By Jae-Ha Kim
KOCOWA
October 13, 2021
It is safe to say that “Squid Game” is a worldwide sensation. It’s not only the No. 1 series in South Korea and the United States. Rather, it’s the top series in at least 90 countries worldwide. The psychological and gory thriller is on track to top “Bridgerton,” “Lupin” and “The Witcher” as the biggest series of all time.
As you can imagine, the cast members are busy figuring out what roles they’ll tackle next. They’re also enjoying all the requests to appear on talk and variety shows! Just last week, Lee Jung Jae (who played Gi Hun), Park Hae Soo (Sang Woo), Jung Ho Yeon (Sae Byeok), and Wi Ha Joon (Jun Ho) appeared on the popular U.S. nighttime talk show, “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.”
But the “Squid Game” actors haven’t forgotten about their Korean roots. Let’s take a look at some of their recent bookings.
If there’s anyone who can put on an entertaining show, it’s Yu Jae Seok, who’s known as the Nation’s MC in South Korea. With his reality series “How Do You Play?” Jae Seok invites guests to hang out with him in a lowkey setting. Oh Young Soo — the 70something actor who portrayed Il Nam (aka No. 001), the elderly man with a brain tumor that affected his memory — has confirmed that he will appear on the show with Jae Seok. The oldest cast member of “Squid Game,” Mr. Oh was born in Korea during a time when it was occupied by Imperial Japan.
Until recently, he was primarily a stage actor, having played the lead in productions of “King Lear” and more. His film roles included “A Little Monk” and “The Soul Guardians.” But you can see him right here on KOCOWA in the 62-episode K-drama, “The Great Queen Seondeok.” And once his episode of “How Do you Play?” airs in Korea, it’ll be available for streaming on KOCOWA as well.
While the actor has no social media accounts, a fan page started up for him on Instagram already has more than 210,000 followers.
Who didn’t fall in love with Anupam Tripathi’s portrayal of sweet Ali, the Pakistani migrant worker trying to support this wife and baby. Of all the characters, Ali was the one I was rooting for to make it to the end. I won’t spoiler the ending for those of you who haven’t seen “Squid Game” yet, but I will say that the talented Indian actor (who is based out of Seoul) is going to be a guest on “Home Alone“! I can already tell that he’s going to fit right in with the regulars. If you’ve seen his video shorts, you know that he is very funny.
Jung Ho Yeon had never acted prior to her breakthrough role as a North Korean defector in “Squid Game.” But she’s not new to the spotlight. A top model, she played down her looks for her acting debut. Following her appearance on “The Tonight Show,” Ho Yeon is set to guest star on (and partake in a quiz!) on Yu Jae Seok’s “You Quiz on the Block.” In the meanwhile, be sure to check out her appearance on “The Manager,” where she is absolutely charming. She looked so relaxed enjoying a good meal with her friends. Ho Yeon even demonstrates how to eat like her favorite mukbanger.
And if all of the above isn’t enough “Squid Game” content for you, be sure to watch Yu Jae Seok’s “How Do You Play” (Episode 108). While none of the actors guest on this episode, it’s a lot of fun to watch Jae Seok and Ha Ha do their own take of … Squid Game (the children’s game that started off the K-drama of the same name)! As expected, this episode isn’t scary in the least. Well, let me append that. Jae Seok looks hilariously terrified as a member of South Korea’s national rugby team hoists him in the air!
Episode 575 will be the variety show’s homage to “Squid Game,” except it’s called … “Webfoot Octopus Game.” haha An ominous voice asks the cast members: “It’s your last chance to turn your life around. Will you participate in the Webfoot Octopus Game?” Here’s what we know so far: Yu Jae Seok is No. 01, but accuses Jee Seok Jin (No. 02) — the eldest “Running Man” cast member — of being Il Nam. Kim Jong Kook and Haha are No. 03 and No. 04, respectively. Jeon So Min, No. 06, proclaims herself to be savvy Han Mi Nyeo (played in “Squid Game” by Kim Joo Ryoung). Looking confused and clueless, Yang Se Chan (No. 07) claims he was robbed. By process of elimination, we can guess that Song Ji Hyo is No. 05.
Which appearances are you most excited about? What shows would you like to see Ho Yeon, Anupam and Mr. Oh appearing on next? For me, personally, I would love to see them (and the rest of their cast mates) go against the cast members of “Running Man.” Everyone would have fun and, more importantly, none of the losers would die! Though if the show went old school, the losers might have to wear hot pants and walk around crowded neighborhoods in Seoul.
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