• Former BIGBANG's T.O.P Joins 'Squid Game 2' in a Key Role, but His Scene is Left Unfinished Amid Drug Scandal

    The highly anticipated second season of Squid Game has unveiled the characters, including the newly joined former BIGBANG member, T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun), whose role comes with some surprising twists.

    On December 5, Netflix released new character introduction videos and nine posters for Squid Game 2, which features major characters and their participant numbers. The upcoming season centers around the intense clash between Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung Jae), who returns for revenge, and the Frontman (played by Lee Byung Hun), setting the stage for a new deadly game.

    The character posters, showing the game participants just before entering the competition, highlight Gi-hun’s serious expression, signaling a more intense version of his character compared to season 1. While the other participants are all smiling, filled with hope for winning big money, their bright faces contrast sharply with the ominous tension looming ahead.

    New participants include Lim Si-wan as Myung-ki, a cryptocurrency YouTuber (participant 333), Kang Ha-neul as Dae-ho (participant 388), and Lee Jin-wook as Gyeong-seok (participant 246), a father who needs money for his sick daughter. These characters, along with others like Park Seong-hoon’s Hyun-joo, a transgender participant needing surgery money, add layers of complexity and emotional depth to the game’s high-stakes narrative.

    While the character reveals have fans eagerly awaiting the season’s release, T.O.P’s involvement in the drama has raised eyebrows. Known for his past legal controversies related to marijuana use, T.O.P plays a character named Tanos, a rapper and runner-up from a hip-hop survival show.

    However, his scenes were reportedly left incomplete due to ongoing fallout from his past issues. This has led to speculation about how his character will be portrayed, given the sensitive nature of his real-life controversies.

    The character introduction video also features insights from the cast, including Lee Jung Jae, who shared, “Gi-hun’s biggest motivation for change was realizing he had to change himself. That was the driving force for his transformation in season 2.” Lee Byung Hun, who plays the Frontman, mentioned, “The Frontman’s goal is to break Gi-hun’s beliefs,” setting up an epic conflict between the two.

    Other new characters include Jeong-bae (played by Lee Seo Hwan), who reconnects with Gi-hun after a long time, and Jun-hee (played by Jo Yu Ri), who loses everything due to poor investment advice. These characters are expected to contribute to the drama’s unpredictable twists.

    As director Hwang Dong-hyuk notes, "The backstories of these characters will add a lot of drama and excitement to the series."

    With the addition of new faces like Cha Gook-hee as a shaman and new participant Tanos, Squid Game 2 promises a thrilling season filled with complex personalities and shocking turns. Fans can look forward to the release of the show on December 26, exclusively on Netflix.

    Source (1)

  • Lee Kyung Gyu secretly helped Hong Jin Kyung debut on TV and she didn’t even know for years

    Lee Kyung Gyu's star-making influence goes beyond Kang Ho Dong, as Hong Jin Kyung shares how he helped her kickstart her career.

    On the April 24 episode of KBS 2TV’s Problem Child in House, legendary comedian Lee Kyung Gyu appeared as a guest—and a touching story from the past was revealed.

    Hong Jin Kyung surprised everyone when she said, “He’s the teacher for all of us. Personally, he’s the one who helped me debut.” She even pinned a carnation flower on his chest to show her gratitude.

    Lee Kyung Gyu smiled and said, “I still remember when Hong Jin Kyung walked up the stairs onto the stage for the first time.”

    Hong Jin Kyung then shared her journey to becoming a star. “I joined a supermodel contest, but only the top 3 winners were noticed in broadcasting. I got a special prize, so I had no chance to be on TV."

    She continued, "At first, I was just a backup for a show. But somehow, I became a regular the next week. I never knew why."

    She added, "I thought the PD gave me a shot. But then one day, I randomly met Kyung Gyu sunbae, and he told me it was actually him who recommended me.”

    Kim Sook asked with a smile, “So Kyung Gyu sunbae said nice things about you to the PD?”

    Lee Kyung Gyu playfully replied, “Don’t say it in such a childish way,” making everyone laugh.

    He then explained more seriously, “The show was Scoop TV Entertainment, and I was pretty much the main MC. When Jin Kyung showed up, I saw her determination and passion."

    He added, "While others didn’t seem serious, she really stood out. I told the PD, ‘She seems unique. Why not keep her on the show?’”

    Kim Jong Kook chimed in, “So if the main MC said that, doesn’t that mean you basically got her in?”

    That made Lee Kyung Gyu happy. He grinned and replied, “Exactly! You speak well. Be like him!”

    He added, “After that, Jin Kyung’s career took off. She started doing shows with Lee Young Ja and just kept going.”

    Fans are now calling Lee Kyung Gyu not only a top MC, but also a quiet star-maker behind the scenes!

    Source: [1]