Latest news with #FrontMan
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Lee Byung-Hun on Squid Game Season 3, the global reception and starring alongside Lee Jung-jae
There is this gripping crescendo that Season 1 of the dystopian Korean thriller show Squid Game builds up to, as we ready ourselves to find out who exactly The Front Man is. A shadowy figure who is seemingly shown to oversee a series of brutal, bloody games that has 456 debt-ridden contestants battle it out for a prize pot, he walks around in a trench coat, speaks in a robotic voice and wears a chiselled black mask. The big revelation that followed proved to be the result of one of the most exciting casting coups for a TV show. A household name in South Korea and one of the earliest crossover stars to feature in expansive Hollywood projects, Lee Byung-hun's first appearance onscreen on Squid Game as the chief adversary of Lee Jung-jae, another seasoned actor, proved to be one of the biggest surprises in a show that already had much shock and awe going for it. Four years after the show first premiered, the world is now gearing up for the third and final season of Squid Game. Since its release in 2021, the show has broken several streaming records on Netflix, won Emmys and a Golden Globe, cemented its place in pop-culture (think everything from Halloween outfits to trending nursery rhymes from the show), spawned reality show spin-offs, and more. Given the themes the show deals with, the political and social discourse has also been immense; the sharp writing satirises capitalism, and holds up a mirror to working class struggles and the debt trap. Even in the middle of a whirlwind press tour in the run up to the release, Lee Byung-hun is calm, collected and all smiles as he readies to speak to The Hindu about the show, having just finished an event with the ensemble cast earlier in the day. He is seated against a backdrop of a large poster from the show featuring creepy killer doll Young-hee and another creepier boy doll. 'As you well pointed out, this character is so multifaceted that I did feel some pressure going into the show,' he says, when asked about the many complexities that riddle The Front Man. 'It was such a fascinating character and I had so much fun playing him in the show.' In Season 2 of Squid Game, Byung-hun sheds his shadowy Front Man persona and infiltrates the games as the earnest yet secretly conniving contestant Hwang In-ho(player 001), prepping to pull off the ultimate betrayal. He harkens back to his own filmography, recalling the 2012 period drama film Masquerade where he played two different characters. 'Every time I take on a role that is multidimensional like this, I find it challenging and fascinating. I had to share a lot of conversations with director Hwang Dong-hyuk,' he says of his Squid Game experience. Season 3 will once again see him take up the mantle of The Front Man to keep the games going after a failed rebellion and a heartbreaking betrayal. There is much that is at stake here for The Front Man, who has to keep simmering tensions in check, and a watchful eye on Gi-hun, player 456 (Jung-jae). Byung-hun shared considerable screentime in Season 2 with Jung-jae, the show's protagonist and his contemporary as an actor. Their forged friendship was one of the high points of the season, especially given their opposing ideals and beliefs with regard to humanness and greed simmering beneath the surface. 'Interestingly enough, this was the first time that we were acting alongside each other. Both of us are experienced as actors, and we have been acquainted with each other throughout our career, and connected as friends. This meant that we did not have to try or make a special effort to coordinate our acting, it just came naturally,' Byung-hun says. Free time between takes meant that the two would spend time catching up on everything else except the show, like enquiring about which 'gym the other person was visiting', Byung-hun laughs. While renowned for his versatile roles in iconic South Korean films such as Joint Security Area, A Bittersweet Life, I Saw The Devil, Inside Men, and this year's hit The Match, Byung-hun's K-drama roles have been memorable as well. He amassed fans worldwide with the 2018 smash-hit period drama Mr Sunshine and was more recently seen in the 2022 K-drama, Our Blues. No stranger to global audiences as well, Byung-hun has previously starred in the franchise as Storm Shadow, and was also a part of Terminator Genisys and Red 2. 'For Squid Game, the story was created by a Korean team, worked on by Korean crew members and actors, and I was blown away by the overwhelming love and support we have been receiving from across the world. The reception even exceeded what I experienced when I was a part of Hollywood blockbuster projects,' Byung-hun says. Platforms like Netflix, he says, are now proving to people that they can have an equal and fair chance to introduce their stories to every place in the world, wherever they are. 'This is a message that relates to not just the Korean film and entertainment industry but across the globe. We now live in an era where as long as we have a great story and content, we can reach out to the entire community,' he says. Adding to the chatter about a possible spin-off focussed on The Front Man, Lee Byung-hun's recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon where he expressed his support for this has pleased fans. For now, however, the final season looms large. Is anyone going to make it out of the dreaded island alive? Or will The Front Man reign? Squid Game Season 3 streams on Netflix on June 27
Pink Villa
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Squid Game 3 new poster asks fans to pick between Lee Jung Jae in tuxedo and unmasked Lee Byung Hun, hints at final survivors
With just days left before its much-anticipated release, Netflix has unveiled another poster for Season 3 of Squid Game. It marks the final chapter of one of the most groundbreaking series in streaming history. Slated to premiere on June 27, 2025, the poster doesn't just tease another round of deadly games; it promises a war. The gripping new image delivers a visual standoff between the last remaining players and the game's authoritarian forces. It ramps up anticipation for the most intense and emotional season yet. Players vs. power The poster, reminiscent of the franchise's signature aesthetic, is both nostalgic and ominous. The caption read, 'It's anybody's game. Pick a side.' The poster splits the central characters of Squid Game into two opposing sides. On one side, we see the returning contestants wearing their recognizable green tracksuits. On the opposite side stands the infamous Front Man, played by Lee Byung Hun. He's alongside his faceless enforcers, the Pink Guards, who maintain order with brutal precision. But the biggest visual shock comes from Seong Gi Hun (Lee Jung Jae), the original winner and protagonist of Season 1. He is dressed not in the tracksuit, but in a sharp black tuxedo, standing apart from everyone else. This dramatic change in costume has sparked endless fan theories. Gi Hun returns with a mission Viewers will remember that Gi Hun in Season 2 rejected his chance at peace. Instead, he chose to uncover the truth behind the twisted game that cost hundreds of lives. However, his rebellion against the brutal system and its maker ended in failure. Now, he's back inside the system, seemingly with more purpose and resolve than ever before. His tuxedo appearance is more than just a style change; it signals a potential transformation. He's no longer just a player. He now has deeper insight into the mechanics of the game and a burning desire for justice. Gi Hun's return may not just be about survival, but dismantling the system from within (again). The Front Man is back On the other end of the battlefield stands the Front Man, one of the most enigmatic and feared characters in the series. He went undercover as a contestant in Season 2 under the alias Young Il. Now, he has reemerged in his full armor of secrecy and authority. The power shift between him and Gi Hun has set up a final showdown that's been building for two seasons. His presence in the poster, calm and commanding, reminds viewers of just how high the stakes are this time. The battle between the two isn't just physical. It's psychological, emotional, and deeply personal. A glimpse at the final survivors The poster also offers a roll call of the remaining players who have survived the previous carnage. They are about to face what may be the deadliest games yet. Among them are Geum Ja (Kang Ae Shim), Myung Gi (Im Siwan), Seon Nyeo (Chae Gook Hee), and Yong Sik (Yang Dong Geun). Also in the lineup are Jun Hee (Jo Yu Ri), Gyeong Seok (Lee Jin Uk), Min Su (David Lee), Nam Gyu (Roh Jae Won), Hyun Ju (Park Sung Hoon), and Dae Ho (Kang Ha Neul). Not to be overlooked is No Eul (Park Gyu Young), the mysterious Pink Guard.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Squid Game' Star Lee Byung-hun Teases That a Player Will Learn the Front Man's Identity in Season 3
At least one of the players in 'Squid Game' is going to learn the identity of the Front Man in Season 3. That's not TheWrap spilling; that's straight from the mouth of series star Lee Byung-hun, who stopped by 'The Tonight Show' on Tuesday night to tease what's ahead in the last season of the Netflix juggernaut. For the uninitiated, the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) is the masked man who orchestrates the Squid Game, a series of deadly children's games. If a player wins these challenges, they walk away with 456 billion won, but they have to survive against 455 other players to take home that reward. Seasons 2 and 3 of 'Squid Game' follows last season's winner Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who re-enters the game in the hopes of bringing it down from the inside. Lee's Front Man also covertly entered the game in Season 2 as In-ho, a man saddled with his wife's medical bills who befriends the unwitting Gi-hun. In the middle of his interview with Lee, Jimmy Fallon pulled out two buttons that looked identical to the ones used in the show. In 'Squid Game,' those buttons are used so players can vote on whether or not they want to go to the next deadly challenge. But on 'The Tonight Show,' Fallon used them to get Season 3 answers from Lee. 'Do more players learn your identity in Season 3?' Fallon asked Lee. After debating for a second, Lee pressed the O button, meaning yes. The rest of the game was more ambiguous. Given the twisting nature of this show, Lee's answers could truly mean anything. When asked if the Front Man will play any games in Season 3, Lee pressed both the X and O buttons. He pressed both again when asked, 'Is someone else in charge of the Squid Game besides the Front Man?' 'We know there will be new games, but do any old games return?' Fallon then asked. As Lee paused, Fallon joked, 'If you hit both again, I swear.' Lee then proceeded to hit both buttons with one hand, which felt like a Front Man power move. But Lee did have a definite answer for Fallon's last question. 'Could we see a Front Man spinoff one day?' the NBC host asked. For that one, Lee pressed O. Watch the full interview below. The post 'Squid Game' Star Lee Byung-hun Teases That a Player Will Learn the Front Man's Identity in Season 3 | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Squid Game 3 spin-off is happening: Lee Byung Hun drops major spoilers about finale ending, says, ‘Netflix asked me to keep this a secret…'
Squid Game season 3 star Lee Byung Hun recently showed up on The Jimmy Fallon Show and dropped some serious tea about the upcoming season. Lee plays the cold, calculated, and somehow still fan-favourite Front Man in the South Korean series that brought the Hallyu wave right onto global doorsteps back in 2021. Now, as the show gears up for its final chapter, Lee is spilling just enough juicy gossip to keep fans on edge. From how the story ends to hints about more seasons, he touched it all. He also revealed how his son and mom weren't exactly thrilled with his dark role, and what kind of NDA Netflix made him sign to keep everything sealed tight. Also read: Exclusive | Squid Game's 'Front Man' Lee Byung Hun on his 'utterly evil' character: 'Behind the mask, there's still…' During the final few minutes, host Jimmy had Lee play a tricky game, asking him to respond to some of the frequently asked fan questions. 'I wanted to see if you could answer some of the questions here,' Jimmy said, placing two lights—blue for yes, red for no—on the table, before starting. 'Do more players learn about Front Man's identity in Season 3?' Lee was asked, to which he responded with a yes, getting a big round of applause from the audience. So far, the character of Front Man has been a secret, with the trailer teasing only Lee Jung Jae's Gi Hun facing off the utterly evil character who is the ringmaster of all. Or wait, probably he is not. Because a far bigger twist might be awaiting Squid Game fans. When Lee was asked if there was someone else in charge other than the Front Man, someone more evil, he smirked, and after pausing, hit both buttons at once, teasing the possibility that the last season might open doors to someone new. Which brings us to the third question: since creator Hwang Dong Hyuk has confirmed they are not going to stretch the story anymore, is there any spinoff they're working on? Maybe something focused on the Front Man's character, given how popular he is among the fandom? Lee pressed the blue button, hinting that there indeed is a possibility. 'I'm not sure about that, but there is a possibility… we will never know what happens,' he said. He was also quizzed on whether he can confirm if the old games are returning in the new season, to which Lee didn't give any clear clue, but we already know it's happening, and the directors have confirmed that the fear-of-heights game is returning with a brutal twist, along with the tug of war. There was also a question about whether the Front Man will play any game like he did in the first season, and chances are, yes. When Squid Game first debuted, the character of Front Man was kept a mystery, hidden under a mask. The actor revealed that he didn't even tell his mother about the role, and when she got to know through her neighbours and friends, she was quite disappointed. 'Netflix asked me to keep it a secret, so I didn't say it to anybody, even my close friends and mom,' Lee shared. 'So, one day, after Squid Game opened, my mom called me and she yelled at me.' The K-drama star even spoke about how his 10-year-old kid reacted to his character of Front Man, who is the main antagonist of the show. After hearing from his school friend, the kid came straight to him and asked, 'Why are you so mean? Why are you killing so many people?' Lee said, describing how the role has impacted his real life as well. Also read: Squid Game 3 Final Trailer: Finally, a show that knows when to quit; fans all in for Lee Byung Hun and Lee Jung Jae's showdown But then, as the actor, he praised the story, saying that although he had been a part of many Hollywood stories, Squid Game is something else. 'It's a Korean story made by a Korean director, with Korean actors, and in the Korean language,' he said proudly. He added, 'When I first read the script, it was a very, very interesting story with a very unique structure, but at the same time, it was too experimental. So I thought, either it's going to be a huge hit or a complete flop.' Squid Game is about to premiere on June 27, and the anticipation surrounding the ending is already high. However, Lee says he is satisfied with how the story ends.
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Lee Byung-hun teases 'Squid Game' final season, leaves door open for spin-off on Jimmy Fallon show
Actor Lee Byung-hun hinted at the possibility of a spin-off centered on his character, the Front Man, appearing on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" to promote the third and final season of "Squid Game." "I am not sure about that, but there is a possibility," Lee said on the show that aired Wednesday. "We never know what will happen." Speaking about the series' global popularity, he recalled being stunned by the passionate reaction from American fans to Netflix's Korean original. "It is a Korean story made by a Korean director with Korean actors and in the Korean language, so when I first came to LA and New York for promotion, I was so shocked by the fans' reaction," he said. "I was so grateful and proud of it." Then he shared his initial mixed expectations for the series upon reading the script. "It was a very, very interesting story with a very unique structure, but at the same time, it was too experimental. So I thought either it's gonna be a huge hit or a complete flop," he said. Discussing his character, Lee recounted his family's reaction to the secrecy surrounding his role, whose identity remained hidden behind a full face mask. "After the show opened, my mom called me and yelled at me. She went like, 'How could you not tell me that?" he said, drawing laughter from the audience. During the show, Fallon gave Lee "O" and "X" buttons to answer questions about the upcoming season. While he confirmed that more about the Front Man's true identity will be revealed in the final season, he remained ambiguous on other questions, such as whether he'd participate in the games again, if someone new would run them or if old games would return, by pressing both buttons simultaneously. The final season is set to premiere June 27. (Yonhap)
