Top star for 27 years, Lee Jung-jae experienced a shock in the U.S: “Many L.A pedestrians said hi to me”

“Of course, I’m going to be there for season 2. Ki-hoon will come back and do something for the world.”  

It was a wonderful night. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, the maker of Netflix series’ best-ever “Squid Game” which was watched by 140 million households around the world, and actors Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, and Jung Ho-yeon, who played the last three survivors, showed their appreciation towards fans and even threw in a little snippet of the season 2 production.

Director Hwang said at an event in LA on the night of Nov 8th (local time), “There was too much pressure, demand, and love for Season 2. It feels like we don’t have a choice,” he said, officializing the production of Season 2.

Season 1 ended when Sung Ki-hoon (played by Lee Jung-jae), the main character who won 45.6 billion won in prize money, left the airport while he was on the way to meet his daughter in the U.S. Frontman (played by Lee Byung-hun) said, “Get on the plane right now,” but Ki-hoon refused. It was the ending that implied there might be a second “Squid Game” challenge.

Director Hwang said, “Season 2 is already in my head now. It is currently still in the conceptual stage. I think it’s too early to say when and how the sequel will come out, but I can promise that Ki-hoon (the main character) will return and do something for the world,” he said.

The three actors, who are an essential part of the success of “Squid Game,” were surprised that as soon as they stepped into the U.S., everyone recognizes them. Jung Ho-yeon, who played Kang Sae-byeok, said, “I met my first fan when I arrived at the L.A Airport. The Airport immigration officers even asked me for an autograph”. Park Hae-soo, who played Cho Sang-woo, said, “I have decided to create an Instagram account to communicate with the world.”

Lee Jung-jae, who debuted with the movie “The Young Man” in 1994 and has become a households name in Korea as SBS’ “Sandglass” became sensational in 1995, finally became a world-class star through “Squid Game” 27 years after his debut.

Lee Jung-jae, who is so famous that it’s difficult for him to walk bare-faced in Korea, was shy that people all around the world now recognize him in just about a month after “Squid Game” was released. 

He said, “It’s amazing. People just walk by and say “Hello” to me. I don’t know how to respond to all this love. It’s very cool to be able to meet fans who love and watch this drama so much,” he said.

Director Hwang and the actors replied to the growing interest around the world, including Hollywood in the U.S., saying, “My dream is to work in Hollywood someday.”