The second season of The Squid Game (Squid Game) brought with it significant challenges for both the protagonists and the production team, cementing its reputation as one of the most ambitious productions in Netflix.
Among the many complex scenes, the filming of the “Six Leg Pentathlon” stood out as the most challenging, according to statements by the South Korean actor Lee Byung Hunwho plays In-ho, also known as the Front Man.
The competition involved participants playing six consecutive minigamesstarting with the traditional Ddakji and ending with a hacky sackall while they had their ankles tied together.
This dynamic was designed to reflect collaboration and collective spirit, a contrast within the tense and competitive context of the series. However, filming presented considerable challenges due to the size of the set and the environmental conditions.
The scene brought together 360 players and 150 members of the technical team in an enclosed space covered in gravel, which, although reminiscent of a children’s playground, also generated dense dust.
Lee Byung Hun He recalled how the conditions affected everyone on set: “Every time a group completed a lap, The set was completely filled with dust, and it was difficult to breathe”. The recording of the episode lasted for more than two weeks, during which time most of the team suffered respiratory problems.
“As soon as I said ‘cut,’ everyone started coughingincluding me,” he revealed Hwang Dong-hyukdirector of The squid game.
Another crucial moment for Lee Byung Hun “It was leaving his interpretation of the character behind.”Yong-il”, an alias created by Front Man to infiltrate the games. This dramatic turn, revealed in episode three, became a focal point for the actor.
“When I first read the script and got to that part, I felt instant chills”, he admitted. The complexity of interpreting three facets of the same character —Front Man, In-ho y Yong-il— was a significant challenge in his artistic career.
Byung-hun noted, “My main focus was control how to display each aspect in scenesmaking sure every nuance was present.”
The protagonist, Gi-Hunperformed by Lee Jung-jaereturns to the deadly games with a clear objective: destroy the system from within.
This turn in the narrative marks a significant change in the development of the character, who is deeply affected by guilt and the impossibility of resuming a normal life after his victory as the player 456.
“In season 1 of Squid Gamethere was room to show glimpses of Gi-hun’s optimistic and energetic character. This time, the focus is on your determination“, explained Jung-jae, according to statements collected by Tudum of Netflix.
One of the most surprising moments of this season occurs in the third episode, when it is revealed that the enigmatic Front Manleader of the games, has entered the competition as the participant 001.
The character, whose name is Young-ilbecomes a strategic ally of Gi-Hun in his attempt to rebel against the system. However, this alliance is marked by ideological tensions, since both characters maintain opposite visions about humanity and the world.
“The Front Man is someone who believes that there is no hope for the world or humanitywhile Gi-hun hopes otherwise.. “It’s like they’re betting against each other,” he said. Lee Byung Hun in statements collected by the media.
The end of this second season leaves several questions unanswered and establishes a starting point for the next episodes.
“He has failed to convince the people through voting. He then failed in his attempt to use physical force to rebel.”explained the creator. “How much pain will he be able to endure?”
“The question that remains is whether Gi-hun still believes he can achieve the collapse of the game, or if he will give up and become someone else, someone like the Front Man who believes the world can’t change”, Hwang posed for Tudum.
