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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Jo Jung Suk is officially back—and fans of Hospital Playlist couldn’t be more excited.

In the preview for episode 10 of Resident Playbook, aired by tvN on May 10, Jo Jung Suk’s character Lee Ik Jun is shown walking through a dimly lit hospital, saying, “It’s been so long since I came here.”

The short scene sparked immediate buzz online, especially when he’s seen holding hands with a woman—whose face is hidden. Many viewers are now asking: Is it Chae Song Hwa?

Although her identity isn’t revealed, fans are hopeful that the woman is Jeon Mi Do, who played Chae Song Hwa in Hospital Playlist.

Earlier announcements confirmed that both Jo Jung Suk and Jeon Mi Do would make appearances in Resident Playbook, fueling speculation that the beloved duo is finally reuniting on screen.

The teaser quickly became a hot topic, helping the drama maintain its upward momentum. Resident Playbook—a spin-off of the hit series Hospital Playlist—has been gaining strong viewership, with its latest episode setting new personal ratings records.

The show has consistently ranked No. 1 in its time slot across all channels, showing that fans are deeply invested in the lives and growth of the young doctors at the center of the story.

As the series continues to mix heartwarming guest appearances with its own emotional stories, viewers are now eagerly waiting for episode 10, airing May 11 at 9:20 PM KST, to see what’s next.

Will the “99s” finally reunite? Tune in to find out!

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