‘Squid Game Season 2’ Lee Jung-jae talked about how Sung Ki-hoon has changed in 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 this day, Lee Jung-jae mentioned that while appearing in ‘Squid Game 2’, Sung Ki-hoon is participating in a game again through the ‘Mugunghwa Flower Has Blossomed’, and said, “I thought Director Hwang Dong-hyeok, who worked with the writer and director, had a very good strategy. I was curious about the first game before receiving the script, and I thought the strategy was good after watching Mugunghwa Game. (There was a) three years of gap, and I think it was a good setting that allowed me to quickly immerse myself in the world of ‘Squid Game’ by showing a familiar game. From Ki-hoon‘s perspective, he showed his efforts to save at least one more person, and I think he explained his purpose for entering the arcade well.“

Lee Jung-jae then explained how Ki-hoon changed in season 2 compared to season 1. Lee Jung-jae said, ”If you look at Ki-hoon coming out of the arcade at the end of season 1, he is already a far cry from the old Ki-hoon. I think Ki-hoon’s subsequent emotions and thoughts were natural because they were an extension of how Ki-hoon changed while living on the streets for 2-3 years. Personally, while Ki-hoon showed various sides of himself in season 1, season 2 only showed Ki-hoon trying to achieve his goal, so I couldn‘t show a variety of sides of him, so I thought about how I could show him the side of him in season 1.“

He then said, ”Ki-hoon can’t go back to the old Ki-hoon, so I put aside my personal regrets. He added, “I think it was a good director‘s choice because Ki-hoon’s appearance has parts that other characters can do.”



Lee Jung-jae also said, “In fact, it was burdensome to appear as a serious character throughout. Since I showed such a variety of expressions and emotions in Season 1, I worried a lot about how I could find and show a brighter side of him from Season 1. It was clear that Ki-hoon‘s appearance in this season and Season 3 was not like that. The structure was such that showing various emotions had to be shared by other characters. That was a personal regret, and as a colleague who shares the entire story, I had no choice but to be more faithful to my role. I think the director put a lot of thought into creating the different Ki-hoon in Season 2. He explained, ”I couldn’t help but get absorbed in it.“

Regarding the reaction that Lee Jung-jae‘s lines in ”Squid Game 2“ were in a historical drama tone, he added, ”People say that’s a historical drama tone, but that‘s what happens when you scream.“

When asked which character in ”Squid Game 2“ left the deepest impression on him, Lee Jung-jae said, ”It was amazing. As you know, everyone recognized that they were talented. That wasn’t easy, but I think it was because of Director Hwang‘s trust in him. He carried out his acting with affection until the end. It was all amazing.“

Regarding his chemistry with Ttakji-nam (played by Gong Yoo), which was the opening scene of ”Squid Game 2,“ Lee Jung-jae said, ”I was amazed. I was amazed while we were actually filming. He also said, “You’re going to look so cool.” We work out in the same place. I saw that scene when I was recording the sequel and I said to myself at the gym, ‘You did a great job with that scene.’ He also said he was satisfied when we had the preview.’

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

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