It’s only been over a month since Netflix released the Korean drama Squid Game, but it has already taken the world by storm. In fact, the streaming service has said that it is its “biggest series launch ever,” having been viewed by a reported 111 million members in less than a month.
Written and directed by acclaimed Korean filmmaker Hwang Dong-hyuk, the show features a large ensemble cast made up of both veteran actors and newcomers. And with Squid Game’s global success, fans can’t help but wonder if that has translated to massive paychecks for everyone involved.
Who’s On The Show?
The show’s cast is led by veteran Korean actor Lee Jung-jae who has been a regular fixture in the Korean film industry since his breakout role in the award-winning drama An Affair back in the late 90s. Since then, he has starred in over 30 films, including critical hits such as The Face Reader, Deliver Us from Evil, Assassination, and New World.
Meanwhile, another seasoned actor in the cast is Park Hae-soo who plays Cho Sang-woo in the series. In Korea, Park is a prominent tv actor who has starred in series such as Legend of the Blue Sea and Prison Playbook. In recent years, he’s also ventured into film, starring in movies such as By Quantum Physics: A Nightlife Venture and Time to Hunt. When casting for the show, Hwang revealed that he specifically had Park and Lee in mind for the series’ lead roles. And so, during an interview for Netflix Korea, Hwang said that he just had to “wait for their answers” after offering them roles on the show (fortunately, both said yes).
At the same time, the cast also includes actress Jung Hoyeon who has already established herself in the Korean fashion scene. She may previously starred in various Korean music videos but Squid Game marks Jung’s first-ever acting role. As it turns out, she came upon Squid Game by chance. “When my modeling agency contract ended and I moved to an acting agency, this was the first script that I got for my first open audition,” Jung told Teen Vogue. “And I got the role after auditioning for the part.” The actress also explained, “Squid Game came at a moment where I was really thinking seriously about my acting career, so I wanted to put this into action finally.”
Meanwhile, the cast also includes Anupam Tripathi who has done several small roles in Korean films since moving to South Korea. When he sent a tape to audition for the series, Hwang initially thought that he didn’t have the “correct body shape” for the character. Hence, when he booked the part, he had to bulk up. “I was like OK now I have to put on weight, I have to work for it,” the actor told Variety. “I gained 5 or 6 kilograms and at least looked like somebody who has some power.”
How Much Did The Cast Earn From The Show?
Just like with other tv shows, cast salaries vary according to their role and level of experience. As expected, the highest-paid cast member on the show is Lee. In fact, it is believed that the show paid the veteran actor over $300,000 per episode, which means he possibly collected over $2 million for season 1. Meanwhile, in contrast, Park was reportedly almost $40,000 per episode.
As for Jung, the relative newcomer is reportedly paid around $20,000 per episode. Meanwhile, it is possible Tripathi also received a similar rate per episode although there are also reports claiming that the actor was paid significantly less.
Will The Cast Return For A Second Season?
With Squid Game’s global success, it almost seems that a second season is confirmed. However, that simply isn’t the case for now. For starters, season 2 hasn’t been written yet. “I don’t have well-developed plans for Squid Game 2,” Hwang admitted. “It is quite tiring just thinking about it.” Should he decide to work on it though, he also believes it will be more of a collaborative project this time around. “But if I were to do it, I would certainly not do it alone,” he explained. “I’d consider using a writers’ room and would want multiple experienced directors.”
At the same time, Hwang has also revealed that he already has ideas about the second season should the show get renewed. “If I do get to do one — one would be the story of the Front Man. I think the issue with police officers is not just an issue in Korea,” he told The Times. “This was an issue that I wanted to raise. Maybe in season two, I can talk about this more.”
Should Hwang decide to develop season 2, fans certainly expect the show’s main cast to return. This includes Lee who already has ideas on what would happen to Gi-hun. “He’s a very intriguing character. I guess he could go and try and punish the creators of the game,” the actor told The New York Times. “Or he could try to stop new contestants from playing it. Or he could try to join the game again. I have no idea at this point.” Netflix is yet to comment on the possibility of a second season for Squid Game.