Im Si-wan, who plays Lee Myung-gi in the second season of the Netflix drama series “Squid Game” (written and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk), attended an interview with reporters at a bar in Jongno-gu , Seoul.
– Did you have any connection with BIGBANG during your idol days? What was it like working with TOP (Choi Seung-hyun)?
▶ At that time, BIGBANG was the celebrity among celebrities. Backstage, the groups had separate waiting rooms and it was rare to even see BIGBANG. Simply walking by and saying hello seemed like a big deal. There was even a moment where Kwanghee said, “I think BIGBANG noticed your outfit.” (laughs) TOP and I shot action scenes together, so we trained in an action school. During one scene we were both in the air doing a stunt, and that’s when TOP broke a rib. Despite the pain, he continued filming. I’ve already had a rib fracture while training with Choo Sung-hoon, so I know how painful it is: it’s hard to even breathe properly. I thought the filming should have stopped, but he continued. It made me realize the dedication of someone who is truly a “celebrity among celebrities”.
– You also appeared with G-Dragon in a variety show.
▶ Even though we are the same age, he is someone who has led and influenced the culture. Looking at it it seems like we are witnessing another world. He carries a certain weight because of his position and I deeply respect him for putting up with that.
– Why did you decide to appear on a variety show after a long time?
▶ It wasn’t about doing a variety show; it was more about the respect I have for someone like G-Dragon, who has experienced and achieved so much more socially and culturally. This respect motivated me.
– What do you think of TOP’s acting, which received mixed reviews?
▶ Acting is always subject to personal interpretation. Negative opinions are understandable. I just thought I couldn’t play Thanos. Even the rap scene, I would never try that. It’s something only someone capable can do. If I tried, I’d probably quit all social media and hide in the mountains before the show aired.
– Your character is a cryptocurrency YouTuber. Do you have any real investing experience?
▶ I have had some investment experience. It is important to keep up with the rapidly changing times, but my achievements have not been as successful as Myung-gi’s ambitions. I’ve never been a YouTuber, so I prepared myself by watching YouTube to understand the nuances and emotions of the show.
Meanwhile, “Squid Game 2” continues the intense story of Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae), who returns in search of revenge, and the fierce confrontation with Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun) as the true protagonists of the game. take up again.
After the success of the first season, the second season became a global phenomenon. According to Netflix’s Top 10 Tudum website, “Squid Game 2” recorded 58.2 million views (total viewing hours divided by duration) from December 30, 2024 to January 5, ranking it No. 1 in the global Top 10 series for both English and non-English women. shows. It appeared in the Top 10 of 93 countries and reached seventh place among Netflix’s most popular non-English series of all time in its first week. By its eleventh day, it had garnered 126.2 million views, making it the second most-watched series in Netflix history after the first season.
Im Si-wan’s character, Lee Myung-gi, is a cryptocurrency YouTuber chasing quick riches, only to ruin not only his own finances but those of many others. In the game arena, he faces pressure from Thanos (played by T.O.P.) and Nam-gyu (played by Roh Jae-won) while meeting his ex-girlfriend Jun-hee (played by Jo Yu-ri), leading to relationships complex and emotional tensions.
