Kim Sung Cheol replaced Yoo Ah In after the latter was fired over his drug scandal.
The second season of Netflixthe famous K-Drama series, Infernalwas revealed on October 25, 2024, amidst much interest in how Season 1 lead actor, Yoo Ah insidehe would be replaced after he was sentenced to prison.
Actor Kim Sung CheolBest known for his roles in the hit K-Dramas (but also for the song “Tiramisu Cake”), he took on the role of Jung Jin Soo, a cult leader who “dies” at the end of the first season and resurrected in the second season. -is said to serve as the reason for the obvious change in Jung Jin Soo’s appearance.
The long-awaited release got off to a good start, earning positive reviews from both viewers and critics.
That said, viewers watched refilmed versions of Yoo Ah In’s most impactful scenes from season 1. A tweet showing a side-by-side comparison between Yoo Ah In’s original version and Kim Sung Cheol’s has gone viral, capturing the differences in the two actors’ interpretations of the character. Infernal.
Inferno 2 Jeong Jin-su (Kim Seong-cheol) ↔ Inferno 1
Acting scene comparison (2): A scene in which a person is depicted sitting directly in a chair. pic.twitter.com/wOyGWtaFYA— ស្រ្រ្រ្រ្រ្រ្រ្រ្រ្រ្រ្រ្រ្រ្រ្រ្រ្រ្រ រ្រ្្រ្រ្រ្ (@ehayo1on9) October 25, 2024
Reactions, based on comments in online communities like theqooshowed a deep divide between viewers who preferred Yoo Ah In’s acting over Kim Sung Cheol’s. Some commented that Jung Jin Soo’s version of Yoo Ah In was now considered irreplaceable, while others commented that Kim Sung Cheol did an incredible job given the situation.
- “I liked the way Kim Sung Cheol plays the character. It felt more genuine, haha.
- “We don’t make comparisons. Kim Sung Cheol’s acting was fine.”
- “Wasn’t Kim Sung Cheol called halfway through filming after Yoo Ah In’s case became public? Considering the situation, I think Kim Sung Cheol did a great job.”
- “Yoo Ah In is good, I can’t disagree… Why did he have to be a drug addict?”
- “Kim Sung Cheol’s version sounds like musical theater.”
- “Yoo Ah In’s acting is better… Too bad he was a drug addict.”
A significant amount of comments were hostile, highlighting the comparison between Kim Sung Cheol and Kim Sung Cheol “a drug addict” era “unfair,” and condemning Yoo Ah In for his criminal charge, as well as those who preferred Yoo Ah In’s acting “supporting a criminal”.
- “Since it’s the same character, I think Yoo Ah In’s version was raw and really crazy. Kim Sung Cheol’s performance wasn’t that dramatic. It left me wanting more.
- “Kim Sung Cheol’s acting seems very theatrical. Yoo Ah In seems methodical. For InfernalI think Yoo Ah In was better.
- “Yoo Ah In didn’t have an irreplaceable talent in acting. It was a drug-fueled craze, LOL. Don’t give him so much credit.
- “Why do we compare a drug addict to someone who isn’t? Yoo Ah In is a criminal and we will never see him again. We’re trying to see if we can give him a chance to come back?
- “Doping fueled Yoo Ah In’s acting, so…”
- “Kim Sung Cheol was great, but Yoo Ah In looked really crazy. He was an incredible actor, I have to admit that.”
Regardless, Kim Sung Cheol said in the press conference that it simply was “happy to portray” Jung Jin Soo in season 2, regardless of the success of season 1.
I’m also a fan of Infernal Season 1. I really liked it. So, I’ve always wanted to work with director Yeon Sang Ho, and I’m happy that we were able to collaborate for the second season. Jung Jin Soo’s character really attracted me and I was happy to play him.
—Kim Sung Cheol
It will be the second season of Infernal Can you get past the first one? Watch the official trailer here to decide: