Actor Lee Jung-jae talked about the response following the release of ‘Squid Game Season 2’.

On the 2nd, Lee Jung-jae met with Donga.com for an interview for the Netflix series ‘Squid Game Season 2 (hereafter referred to as Squid Game 2)’ at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and talked about the work.

On that day, Lee Jung-jae began by saying regarding the various responses since the release of ‘Squid Game 2’, “I‘ve been hearing various opinions. I’m in the middle of the latter half of Season 3, so I think I‘ll be able to wrap it up well after listening to many people’s opinions. That‘s why I think it’s even better.“

Regarding the success of ‘Squid Game 2’, which topped the charts in 93 countries around the world in just two days since its release, Lee Jung-jae said, “I didn‘t expect so many people to watch it so quickly. I’m grateful that so many people have watched it, as the creator. “I’m thankful that many people around the world are watching Korean content,” he said.

Even in such a situation, there have been continuous negative reviews about season 2. Regarding this, Lee Jung-jae said, “Since the season system often ends without completing everything, I don’t feel too burdened by that. Since it will be released this year, if you watch it, you’ll hear other opinions that I prepared this kind of story. Since the story isn’t going to end in season 2, but there are still stories left, so I don’t really care about those opinions. I’m glad that I can reflect them in the post-production.”



Since “Squid Game” was so well-received around the world, it wouldn’t have been an easy decision to return for season 2. When asked why he was able to decide to appear in “Squid Game 2,” Lee Jung-jae said, “The company didn’t want me to do season 1. They said it was too boring. I read the scenario as one that did not emphasize the survival game, but rather one that well-incorporated the joys and sorrows of the characters. In particular, the theme of a commoner like Ki-hoon not losing his good heart and not necessarily winning the game, but having to trust people and work together to survive in this society was well-received. That’s why I really wanted to do it. I actually never thought about it.”

He said, “I asked about season 2 several times while filming season 1. But director Hwang said he had no intention of doing it, so I had no expectations at all. He said that he wanted to think about it as a way to repay the gratitude for the great success he had achieved worldwide, so he suggested that we start with the character Seong Ki-hoon stopping the game. I understand that he decided that it would be possible to develop the story by using the energy of the comrade who turned back from the plane in season 1. I participated in the work with a grateful heart. However, many people had expectations and concerns about whether it would be as successful as season 1. However, he added, ”I thought it would be more meaningful if the creators focused on wrapping up the story better rather than thinking that it absolutely had to be successful.“

Meanwhile, ‘Squid Game 2’, released on December 26, 2024, depicts the story of Ki-hoon (played by Lee Jung-jae), who vows revenge and returns to the game, the fierce confrontation between the frontman (played by Lee Byung-hun) who greets him, and the real game that begins again.

Choi Yoon-na, Donga.com reporter yyynnn@donga.com