"This was the 'scene of a lifetime'" — Squid Game 2 director praises Gong Yoo's Russian Roulette scene that “overpowered Lee Jung-jae on set”

On January 5, 2025, TV Report reported that Squid Game 2 creator and director, Hwang Dong-hyuk, praised South Korean star, Gong Yoo, for his portrayal of the Salesman in the series.

Among the standout moments of the new season is a gripping Russian roulette scene between Seong Gi-hun, portrayed by Lee Jung-jae, and the enigmatic recruiter, played by Gong Yoo. Hwang Dong-hyuk expressed profound admiration for Gong Yoo's portrayal in this pivotal scene.

He remarked:

"Actually, I was really surprised when we were filming this time. I put a lot of effort into the script because I wanted to kill this character off in a really cool way, but the energy Gong Yoo showed on set was really incredible."

This intense encounter garnered significant attention even from viewers worldwide, with the series' director lauding Gong Yoo's performance as "the scene of a lifetime."

"They say Gong Yoo has never played a villain before. Even more, since it's a villain with a mysterious feel rather than a typical villain, the actor himself had a strong will to do it coolly. He gave off a force that was enough to overpower Lee Jung-jae on set. [...] All the staff on set thought that this was the 'scene of a lifetime' in Gong Yoo's acting career."

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Gong Yoo's iconic Russian Roulette scene from Squid Game 2 explored

Gong Yoo reprised his role as the mysterious recruiter aka Salesman who entices desperate individuals into the deadly games with promises of wealth. His character served as a catalyst, drawing protagonist Seong Gi-hun back into the perilous world he once escaped. The recruiter's presence was both alluring and menacing, embodying the seductive danger of the games themselves.

In Squid Game 2 episode 1, Gi-hun confronted the recruiter in a secluded setting, seeking answers and revenge for the previous season's horrors. The recruiter proposed a high-stakes game of Russian roulette.

As they took turns pulling the trigger, the suspense and psychological tension grew, with Gi-hun's desperation for justice clashing against the recruiter's calm demeanor.

The scene reached its climax when the revolver's chamber, now loaded, landed on the recruiter (Gong Yoo). In a shocking display of resolve, he pulled the trigger without hesitation, the bullet discharging fatally. This act left Gi-hun in stunned silence, the recruiter's lifeless body a testament to the perilous allure of the games.

Gong Yoo and Lee Jung-jae playing Russian Roulette in Squid Game 2 Episode 1. (Image via X/@NetflixKR)

This scene served as a critical juncture in the narrative, profoundly affecting Gi-hun's trajectory. The recruiter's willingness to embrace death rather than divulge information about Squid Game organizers and the Front Man reinforced the perilous nature of the organization behind the games.

For Gi-hun, witnessing this act intensified his resolve to dismantle the system, propelling him deeper into a world fraught with danger and moral ambiguity. This also made him re-enter the games in Squid Game 2 episode 2 and decide to uproot the organization from within.

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Squid Game 2 plot and season overview

Squid Game 2 delved deeper into the sinister machinations of the deadly competition, introducing new games like Ggongi, Spinning Top, Red Light, Green Light along with Tag, Mingle, The Special Game, and Six Legs, etc., exploring the personal vendettas and psychological turmoil of returning characters.

Gi-hun's journey was marked by a relentless pursuit of those responsible for the games, confronting new adversaries such as the Front Man entering the games as a contestant himself (Player 001) with a fake name.

The Front Man's player number is a shoutout to the game's original founder, Oh Il-nam, who had played as Player 001 in Squid Game season 1. For the unversed, the character of Oh Il-nam was redacted from Squid Game 2 and further as the actor, O Yeong-su, who portrayed Oh Il-nam was imprisoned for s*exual misconduct.

From L to R: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Kang Ha-neul, Lee Seo-hwan, and Jo Yuri. (Image via X/@NetflixKR)

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All episodes of Squid Game 2 are streaming on Netflix.