Squid Game’s Park Sung-hoon has been forced to apologise after sharing an ‘adult’ version of the Netflix series.
The second season of the incredibly popular Netflix show arrived on the streaming platform on Boxing Day (26 December).
As well as Lee Jung-jae returning to the role of Gi-hun, who is hellbent on destroying the Squid Games once and for all, the new series features some new contestants.
Amongst the new additions to the show, which include former K-pop musicians, T.O.P from BigBang, ZE:A’s Yim Si-wan, and Iz*One’s Jo Yuri, is Park, who plays Hyun-Ju in the show.
Hyun-Ju is a transgender woman and former Marine, who enters the Squid Games to pay for gender-affirming surgery.
However, the actor has faced a considerable amount of criticism after sharing an explicit image from a porn parody of Squid Game on his social media.
Park Sung-hoon plays the character of Hyun-Ju, a transgender woman (Netflix)
On his Instagram Stories, Park shared the DVD cover of a Japanese porn film called ‘Squirt Game’ – however, it was swiftly deleted.
In South Korea, distribution of pornographic material is a felony and can result in a one-year prison sentence and a fine.
Some fans initially believed that his account had been hacked, according to Pink News, however, the timing supposedly accentuated the criticism as Korea JoongAng reports that it was apparently posted as the country entered in a seven-day mourning period for the Jeju Air plane crash which occurred on Sunday (29 December).
Park shared the DVD cover on his Instagram Stories (Instagram/@boxabum)
Some took to Twitter to voice their opinion on the situation, with a few claiming he should be removed from his upcoming TV series, The Tyrant’s Chef, Dexerto reports.
Park’s representative agency, BH Entertainment, has since released a statement to issue an apology.
They wrote: “Actor Park accidentally posted the image, which he received in a direct message, by mistakenly pressing the wrong button.
“The actor himself was also very shocked. He is deeply sorry for making such a mistake in these circumstances and promises to be especially careful to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
Park Sung-Hoon apologised via his agency (iMBC via Getty Images)
Park’s casting as a transgender woman also faced some backlash, as many social media users criticised the decision since the actor is a cisgender man.
However, Squid Games’ creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, said to TV Guide that he’d anticipated this ‘discussion’ when creating the character, adding: “In the beginning we were doing our research, and I was thinking of doing an authentic casting of a trans actor.
“When we researched in Korea, there are close to no actors [who] are openly trans, let alone openly gay, because unfortunately in Korean society the LGBTQ+ community is still marginalised and more neglected, which is heart-breaking.”
Netflix also confirmed that they had worked with trans and LGBTQ+ consultants when creating the second season, NBC News reports.
LADbible has contacted Park’s representatives and Netflix for comment.
The creator of Squid Game has weighed in on whether viewers sticking on the second season of the hit show should be watching with subtitles, or should go with the dubbed version.
When the release of the first season of the Netflix show came in 2021, whether to watched subbed or dubbed was a hot topic of debate.
The Korean series focuses on a group of 456 contestants all competing for a life-changing sum of money by taking part in deadly twists on childhood games
Though fairly unheralded prior to its release, Squid Game exploded with interest, leading to it becoming Netflix’s most viewed series ever.
LADbible spoke exclusively to the show’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, and asked whether those watching the show should enjoy it in the original Korean with subtitles, or watch it with voice actors dubbing over the lines in English.
Dong-hyuk said: “You know, as people growing up here in Korea, we are very used to watching American or British or overseas films with subtitles.
“So we’re very used to that. But I think a lot of the English speaking countries, they’re not as used to watching other content with subtitles.
“For Squid Game, it’s going to be there’s the dubbed version and the sub version as well.
Squid Game is returning for season two (Netflix)
“I suggest for those of you out there to really get the essence of the actual actors voices and the nuances of their tones, I suggest watching it with subtitles on. I think it’s going to be for a better viewing experience.”
We also spoke to the show’s lead, Lee Jung-jae, who is returning for season two. When posed with the same question but answering from an actor’s perspective, he shared the same view as Dong-hyuk.
He said: “I think I would rather the viewers to watch it with subtitles, because when you watch it with dubbed, then I don’t think it conveys the authenticity of my performance to the fullest.
“You have to really listen to the voice of the actor, and the accent and the emotions and everything are really compiled into the voice of the actor.
“So yeah, I think it’s a better way to really immerse yourself into the character and into the story.”
Season two releases on Boxing Day (Netflix)
When asking Jung-jae about the criticism that the show’s second season has been ‘Americanised’, he said: “Hearing this, and we just actually tried our very best to create an amazing season two, because we know that there is so much love and support from the fans of season one, but maybe you thought it looked a little bit Hollywood?
“Well, that was not our intention, but we just wanted to create a really amazing season two, and we try to perfect every episode and every cut that is in the episode. So that’s what I can tell you about.”
The new season of Squid Game is just around the corner, and the show’s lead actor has responded to the idea that clips released of the show seem ‘Americanised’.
Lee Jung-jae, who plays Seong Gi-hun aka player 456, returns for season two as the lead actor once again.
The show has hundreds of poor ‘contestants’ compete to earn a life changing sum of money by taking part in deadly twists on childhood games.
The series was a huge hit, becoming the most watched show in Netflix’s history, beating Wednesday and even Stranger Things.
Despite this, where the show once came out of nowhere to dominate 2021, it is now a cultural touchstone before season two comes out, and with it comes added expectation and criticism.
Speaking exclusively to LADbible, Jung-jae clarified his thoughts on the idea from viewers that the second season has deviated from its Korean routes and become ‘Americanised’.
Lee Jung-jae has returned for season two (Netflix)
He said: “We just actually tried our very best to create an amazing season two, because we know that there is so much love and support from the fans of season one, but maybe you thought it looked a little bit Hollywood?
“Well, that was not our intention, but we just wanted to create a really amazing season two, and we try to perfect every episode and every cut that is in the episode. So that’s what I can tell you about”.
The second season releases on Boxing Day this year, and is hotly anticipated.
The show’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, returns to write the second season and spoke to LADbible about the MrBeast Squid Game YouTube video.
The main criticism levied at MrBeast’s video is that, according to Vice’s Gita Jackson in 2021, it displayed a ‘fundamental problem’ with YouTube.
The article continued: “There is no shortage of people who make original art and put it online, but the internet is dominated instead by people who can take advantage of existing properties and fan bases.”
Hwang Dong-hyuk also addressed MrBeast’s own version of Squid Game (Mr Beast via YouTube)
Regarding the idea that MrBeast may have ripped off and misunderstood the concept of the show, Dong-hyuk said: “I don’t think so. In fact, I think that, as a whole, is the message of Squid Game.
“You know the themes of the Squid Games is about the capitalist society, where everything is commoditised and everything is calculated with money.”
He went on to say: “I want to say here that the series of Squid Game is not created to enlighten or awaken anybody.
“It is a product that is created to generate revenue, right?
“Having said that, to have people watch a show like that, to recreate the game on their own, make their own versions, I think all of it is very much in line with the capitalist society that is depicted in Squid Game.”
Squid Game season two releases on Netflix, December 26.
The creator of Squid Game has hinted that season two is set to feature games ‘darker and more brutal’ than in the first season.
The hit show’s second season is set to release on boxing day this year, following up on the mega-success of the show’s first outing.
Squid Game released to minimal fanfare, before going on to become the most watched single season in the history of Netflix, beating out any season of Stranger Things, Money Heist, and Wednesday.
A feature of the show is the contestants of the titular Squid Games being forced to play through brutal and fatal version of childhood games.
We spoke exclusively to the show’s creator who hinted that the second season’s games are going to be even more brutal than those in season one.
Hwang Dong-hyuk, who created Squid Game and wrote season two, said: “Well, I can’t give you any particular details because of spoilers, so I can’t say for sure.
“But, rather than singling out a particular game, what I can say is that, like in season one, all of the games that you’re going to see in season two come from games that I actually played as a kid growing up.
The show’s creator hinted at a darker season two (Mike Coppola via Getty Images)
“They’re either a direct version of that or an adjusted modified version of that, and some of them are going to be individual games.
“Some will need for people to team up.
“What I can say for sure is that compared to season one, it’s going to be greater in scale. It’s going to be more intriguing.
“Some games are going to be more comical than ones you’ve seen in the past, and some are going to be even darker and more brutal than what you’ve seen in season one.
“There’s going to be a greater amount of entertaining factors, a huge range of experiences.
“It’s going to give you some really extremely sad, heartbreaking moments.
Squid Game is returning for season two (Netflix)
“I can say with confidence that you are going to be in for a wilder, more exciting emotional roller coaster than before”.
Looking forward to season two, we also asked Dong-hyuk whether he had any preference of non-Korean speakers watching the show dubbed in English, or in the original Korean with English subtitles.
He said: “You know, as people growing up here in Korea, we are very used to watching American or British or overseas films with subtitles.
“So we’re very used to that. But I think a lot of the English speaking countries, they’re not as used to watching other content with subtitles.
“For Squid Game, it’s going to be there’s the dubbed version and the sub version as well. And I suggest for those of you out there to really get the essence of the actual actor’s voices and the nuances of their tones.
“I suggest watching it with subtitles on I think it’s going to be for a better viewing experience.”
Squid Game season two releases on Netflix December 26
Here we go… Netflix has finally shared a first look at Squid Game season two and we can’t wait. Check it out:
For those unaware, the premise for the first season of the South Korean Netflix series is pretty straight forward.
456 players who are in major financial ruin compete against one other in a selection of deadly children’s games for a prize of 45.6 billion won – roughly around £23.2 million.
If you don’t win or decide that you want to leave the competition, well, you’re brown bread.
It’s basically survival of the fittest, and there’s no room for error.
Netflix
Hwang Dong-hyuk, who directed the show, previously spoke to Associated Press about the unbelievable reception that season one received, and the desire among fans around the world to see more.
As far as confirmations go, the director said in 2021: “So, there’s been so much pressure, so much demand, and so much love for a second season. So I almost feel like you leave us no choice.
“But, I will say there will indeed be a second season. It’s in my head right now. I’m in the planning process currently. But I do think it’s too early to say when and how that’s going to happen.”
Netflix
Now, taking to social media today, Netflix has revealed a first look at the new series, set to air this year.
And viewers have well and truly lapped it up, with one writing: “I can’t wait!”.
Another commented: “I’m here for Squid Game,” as a third added: “Squid Game is gonna be wild.”
This comes after Netflix’s announcement in December that it’s casting a new bunch of contestants for season two of Squid Game: The Challenge.
The 10-part reality series recreates the outfits and sets, although the deadly consequences from the individual games are replaced with an elimination-style competition.
Netflix
With a prize pot of $4.56 million (about £3.6 million) up for grabs for the last player standing, it’s sure to be a lucrative opportunity, but you’ve got to make it through to the end.
This is easier said than done.
Netflix is accepting applications from all over the world and if you want to be in with a chance of being on season two of Squid Game: The Challenge, you can apply here.
However, be warned that you won’t be able to do every part of the iconic Squid Game series of competitions, as in some of the more dangerous moments you’ll be replaced by actors.
