Protagonist of the series that passed the screen and entertainment barrier, Lee Jung-Jae says that because of his role he managed to understand the difficulties that many people like “Squid Game” go through.
Lee Jung-Jae (player 456) and Lee Byung-Hun (the front man). Photo: Netflix
“Squid Game” (“Calamar’s game”), launched in 2021, is the most watched series on the Netflix platform, of 142 million people, and collecting 1.65 billion hours of viewing in the first four weeks after launch. Now, director Hwang Dong-Hyuk, who has made history at the 74th edition of the Prime Emmy Awards, becoming the first Asian to win the best direction of a dramatic series, is again at the series of the series, for the third season-the last, otherwise-as director, a director and producer.
Lee Jung-Jae (the one who plays the role of protagonist Seong Gi-Hun, player 456) and Lee Byung-Hun (the one who plays the role of In-Ho-the front man) gave an interview for “Weekend Adevărul” in which they talked about the challenges of the last season (available on the Netflix online streaming platform), but especially about “Squid. Game “.
“Weekend Adevărul”: In season 3, Gi-Hun is tormented by the fact that he survived the rebellion he put on and failed. What did you concentrate on when you portrayed such emotions?
Lee Jung-Jae: I thought of the guilt that Gi-Hun must have felt after the death of so many people, especially his close friend Jung-Bae. I knew it could not be in full mental faculties. Would like to give up everything. Regardless of what happens in the game – with other people or even with himself -, the state in which they are no longer allows him to think clearly about these things. There is an important scene in which another player awakens him to reality, telling him that they need his help and that, in turn, he needs their help. This scene is very exciting. He tells us that, regardless of the misfortunes that come out of our way, we must continue to live.
Lee Jung-Jae, in an intense role, who won the public sympathy. Photo: Netflix
How was it to embody Seong Gi-Hun from 2020 to 2025?
I think I and Gi-Hun we have a lot in common. We both try to think positively and use this positive energy to overcome the weights. We are pursuing our goals and we have a purpose in life. The attachment I feel towards Gi-Hun is very different from the other roles we have performed in my career. GI-Hun is a character created by director Hwang. I also thought about how that character must have been born and raised from his soul. Director Hwang and I wanted to convey that we have the same values.
What message did you detain from “Squid Game” (“Calaman’s game”)?
Understanding the pain and suffering of another person is not an easy thing. Some people do not really try to understand and, because they do not try, they do not learn how to do it. We are often focused on our own feelings, so we live in these times. But, while filming at the “Calamar’s game”, I had the chance to look at all the joys and sadness of the different characters through the eyes of Gi-Hun. This was an invaluable experience for me as a human being. I hope this experience can be shared with the public. Sometimes, the “calamary play” is seen exclusively as entertainment, but the spectators who really love the series also appreciate the themes and philosophy that underlie it. They see how we want to have an impact among people, so that we are motivated to create a healthier and more solid society. This is what I felt through this project and what I hope will resonate with the public.
“I hope the spectators see the seed of hope”
“Weekend Adevărul”: Can you give us some information about what awaits us in season 3?
Lee Byung-Hun: In season 2, the narrative threads focused on various characters, preparing the land for season 3, when these stories reach the peak and culminate with a high dramatic intensity. You will not be disappointed.
Season 2 ends with the front man killing Jung-Bae and failing the rebellion organized by Gi-Hun. How does season 3 take place from the perspective of the man in front?
In season 3, Gi-Hun finally implemented the long ruminated decision to overturn the whole system. In-Ho resumes his original role in front and tries to stop him. Now the duel between the front man and Gi-Hun really begins.
Why does the man in front do not kill Gi-Hun and let him participate in the game?
It’s not about killing or saving it. Rather, I think that the ultimate goal of the man in front is to tear down the beliefs of Gi-Hun through a psychological battle of beliefs, creating a completely different game.
Lee Byung-Hun, in a role of angel and demon. Photo: Netflix
The front man changes and forces the rules of the game so that it is more enjoyable for VIPs. What does this say about him?
Over time the game is more enjoyable for VIPs, the front man seems to be even more unscrupulous and mercy, but I thought that it just emphasizes that, in the depths of his soul, the man in front has a trace of humanity.
How do you want the front man to stay in the public memory?
Due to the despair in which he struggled in the past, he had no choice but to participate in the game. Passing through all as a player, he remained tired and traumatized, which turned into a man without emotions, devoid of any hope for humanity. And so he became the man in front. In the week they were together, as they duel with Gi-Hun about their opposite beliefs, I hope there was a kind of change inside it. I hope the spectators will see this seed of hope.
