Since its Netflix premiere on December 26, 2024 Squid Game Season 2 has made a name for itself for more controversial reasons than heartfelt statements. A sizable faction of the fan base has argued that the first season’s compelling script pushed them to care about the characters, even though the actors were less popular at the time. The sequel, on the other hand, made use of a full-fledged A-list of actors or idols from the K-entertainment industry. Its star power has far surpassed the compelling storylines and character development arc that K-drama once prided itself on.

The controversies surrounding the second season have only caused more anger with Park Sung Hoon’s recent “random” adult content post on Instagram.

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Despite the numerous legal disputes that many of the series’ cast members have been involved in in the past, they continue to captivate audiences around the world. Two characters introduced this time are played by actors who once had romantic pasts. Squid Game Season 2The OTT success has brought the years-long bond between Chae Gook Hee and Oh Dal Soo into the spotlight.

Squid Game 2 cast members who dated IRL until the #MeToo movement

The former appeared as shamanic player No. 44 in the sequel to the hit drama, while Soo can be seen in the shoes of Captain Park. According to South Korean media outlet Isplus.com, the duo was once involved in a five-year romantic relationship. In 2008, they were in the professional spotlight together for a play. Afterwards, Chae and Oh developed a close friendship. Your hit film from 2012 The thieves brought them back together for an acting gig. The two soon began the journey from friends to lovers, publicly announcing their romance in 2016 and revealing that they had been together for three years. Their love story was short-lived from then on as they separated in 2018 after five years of dating.

Oh Dal Soo’s troubled past

That same year, Oh Dal Soo (or Oh Dal Su) became embroiled in allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault during the #MeToo movement. Several projects with him in the star cast at the time were affected by this. The controversial actor was fired by tvN My Ahjussialso with IU and Lee Sun Kyun. In addition, numerous other films were re-shot or stopped halfway through. Meanwhile, the actor vehemently denied all allegations made against him and subsequently took a long break from the entertainment industry.

In 2019, his agency CJ Entertainment announced that Oh would return to acting with an independent film. The announcement came around the same time as authorities confirmed that they had closed investigations into his case due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Oh was inevitably declared “not guilty.” In addition to his participation in Squid game 2The controversial actor also took on a supporting role in this year’s Korean film I, the execution (or Veteran 2), starring Jung Hae In.

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When initial reports of Oh Dal Soo’s appearance in the Netflix K-drama hit headlines months before its scheduled December premiere, his casting news sparked a storm of negative reviews. Hallyu enthusiasts bombarded social media with comments like, “What kind of drama is this? Are you running some kind of image laundering service for criminal actors?”

Squid Game season 2’s male cast and its controversies never end

The star-studded cast of Squid Game season 2 welcomed returning actors Lee Jung Jae, Lee Byung Hyun, Wi Ha Joon and Gong Yoo. The newcomers included Yim Siwan, Kang Ha Neul, Park Sung Hoon, Jo Yuri, Kang Ae Sim, Lee Jin Wook, Park Gyu Young and others. Of these, Jung, the series’ lead, has previously been involved in several drunk driving and assault cases. He also came under fire in 2024 because of allegations of fraud. Meanwhile, a former girlfriend sued Lee Byung Hyun in 2009 for enticing her into a sexual relationship and causing her physical and emotional harm through false promises of marriage. The headquarters Squid game The actor has also been called a chronic gambler.

Lee Jin Wook, who joined the show as player 246, was once accused of sexual assault. Former BIGBANG member TOP, aka Choi Seung Hyun, had a run-in with the law for using marijuana during his mandatory military service in 2017. Song Young Chang, another Season 2 addition as Player 100, was convicted of underage prostitution. And then O Yeong Su, the senior player 001 from the first season of Squid Game, was accused of sexual misconduct.