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| ▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Yonhap) -- Renowned for his meticulous attention to detail, Lee Byung-hun remains a cornerstone of South Korean acting talent.
In Netflix's "Squid Game," his subtle expressions and piercing gazes convey a spectrum of emotions—curiosity, hostility, mockery, and disdain, occasionally tinged with regret. His layered performance grips viewers, heightening the tension with each glance.
Speaking at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on Wednesday, Lee reflected, "I approached my role as if I were sharing a secret with the audience, something only we knew."
In "Squid Game 2," Lee reprises his role as the enigmatic Front Man, infiltrating the deadly games under the alias Oh Young-il, blending with the players to gain their trust—particularly that of Seong Gi-hun, portrayed by Lee Jung-jae.
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| ▲ This still photo, provided by Netflix, shows South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun in global hit series "Squid Game 2." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
"The reveal of Oh Il-nam’s identity was a key twist in Season 1," Lee explained, "but this time, we adopted the opposite approach—making the Front Man’s identity known upfront to sustain the tension throughout."
The Front Man, or Hwang In-ho, is not just a figure of authority but a former winner of the deadly games, having once competed under similar circumstances as Seong Gi-hun. However, his perspective on the games starkly contrasts with Gi-hun's.
"In-ho entered the game after losing all hope in life," Lee said, "and while he won, the experience stripped him of any remaining faith in humanity. He's a character driven by despair, someone who has reached the nadir of his existence."
While Gi-hun risks everything to dismantle the games, In-ho dons his green tracksuit again, this time to defend the system. "In-ho views Gi-hun with a mix of derision and reluctant support," Lee revealed. "He may see a reflection of his former self in Gi-hun and secretly hope Gi-hun’s beliefs prove true."
As for why the Front Man stays on the island, Lee offered insight: "People often ask why In-ho works as the Front Man. It's not because he wants to remain there but because he has no hope left for the outside world. The island is a retreat from a world he has given up on."
Lee's nuanced portrayal of a man torn between cynicism and faint glimmers of empathy resonates with fans worldwide, setting a new standard for psychological depth in the hit series.
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| ▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
While Squid Game 2 has drawn both praise and criticism domestically and internationally, it continues to dominate Netflix’s viewership metrics. The series has ranked as the platform’s most-watched content globally for two consecutive weeks, setting new benchmarks in viewing hours and numbers.
Speaking about the polarizing reception, lead actor Lee Byung-hun remarked, "I personally found it incredibly entertaining. No project is immune to criticism, and I respect the diversity of opinions."
Addressing rumors about his involvement in casting T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun), formerly of Big Bang, as the character Thanos in the series, Lee offered clarification. "I heard from the director about their intention to cast T.O.P and thought it sounded intriguing," he said. "At the time, I didn’t feel it necessary to comment on the rumors of my involvement."
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| ▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Having debuted in 1991, Lee Byung-hun has dedicated 34 years to his acting career. While he has starred in major Hollywood blockbusters such as G.I. Joe, Red 2, and Terminator Genisys, he noted that the reception to Squid Game 2 has been unparalleled.
"I’ve experienced Hollywood blockbusters a few times, but being celebrated internationally for acting in Korean, alongside my Korean colleagues, is a completely different feeling," Lee shared. "It’s ironic but deeply moving that I’m receiving more recognition for a Korean project than for Hollywood ones."
Reflecting on his career trajectory, Lee joked, "As an actor, I’ve always considered an ideal life to be one where you’re moderately recognized everywhere. After G.I. Joe, I thought, ‘Well, there goes my chance at living a low-profile life—I’m going to be very famous now.’ That happened a few times, but when I went abroad, no one recognized me. (Laughs) But this time, it feels real. For now, I think I’ll be living as someone everyone knows."
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