‘Squid Game 2’ Lee Byung-hun: “Making the Front Man Join the Game Was a Clever Strategy”
In Squid Game Season 2, Lee Byung-hun steps into a bigger role, shedding the Front Man’s mask to reveal “Oh Young-il.” He portrays In-ho, who oversees the games after Oh Il-nam’s death and keeps a close eye on Gi-hun’s return.
Reflecting on his expanded role, Lee Byung-hun called the decision to insert the Front Man into the games “a clever strategy,” adding, “It allowed me to interact with other participants and observe Gi-hun, which added a layer of intrigue. A big reveal later could have worked, but the subtlety created a unique connection with viewers.”
During promotions, Lee Byung-hun made headlines for jokingly complimenting his own performance. He clarified, “It was meant as wit, but people often misread my humor. It’s a little embarrassing when it gets misinterpreted.” Lee Byung-hun also credited the production team for enhancing key scenes with expert editing and music.
With the series’ immense popularity, Lee Byung-hun acknowledged the intense scrutiny surrounding the cast and their actions, saying, “This level of interest wouldn’t exist for smaller projects, so it’s a positive sign of the show’s impact. As for individual activities, I have no comment.”
Regarding rumors that he suggested Choi Seung-hyun (BIGBANG’s T.O.P) for casting, Lee Byung-hun dismissed them, “I heard the director’s thoughts and found it interesting, but there was no need for me to speak on the matter further.”
“Squid Game” Season 2 captures the tense showdown between Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and the Front Man, as well as the rekindling of the deadly games. The new season is now streaming on Netflix.
