Squid Game Season 2 is bigger and deadlier, introducing new characters and even more intense challenges. The latest season features a mother-son duo, Jang Geum-ja and Park Young-sik, played by Kang Ae-sim and Yang Dong-geun.
Alongside them, younger participants like Lee Myung-gi and Kim Jun-hee, portrayed by Yim Si-wan and Jo Yu-ri, add to the high-stakes drama. Each character has their own reason for joining the game, and their personal dynamics are tested in a violent contest for survival.
In a roundtable interview with CBR, the cast shared their experiences working with Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk. They discussed how they brought their characters to life in such a high-pressure environment.
Working with Hwang Dong-hyuk
Jo Yu-ri, who plays Kim Jun-hee, praised Hwang for his approachable and supportive direction. “He made things really easy for us,” she said. Kang Ae-sim, who plays Jang Geum-ja, described Hwang as a “genius alien” due to his precise planning and attention to detail.
“We shot chronologically, which helped us develop our characters,” she explained. She also highlighted the unique experience of working alongside world-class actors like Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun, noting how everyone supported each other, regardless of role size.
Yang Dong-geun, who plays Park Young-sik, shared that he watched Squid Game Season 1 to prepare for his role. He felt the need to trust Hwang’s direction to fully understand his character’s purpose. “I had to be a messenger of this message,” he said.
Keeping the Humanity of Their Characters
With the chaos and violence surrounding them, the cast had to stay grounded in their characters’ humanity. Yim Si-wan, who plays Lee Myung-gi, explained that his character focuses on profit and loss rather than maintaining human values. “He’s uncertain about his nature,” he said.
Jo Yu-ri described her character, Kim Jun-hee, as warm-hearted but conflicted. “She needs to survive, and that’s why she keeps deciding to stay alive with her baby,” she shared.
Kang Ae-sim said her character’s motives were naturally woven into her dialogue, making it easier to stay true to her role.
Yang Dong-geun noted that his character initially cares only about money, but this changes as he witnesses the brutal consequences of the game.
Unpredictability of Squid Game Season 2
Season 2 is full of surprises and plot twists. Jo Yu-ri described the season as “intense from the get-go,” with unexpected events starting right from the first episode. The cast emphasized how unpredictable the season is, making it even more thrilling for viewers.
Squid Game Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
