'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
T.O.P's absence in a World Premiere event attended by the cast of Squid Game 2 has ignited controversy surrounding the past scandals of its cast members. Created by Korean writer and producer Hwang Dong-hyuk, the highly anticipated season is set to debut on Netflix on December 26, 2024.
Squid Game 2 features an ensemble cast, including Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon, Lee Byung-hun, Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Lee Jin-wook, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Jo Yu-ri, Kang Ae-shim, and Lee Seo-hwan.
One notable absence during the World Premiere event held ahead of the Squid Game 2 release was T.O.P, reportedly due to his past drug-related controversies. The event sparked backlash as netizens revisited the personal scandals of other prominent cast members who attended, such as Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, and new addition Lee Jin-wook.
Trending
Controversies surrounding some Squid Game 2 cast members
Lee Jin-wook
In the summer of 2016, Lee Jin-wook, a new addition to the cast of Squid Game 2, faced allegations of s*xual assault. However, he denied the allegations and filed a countersuit against the accuser for false claims, as reported by Asia Economy. He was cleared of all charges later that year.
In 2017, the court acquitted the accuser of making a false accusation. Lee Jin-wook’s legal team appealed this ruling, and on February 7, 2018, the court reversed the initial decision. The accuser was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years.
Lee Jung-jae
Lee Jung-jae, the series protagonist, who is returning for Squid Game 2, faced legal trouble in 1999 after being detained by Gangnam Police for driving under the influence, resulting in a collision with a 23-year-old woman, as per Daily Beast.
As per the outlet, his blood alcohol level was 0.22 percent, exceeding South Korea’s legal limit of 0.05 percent. Lee denied the charges, claiming his manager had been driving. Three years later, he faced similar DUI charges again.
Apart from the DUI charge in 1999, Lee Jung-jae and a friend were charged with assault after attacking another man under the influence. In 2000, he faced another assault charge for allegedly dragging a 22-year-old woman from a nightclub in Busan and kicking her, causing injuries that required a two-week hospital recovery.
As of June 2024, the Seoul Gangnam Police Station is investigating a fraud complaint against the actor and the ex-CEO of WYSIWYG Studios, Park In Gyu. According to The Hindustan Times, Kim Dong Rae, CEO of RaemongRaein, filed the complaint under the Specific Economic Crimes Act.
Kim alleged that the duo falsely promised significant company growth if he made them major shareholders, prompting him to transfer his shares. He also accused them of attempting to oust him from the company's management.
Lee Byung-hun
Lee Byung-hun, who is also returning for Squid Game 2, has had his share of controversies. On December 9, 2009, Lee’s ex-girlfriend, Kwon Mi-yeon, filed a lawsuit claiming he deceived her into a s*xual relationship with false promises of marriage, causing her emotional and physical harm, as reported by Korea Times. She also accused him of being a chronic gambler and sought 100 million won in damages.
Lee’s agency, BH Entertainment, dismissed her claims as false and retaliatory, and Lee countersued for defamation and extortion. Amid the lawsuit, TV host Kang Byung-kyu caused a disturbance on the set of Lee’s drama Iris, allegedly involving gangsters due to a feud with a producer. Kang was later charged with blackmail and defamation for conspiring with Kwon to extort money from Lee.
Lee was cleared of illegal gambling charges in March 2010, and Kwon’s lawsuit was dropped in August 2010 due to her lack of participation. In 2013, Kang received a one-year prison sentence and three years of probation for fraud and assault.
T.O.P
In June 2017, Channel A reported that bandmate T.O.P had faced allegations of marijuana use. Unlike others, his case was more severe as he admitted to using the substance at least four times in 2016. T.O.P received a 10-month prison sentence and was suspended for two years. At the time of his arrest, he was serving in the military as a conscripted policeman, a position he lost due to the incident.
He was subsequently reassigned to complete his service as a public service worker, considered a dishonorable discharge. Even today, T.O.P reportedly remains restricted from appearing on certain TV networks, including KBS and EBS, as per South China Morning Post.
Fans have shown excitement after finding that the Big Bang member will join the Squid Game 2 ensemble.
Squid Game 2 is scheduled to be released on December 26, 2024.
