Korea back then; we’ve all played them. They bring up a childhood nostalgia, but juxtaposing them with life-and-death situations made for a novel, shocking combination. Naturally, I was riveted by how the series would proceed and what would happen next. I’m so excited to be a part of it all.

Wi Ha-Jun | “Jun-ho”

His journey in season two is fraught with challenges and shaky situations through which he remains unshaken, and in portraying him, I focused on his unwavering gaze.

Where do we find Jun-ho at the start of season two?

First of all, I’m so thankful that Director Hwang revived this character, and I was honored to work on the series again. That said, in season two, Jun-ho is alive and is back at his job as a police officer. From his experiences in season one, he now knows the truth, but he can’t get any support from his captain and continues to struggle alone because he has no evidence. In a way, this solo journey in his life is exhausting. He is faced with the mission of uncovering the truth, exposing gross injustices, searching for his brother, and saving people from a dangerous organization. I think each day over the last three years must have been lonely and difficult for him. His journey in season two is fraught with challenges and shaky situations through which he remains unshaken, and in portraying him, I focused on his unwavering gaze.

Season two explores the relationship between Jun-ho and his brother, In-ho (a.k.a Front Man), in greater depth. In what ways does their relationship impact the story?

Compared to season one, season two digs deeper into their narrative. They’re brothers, but the details of how In-ho impacted Jun-ho’s life remains unclear. But my own understanding of the narrative is that their childhood environment was not a good one. As the older brother, In-ho was a father figure, someone Jun-ho looked up to. They were close, so much so that Jun-ho followed in In-ho’s footsteps and became a cop. And because he loved and looked up to his brother so much, he just can’t let go. That’s why he searches for him relentlessly.

Yang Dong-Guen | “Yong-sik” (right)

A compulsive gambler neck-deep in debt who finds his own mother is a participant in the game.

What was it like working with Director Hwang Dong-hyuk?

I braced myself before we began filming. He’s like this era’s da Vinci. He’ll give simple directions consisting of a few words. I may not catch on right away, but it doesn’t take a whole lot of conversation to arrive there. He gives directions, but we’re moving the brush together in collaboration. That surprised me a little. Once I figured out his way of doing things, I liked it a lot. No matter what, I was ready to get fully onboard with his style. The chemistry between us is apparent in every take and every scene.

Kang Ae-Sim | “Geum-ja” (left)

A headstrong woman with a strong drive to provide for her family. She joins the game with the intention of paying off her son’s debts — only to find that he’s joined the game, as well.

How did you come to join the new season of Squid Game and what was your reaction when you learned you got the role?

I was asked to send a self-taped audition, but I didn’t have anyone to film me, so I put the camera in front of me and began with, “Hello, I’m Kang Ae-sim” and recited some of the character’s lines. When I learned I got the role, I couldn’t believe it. I kept thinking, “No, this can’t be true. It may not be me. What do I do now?” It wasn’t until I met the director, went in for a costume fitting, and tried on wigs that it felt real.

Lee Seo-Hwan | “Jung-bae”

A long-time friend and former coworker of Gi-hun’s who was last seen gambling alongside Gi-hun at the horse race track (in Season 1).

Fans may recognize Jung-bae from his brief appearance in season one as Gi-hun’s friend at the horse race. How did you build upon that relationship in season two?

There’s a scene in season two where Jung-bae and Gi-hun are chatting and Gi-hun’s in a serious mood, but Jung-bae’s walking down memory lane. That’s when I first had an aha moment where I realized what the camaraderie between the two friends was really like. In season one, we were just silly, middle-aged former coworkers who frequented horse races together. But in season two I saw that we shared a deeper bond.

What was it like reuniting with Lee Jung-jae?

I first worked with Lee Jung-jae in the film Deliver Us from Evil. He murdered me in the story in a gruesome way. [Laughs.] When I met up with him in season one, it was daunting at first to act in a scene with him. If you look closely, you’ll see that I didn’t even look him in the eye. Only towards the end, I stole a glance at him. For season two, I was determined to erase my memories of him in Deliver Us from Evil [Laughs.] Acting next to him was an awe-inspiring experience. There may be more flowery words to describe it, but I was simply in awe.

Jo Yu-Ri | “Jun-hee”

A strong-willed woman who participates in the game due to bad investments made at the advice of an influencer.

How did you feel about season one of Squid Game and what was your reaction upon learning that you’d been cast in season two?

I was such an avid fan of season one, so it was an honor for me to join the cast. What interested me was how familiar childhood games turned into games of life or death for adults. It was a cruel yet fascinating premise. As for the casting process, I remember being nervous throughout the whole process which took some time. When I got the call about the role, I was incredibly touched. I cried a lot.

Squid Game 2 begins today on Netflix.