Free pass for special drug crime and ‘degree’
news/cms/202411/14/news-p.v1.20241114.b54f3ad5e3c947b2a6f0459a97ff9b53_R.jpg" data-width="600" data-height="380" /> Enlarge photo ‘Squid Game 2’ introduced by director Hwang Dong-hyuk. Photo I Netflix
Season 2 of director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s ‘Squid Game’ has begun full-scale promotion ahead of its release in December. As expected from Netflix’s global content, everything it presents, including trailers, character stills, and teasers, is a hot topic. Director Hwang, who is sitting on the throne, seems to be having a lot of fun. He didn’t even realize how absurd he had said. After some time has passed, when the glory days are over, will you look back on yourself?
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk expressed his position on various controversies surrounding the work at a press conference for the Netflix K series ‘Squid Game Season 2’ held in Seoul last August. Above all, Director Hwang’s remarks surrounding the casting of T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun), a ‘drug convict‘ who attracted the most attention, were creepy.
In ‘Squid Game 2’, which has grown in size by a cut, a large number of ‘new faces’ including actors Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, and Gong Yoo, who were active in the previous season, as well as Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Yang Dong-geun, and Oh Dal-su, have joined. However, Park Sung-hoon and Lee Jin-wook are in the same agency as Lee Byung-hun, and Choi Seung-hyun (Top), who was cast in question, is also close to him, so some have raised rumors of ‘friendship’ or ‘connection casting’. (The casting of Oh Dal-su, who had been criticized due to controversy over his private life, was also not satisfactory.)
I’m not just talking about the audition results, but how many actors wanted to audition for this highly anticipated work around the world? The question is whether any friendship (introduction) had any influence on the entire process leading up to meeting Director Hwang.
Regarding this, Director Hwang said, “When I was a new director, I only once casted an actor at the request of someone else, and I regretted it so much. Since then, it has become my principle and philosophy to never do that type of casting. “Most people are discovered through auditions,” he emphasized.
Regarding the casting of Choi Seung-hyun, who received the most criticism and rejection from the public, “(The drug charges) have already been filed.” It’s been quite a whileand the sentence has already been handed down When the probation period endsall. After that, start working again.“I thought I could do it,” he said, adding that he had no idea it would be controversial.
![Mr. Yoo Ah-in, please participate in Hwang Dong-hyuk’s return show.[연예기자24시] – Star Today](https://pimg.mk.co.kr/news/cms/202411/14/news-p.v1.20241114.dbc430bd2f80475dbc8dcf4214600626_P1.jpg "Mr. Yoo Ah-in, please participate in Hwang Dong-hyuk’s return show.[연예기자24시] – Star Today")
news/cms/202411/14/news-p.v1.20241114.dbc430bd2f80475dbc8dcf4214600626_R.jpg" data-width="550" data-height="500" /> Enlarge photo Stars forced to return after drug and drunk driving scandals. Photo I Star Today DB
I never thought Director Hwang’s awareness and tolerance for drug crimes would be this high. The perception is that even if you commit a crime, if you have the talent, it is possible to come back as long as you complete the legal period. While dealing with the public, ignoring the public’s reaction, let alone a sincere apology to the public. Thanks to Director Hwang’s extraordinary open mind, Choi Seung-hyun was able to make a spectacular comeback. There are many more talented ‘ex-crime’ artists than that, so more will come back in the future.
However, conscious of the criticism from those around him, he said, “Many more people expressed concerns than I expected, so I thought, ‘It may have been a little wrong,’ or ‘It was a little short.’” After thinking about it for a while, I worked hard to ‘verify’ it. The criteria are strong will, audition participation, effort, talent, and courage. Director Hwang expressed confidence in Choi Seung-hyun, who passed his verification show, saying, “After the work is released, you will understand why I insisted on casting Choi Seung-hyun.”
Of course, anyone can make mistakes. Nevertheless, the reason why many people expressed displeasure at Choi Seung-hyun’s return is that the biggest reason is his ‘drug record’ (he was sentenced to 10 months in prison and 2 years of probation for smoking marijuana four times, twice for cigarettes and twice for liquid form). , In addition to this, he has never made a proper apology, and he himself said, ‘I will not make a comeback in Korea.’ The fact that he did not hesitate to announce his retirement, saying, “I don’t want to make a comeback,” and the fact that he still cannot be free from “suspicion of casting through personal connections” because he does not have enough talent or experience as an “actor,” are also reasons. If we talk about ‘talent’ as a reluctance that is different from the realm of ‘talent’, since when did he become an irreplaceable actor?
Nevertheless, the industry’s reality, which must accept this as the most important principle and philosophy of the leader and the standard for judgment, is only bleak. Isn’t this why they continue to be criticized for taking sides in the entertainment industry, protecting their own family, bad habits of focusing on personal connections and friendships, and lack of responsibility and conscience? Unfortunately, it has become more difficult to expect the industry to purify itself. Even now, news of uncomfortable returns after accidents is heard every day and is expected to continue in the future.
However, regarding the theme of Season 2, Director Hwang said, “I wanted to depict the conflicts that occur around the world, such as dividing sides and drawing lines, that define, distinguish, and attack each other,” and added, “We have the power to change the world that is getting worse.” “I wanted to create a story that asks questions such as ‘Is this possible?’ and ‘Are we capable of that?’” he explained.
It was a dramatic story about how there was hope and increased the number of games we could play for each other, and we were confident that we would surpass ‘Season 1’. Just don’t talk about social satire, criticism, messages of hope, or inspiration. Even though a drama is just a drama, it cannot be this bitter. PS, is it okay to have a sex crime record? Oh, that already exists…
