LEE BYUNG-HUN ON 'SQUID GAME': 'IT BECAME UNIVERSAL WHEN WE BEGAN TO DOUBT WHETHER THERE IS TRULY HUMANITY LEFT IN THIS WORLD.'

The universal appeal of Squid Game is explained by Korean superstar Lee Byung-hun, whom I got to interview in Seoul one-on-one, during the world premiere of Season 2 of the mega Netflix hit.

- MONIQUE TODA

He plays the Front Man, one of the main characters.

Byung-hun is a multi-awarded top-tier Korean actor with numerous movies and dramas under his belt. My personal favorites are Mr. Sunshine, A Bittersweet Life, The Man Standing Next, Once in a Summer, Iris and Our Blues. Let's say that I am more than just familiar with his work.

I stumbled upon Squid Game when it came out in 2021, before I found out how overwhelming the reaction would become globally. The title caught my eye. I watched all nine episodes straight. I was shocked, then amazed, and it made me think deeply about the good and the bad in humanity. Aside from all the brutality and greed, though, kindness prevailed. However, a line from Player 001 O Il-nam stuck in my head. "Life is not worth living, is not fun, for the very rich and the very poor." He goes on to explain that Squid Game was created to entertain the very jaded, very bored super rich.

In the interview, I asked Lee Byung-hun about his character and introspective questions on Squid Game.

PHILIPPINE STAR: Squid Game exposes the bad, but also the good in human nature. In season two, what are the prevailing good and bad characteristics of your role as the Front Man? In your opinion, is Front Man, the good or the bad guy? Why?