‘Squid Game 2’ has introduced the characters participating in the game.
On the 5th, the team behind the Netflix original series ‘Squid Game 2’ released an introduction video and poster featuring the main characters of Season 2.
The story revolves around Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who returns to participate in the game seeking revenge, and the fierce confrontation with the Frontman (Lee Byung-hun), as the real game begins again.
The first character poster released for ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 evokes the profile photos taken just before the game by the participants. The poster of Gi-hun, number 456, who has returned to end the game, contrasts with the other participants who are experiencing the game for the first time, as he wears a serious expression devoid of laughter. Gi-hun’s appearance, which exudes a different atmosphere from the pure and bright persona of Season 1, hints at his determination and strong will to risk his life to uncover the truth behind the game.
In contrast, the profiles of eight other participants, filled with hope of making big money, display bright smiles. Lim Si-wan, playing the role of number 333, a coin (cryptocurrency) investment YouTuber, along with Kang Ha-neul, who plays number 388, a friendly and charming character named Dae-ho, and Lee Jin-wook, who plays number 246, Kyung-seok, desperately needing treatment costs for his sick daughter, as well as Park Seong-hoon, who plays number 120, Hyun-joo, a transgender person needing money for gender confirmation surgery, all showcase smiles that create a paradoxical tension.
Additionally, Yang Dong-geun and Kang Ae-sim, who play number 007, Yong-sik, and his mother number 149, Geum-ja, respectively, hint at the story of a mother and son at a crossroads in a game where survival is at stake. The reunion of Gi-hun with his long-lost friend, number 390, Jung-bae, played by Lee Seo-hwan, and number 222, Jun-hee, played by Jo Yu-ri, who lost a fortune due to false investment information, adds to the anticipation of what these new participants will experience as they smile, unaware of the events to come.
In the Season 2 character introduction video, director Hwang Dong-hyuk and the actors personally introduced their characters. Lee Jung-jae stated, “I think the strongest purpose was that he must change. I believe that was the biggest driving force for Gi-hun to change compared to Season 1.” Lee Byung-hun, who plays the Frontman, the game's overseer, emphasized the conflict between the two characters, saying, “I thought that breaking Gi-hun's beliefs was, in a way, the Frontman’s biggest goal.” Wi Ha-jun, who plays Junho, who struggles to find his brother In-ho, the Frontman, after surviving Season 1, said, “I think he admired and liked his brother too much. That’s why he becomes more obsessed.”
Lim Si-wan, who plays Myung-ki, said, “After being involved in a coin scam while working as a YouTuber and losing a huge amount of money, I end up becoming a fugitive before participating in this game.” Jo Yu-ri mentioned about Myung-ki’s ex-girlfriend Jun-hee, “I meet my ex-boyfriend Myung-ki again, who gave me false investment information inside the game.” Yang Dong-geun and Kang Ae-sim described their characters, saying, “For Yong-sik, Geum-ja is a protective shield and a great fortune,” and “A mother who thinks of her son as precious,” raising curiosity about their fates in the brutal game where eliminations occur one by one. Lee Seo-hwan described Jung-bae’s feelings for his friend Gi-hun, saying, “It’s a relationship that has camaraderie and brotherhood, not just friendship.”
Kang Ha-neul described his character Dae-ho as “a character who shows a friendly and charming side as a survival strategy to survive in the wild.” Park Seong-hoon explained Hyun-joo as “a character who shows strength, decisiveness, and leadership, breaking down various prejudices and showcasing a wonderful image.” Lee Jin-wook stated, “Kyung-seok is an ordinary citizen whose only daughter has leukemia. He participates in the game to pay for her treatment,” while Park Gyu-young introduced No-eul as “a character with no will to live other than finding her child.” Each character's desperate backstory is also hinted at.
Chae Guk-hee plays a shaman with diminished powers, adding tension among the participants with significant prophecies and curses. Centered around rapper Thanos (Choi Seung-hyun), a runner-up from a hip-hop survival show, the cast includes Lee Da-wit as the timid and fearful Min-soo, No Jae-won as the strong yet weak-willed Nam-kyu who follows Thanos, and Won Ji-an as Semi, a spirited character who looks after the weak Min-soo. The different personalities of these characters are also expected to add variables to Season 2.
Season 2 will be available exclusively on Netflix starting December 26.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
