- Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Ha-joon’s portrayal of Hwang Jun-ho, a detective seeking his missing brother, was a key part of the Netflix series’ massive popularity
By: India Weekly
WI HA-JOON, the actor who became internationally recognised for his role in “Squid Game,” shares that the immense success of the series has brought both pressure and motivation.
The 33-year-old actor, known for his roles in various K-dramas, says his responsibility as an actor has grown with his global recognition.
Ha-joon’s portrayal of Hwang Jun-ho, a detective seeking his missing brother, was a key part of the Netflix series’ massive popularity.
“Squid Game” became one of the most-watched shows on the platform after its release in 2021. In season two, Ha-joon’s character, initially introduced as a determined investigator, returns but with a new role as a demoted traffic cop.
“Because the first season of ‘Squid Game’ became such a big success, I did feel a lot of pressure. Jun-ho is featured a lot in episode one and two (of the second season), so I thought Jun-ho is responsible for opening the show and I have to perform well. Jun Ho is a character I love, so I was happy to be back as him,” Ha-joon said in an interview with PTI from Seoul.
“As I become more and more known to the global audiences, I believe my responsibility as a person and actor increases and this is a great motivation for me,” he added.
In “Squid Game 2,” Lee Jung-jae’s Seong Gi-hun returns to the games, aiming to uncover the truth behind the deadly competition. Ha-joon’s character, who learned in the first season that his missing brother is part of the organization behind the games, reunites with Gi-hun in the new season.
Ha-joon also discussed the recurring theme of social inequality in Korean media, noting the impact of the country’s painful history on storytelling.
“Korea had to go through a lot of painful experiences like losing independence to Japan, Korean (civil) war, industrialisation and democratisation. And the social and economic injustices and unfairness that people had to go through, led to the pain in their daily lives and that became the background for the success of (such) Korean stories,” he explained.
When asked about what he would do if he won the 45.6 billion won prize featured in the show, Ha-joon said, “Honestly, in Korea and around the globe, there are many heart-wrenching stories I am hearing so I would love to help those in need with the money.”
Ha-joon also expressed interest in working with international creators, including those from India. “Of course, I would love to visit India if there is an opportunity,” he said.
“Squid Game 2” also stars Lee Byung-Hun, Yim Si-Wan, Kang Ha-Neul, Park Gyu-Young, Park Sung-Hoon, and Jo Yu-Ri.
