The ‘problematic works’ that embrace the ‘two controversial actors’, Kwak Do-won and Choi Seung-hyun (TOP) are coming.

The movie ‘Firefighter’ and the Netflix series ‘Squid Game’ season 2, starring the two actors who caused social controversy due to drunk driving and drug use charges respectively, will be released back-to-back in December. The public‘s view of the two actors is still cold, but the public’s temperature difference is quite different toward ‘Firefighter’, which was hit by the controversy caused by Kwak Do-won after all filming was completed, and ‘Squid Game’, which insisted on casting Choi Seung-hyun, who is labeled a criminal.

○“I resent Kwak Do-won”… Director Kwak Kyung-taek‘s determination statement

‘Firefighter’ will meet the audience on December 4, 4 years after wrapping up filming in 2020 due to COVID-19 and ‘1st lead actor’ Kwak Do-won’s drunk driving arrest in 2022. Officials say that since Kwak Do-won plays a righteous firefighter in a film based on the 2001 incident in which 6 firefighters died, they were more sensitive to the social controversy he caused and considered the release. Accordingly, Kwak Do-won‘s exposure was minimized in trailers, press stills, etc.

At a production report meeting held on the 8th in Kwak Do-won’s absence, director Kwak Kyung-taek bitterly criticized Kwak Do-won for causing a blow to the film, saying, “I really hate him and resent him.” “He should take great responsibility for what he did. (Kwak Do-won) also said, “He is a person who needs deep reflection and introspection.”

However, Director Kwak said, “In a situation where I was having a lot of trouble, a firefighter told me, ‘Firefighters don’t do it alone, they work as a team. You have other actors and staff, so cheer up.’” He expressed his hope that the sincerity of the film, which was made up of a lot of hard work, would not be damaged.

‘Squid Game’ Season 2 capture

○ ‘Unwavering despite public criticism’… Director Hwang Dong-hyeok’s ‘My Way’

‘Season 2 of ‘Squid Game’, which stars Choi Seung-hyun, who has a drug use record, is different from ‘Firefighter’, which took an unexpected risk due to an incident that occurred after the filming ended. It was in 2017 that Choi Seung-hyun received a suspended sentence on drug charges and halted his activities, and ‘Squid Game’ insisted on casting ‘criminal’ Choi Seung-hyun even as the world‘s attention was focused on casting for Season 2. It was reported that ‘Chief’ Director Hwang Dong-hyeok, who was in charge of both the script and directing, personally insisted on casting Choi Seung-hyun.

There was a huge amount of public criticism even before filming began, as Choi Seung-hyun’s comeback stage would be the best K-content, but Netflix and Director Hwang paid no attention.

While Choi Seung-hyun in the drama is known to be a retired idol-turned-game participant, the trailer released on the 1st caught attention by showing Choi Seung-hyun with purple dyed hair leading other participants to elimination. Unlike typical works that edit out the scenes of actors who have caused controversy as much as possible from the trailer, the trailer was flooded with comments criticizing Choi Seung-hyun‘s appearance.


Reporter Lee Seung-mi smlee@donga.com

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