Squid Game 2 Character Lineup Revealed: From Lee Jung-jae's Return to Transgender Characters

Source: Netflix youtube

"Squid Game 2" Characters Revealed... A More Diverse Narrative and Characters

Netflix has heightened anticipation for the globally acclaimed "Squid Game" season 2 by releasing the first character posters and character introduction videos. Season 2 will feature an intense rivalry between Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who returns to the games seeking revenge, and the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun). The addition of new participants and exciting storylines promises a more multifaceted narrative.

Source: Netflix youtube

Glimpses into the Participants' Personalities through Season 2 Character Posters

The recently released character posters, designed as profile pictures of the participants, have attracted attention. First, Gi-hun, the protagonist of season 1, displays a serious, humorless expression, revealing his unwavering determination in the game. This is a 180-degree shift from his innocent and cheerful demeanor in season 1.

Other participants show expressions filled with excitement at their first participation in the games. This includes No. 333 ‘Myeong-gi’ (Lim Si-wan), a cryptocurrency investment YouTuber; No. 388 ‘Dae-ho’ (Kang Ha-neul), with an affable personality; No. 246 ‘Gyeong-seok’ (Lee Jin-wook), who participates to secure his daughter's medical expenses; and No. 120 ‘Hyeon-ju’ (Park Seong-hoon), a transgender woman participating to raise funds for gender confirmation surgery. The posters showcase participants with diverse backgrounds and motivations.

In particular, the posters of No. 007 ‘Yong-sik’ (Yang Dong-geun) and No. 149 ‘Geum-ja’ (Kang Ae-sim), a mother and son participating together, hint at a new development with their family relationship extending into the game, sparking curiosity. The reunion of Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan) and Gi-hun, friends who lost contact, also suggests an intriguing storyline.

Squid Game 2 Poster

Character Stories Shared by the Director and Actors

The accompanying character introduction video, featuring director Hwang Dong-hyuk and the actors, further increases anticipation for the new season. Lee Jung-jae stated, "Gi-hun returns to the game with a goal he must achieve." Lee Byung-hun emphasized the rivalry between the two characters, explaining, "The Front Man's goal is to shatter Gi-hun's beliefs."

The new characters also added to the immersion with their individual stories. Lim Si-wan explained, "Myeong-gi, now a fugitive after a cryptocurrency scam, participates in the game to make money." Jo Yu-ri revealed that her character reunites with her ex-boyfriend Myeong-gi in the game due to misguided investment information, raising expectations for their relationship.

Park Seong-hoon described Hyeon-ju as "a strong and decisive character who displays leadership even in difficult situations," hinting at her unique appeal. Kang Ha-neul introduced his character, Dae-ho, as "a cunning character who uses his affability to survive."

Squid Game 2 Poster

Season 2: Multifaceted Narrative and New Variables

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk stated, "Season 2, with its richer character stories, will present a more dramatic narrative that transcends a simple survival game." In addition to the existing participants, diverse characters such as Chae Guk-hee, playing a shamanistic role, and rapper ‘Thanos’ (Choi Seung-hyun), a runner-up in a hip-hop survival competition, will appear and act as variables within the game.

The desperate stories and in-game choices of each character are expected to make season 2 even more exciting. As Lee Byung-hun stated, "Viewers will experience more excitement than they expect." 'Squid Game' season 2 will deliver overwhelming immersion through a deeper narrative and complex relationships between characters.

Release Date

"Squid Game" season 2 will be exclusively released on Netflix on December 26th.

About Actor Lee Jung-jae

Lee Jung-jae, born December 15, 1972, is a 51-year-old South Korean actor and film director from Jongno-gu, Seoul. He is 180cm tall.

Main Profile

• Blood Type: B
• Religion: Protestantism (Methodist)
• Agency: Artist Company
• Education: Department of Theatre and Film, Dongguk University; Master's Degree in Performing Arts, Dongguk University Graduate School of Culture and Arts
• Debut: 1993 SBS Drama "Dinosaur Teacher"

Main Filmography

Films

• 1994: "Young Man"
• 1999: "No Sun"
• 2010: "The Housemaid"
• 2012: "The Thieves"
• 2013: "New World", "The Face Reader"
• 2015: "Assassination"
• 2022: "Hunt" (Directorial Debut)

Dramas

• 1995: "Hourglass"
• 2019: "Chief of Staff"
• 2021: "Squid Game"

Main Awards

• 1999: Blue Dragon Film Awards, Best Actor (No Sun)
• 2021: Screen Actors Guild Awards, Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series (Squid Game)
• 2022: Primetime Emmy Awards, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Squid Game)

Lee Jung-jae gained international recognition through the global success of "Squid Game." In 2022, he received the Order of Cultural Merit in Korea. He is also a renowned fashion icon and has recently expanded his activities into film directing.