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| ▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows actor Lee Jung-jae from "Squid Game." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, show actor Lee Jung-jae who took the main role for Netflix original series, "Squid Game." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 19 (Yonhap) -- Korea’s top tier actor Lee Jung-jae who rose to global stardom after playing the main role for Netflix Korean original series “Squid Game” has had interviewed with America’s influential daily news, the New York Times (NYT) through a phone call and with the aid of a translator.
The NYT posted their interview with the actor on their website saying, “In the month since its debut, the show (‘Squid Game’) has become a global phenomenon,” on the 18th (local time)
Responses to the series can be divided into two extremely opposite directions. “The most intense fans may want to wear ‘Squid Game’-style tracksuits, make Dalgona candy, or even learn Korea. Detractors complain of egregious violence and gaping plot holes,” said the daily news.
When NYT asked about Lee’s response to “some critics’ slamming it for being pointlessly violent, or having only a vague message,” the actor answered, “I think if they rewatch the series, the audience will be able to notice more of these subtle elements.”
In “Squid Game,” participants go through bloody survival games to be the final winner of 45.6 billion won prize money.
Lee said that he understands the polarized responses to the series and suggested, “For those viewers who found the series a little less interesting, I would like to recommend that they watch it again.”
He also explained to NYT, “Korean people believe that their friends are very valuable and important. And I think what ‘Squid Game’ has done is to tie in this theme of altruism to the story line of the survival game.”
“’Squid Game’ is not really a show about survival games. It’s about people,” emphasized the actor.
“I think we pose questions to ourselves as we watch the show: Have I forgetting anything that I should never lose sight of, as a human being? Was there anybody who needed my help, but I was unaware of them?” said Lee, according to NYT’s article.
Regarding the debate over the English-translated subtitles, Lee said, “There could be a specific word in Korean that accurately encapsulates a concept that might not exist in other regions.”
“I don’t think the subtle nuances really change the fundamental way that the series is communicated, so I’m not really concerned about those slight differences,” added Lee.
Lee also showed his hopes for other K-contents to be able to gather a wider range of watchers “because, ’Squid Game’ has done such a good job in raising awareness of Korean TV series and films.”
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