[INTERVIEW] From Hollywood to ‚Squid Game,‘ Lee Byung-hun’s career soars to new heights

Actor Lee Byung-hun poses previous to an interview with The Korea Instances at a restaurant in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Netflix

Lee Byung-hun, one of many first Korean actors to enterprise into Hollywood, is writing a brand new chapter in his profession with the Netflix collection „Squid Sport.“ Following the worldwide sensation of Season 1, the Season 2 has captured worldwide consideration, rating No. 1 in 93 international locations upon its launch.

The 54-year-old veteran actor, who performed the enigmatic Entrance Man in „Squid Sport,“ described the collection as reaching a „complete new degree of“ success, reflecting on his expertise in filming „G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra“ in 2009.

„Though I’ve starred in Hollywood blockbusters, folks did not acknowledge me as a lot as I assumed they’d. However with this Korean unique collection ‚Squid Sport,‘ created by Korean administrators, actors and colleagues, I really feel way more cherished and welcomed. It is fairly ironic,“ he mentioned throughout an interview with The Korea Instances at a restaurant in Seoul, Wednesday.

„After I visited the States (for ‚Squid Sport‘) and noticed so many followers gathered, I used to be bowled over. It introduced me a mixture of feelings, reminding me of the occasions after I first got here to Hollywood and was struggling.“

Lee confessed that he by no means anticipated his function in „Squid Sport“ to turn out to be such a world hit. Initially, he thought director Hwang Dong-hyuk was making „a extremely experimental drama.“

„It had a considerably unfamiliar format. Virtually all the drama was set in a studio, in a really fairy tale-like area, and everybody was carrying the identical inexperienced outfits. I assumed, ‚That is both going to be an enormous hit or a whole flop,'“ the actor mentioned.

Within the first season, Lee had a comparatively temporary function because the Entrance Man, a former Squid Sport winner turned mastermind behind the lethal video games. In Season 2, his involvement deepens as he disguises himself as Participant 001, along with his actual title, Hwang In-ho. His character goals to thwart Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who, after successful in Season 1, returns to the sport to save lots of the contestants and finish the sport for good.

Lee Byung-hun because the Entrance Man in „Squid Sport“ Season 2 / Courtesy of Netflix

Even with 34 years of appearing expertise and a fame as one in all Korea’s most proficient actors, Lee admitted that portraying the Entrance Man was no straightforward activity.

„Throughout the 11 months of filming, I contemplated on daily basis about how a lot I ought to take pleasure in myself as a participant and the way a lot I ought to fake to be tense and mentioned it with the director. It was a problem for me as an actor,“ Lee mentioned. „My private dilemma was tips on how to distribute the proportions of the three facets of this character: Participant 001, Hwang In-ho earlier than coming into this sport and the Entrance Man.“

He describes his character as somebody who has skilled a lot hardship that he has turn out to be „desensitized to the concept of life and loss of life.“ It isn’t the concern of the ruthless killing machine within the sport, however reasonably „his concern of the surface world“ that retains him trapped within the sport.

„Being wrongfully accused of fraud at work when attempting to pay for his pregnant spouse’s medical bills might need fueled the Entrance Man’s hatred for the world. The numerous deaths, betrayals and cruelty he witnessed within the sport seemingly solidified his want for revenge towards humanity,“ Lee defined.

Discussing his method to appearing, Lee emphasised the significance of understanding and believing within the script, including that he must be persuaded by its high quality earlier than committing to a venture.

„As soon as I totally perceive the script and it convinces me of its greatness, I determine to take it on. If I actually prefer it however there are elements I do not perceive or discover unconvincing, I maintain asking questions and looking for options till I attain a particular conclusion,“ he mentioned.

„I strive to verify everybody, or not less than the bulk, is satisfied in order that I can faithfully categorical it. As a result of, if I really feel I perceive all the things else about this work, however sure scenes don’t resonate with me, then I feel such scenes would possibly look faux.“