Director Hwang Dong-hyuk of Squid Game has opened up about the controversy surrounding the casting of Choi Seung Hyun (T.O.P), who joined the upcoming season despite past legal issues.

During a press conference for Squid Game Season 2 on August 1, Hwang discussed various aspects of the new season, including its changes and challenges. "It’s been over two years of work, and now with the trailer out, it feels real," Hwang said, sharing his excitement but also the pressure surrounding the new release.

He revealed that Squid Game Season 2 will see Lee Jung Jae’s character, Seong Gi-hun, return with a clear goal of ending the game and seeking revenge. "The biggest change is his purpose. In Season 1, he played to win money, but now he’s back for justice," Hwang explained.

Alongside returning stars like Lee Jung Jae and Lee Byung Hun, the new season will feature fresh faces such as Lim Si Wan, Kang Ha Neul, and T.OP..

However, the casting of Choi Seung Hyun sparked debate, due to his past involvement in a drug scandal. Hwang admitted, "I didn’t expect it to cause such a big controversy."

Hwang defended his decision, saying that the incident with Choi Seung Hyun happened years ago, and the actor had served his sentence. "I thought it was possible for him to make a comeback," Hwang shared. "But after seeing the public reaction, I realized my thinking may have been short-sighted."

Despite the backlash, Hwang emphasized that Choi Seung Hyun auditioned for the role and showed great effort and talent. "It wasn’t an easy decision, but after working closely with him, I believe he’s the best fit for the role," Hwang said.

There were also rumors that Squid Game stars Lee Jung Jae and Lee Byung Hun used personal connections to influence the casting. Hwang strongly rejected this, calling the accusation "unfair." He explained, "As a rookie director, I’ve had requests to cast certain people, but I’ve turned down most of them. I cast actors who were the best fit for the role, not based on personal relationships."

Squid Game Season 2 will follow Gi-hun as he returns to the deadly games to seek revenge, facing intense challenges and confrontations with new and familiar characters. The season will drop on Netflix on December 26, with Season 3 expected in 2025.

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It’s official—Good Partner is getting a second season!

On April 3, 2025, SBS confirmed the exciting news that Good Partner will return for Season 2.

However, fans will have to wait a little longer for more details as the production is still in its early stages.

SBS revealed, “While the production for Season 2 has been confirmed, the broadcast schedule, filming dates, and cast have not been finalized. We are still in discussions.”

Good Partner originally aired last September, and it quickly became a fan favorite. The drama follows Cha Eun Kyung (played by Jang Na Ra), a seasoned divorce lawyer, and rookie lawyer Han Yoo Ri (played by Nam Ji Hyun), who is new to handling divorce cases.

The series was a hit, with a peak viewership rating of 17.7% (Nielsen Korea, nationwide households).

Both Jang Na Ra and Nam Ji Hyun were praised for their performances, with Jang Na Ra receiving her first acting award after 23 years in the industry at the 2024 SBS Drama Awards, and Nam Ji Hyun taking home the Best Acting Award.

Now, with the news of Good Partner Season 2, fans are eagerly wondering if the original cast will return. Will Jang Na Ra and Nam Ji Hyun reprise their roles, or will new faces join the team? Lee Jong Suk, a close friend and fellow actor of Jang Na Ra, has expressed his excitement for the continuation of the series and fully supports his friend's success.

As discussions continue, fans are keeping their fingers crossed for the return of their favorite characters.

Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated season.

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