Squid Game actor Park Sung-hoon explains why he apologized to a co-star during the filming of the six-legged race. Park plays Squid Game‘s Cho Hyun-ju, a new character in season 2 who is competing in the games to earn enough money to complete her gender-affirming care and to begin a new life in Thailand. During the six-legged race competition, the players are required to compete in teams of five, with Hyun-ju competing on the same team as Seon-nyeo (Chae Kook-hee), who claims to be a shaman. When Seon-nyeo is overwhelmed by her panic, Hyun-ju slaps her.
In a Netflix behind-the-scenes video, Park reveals that he actually slapped Chae multiple times during the filming of the six-legged race. Park did not think he was going to be required to actually hit her, until the director told him that he would have to do so. He hit her once, and then had to do it again, as the director wanted additional takes. Park was so mortified that he got on his knees and apologized to Chae afterward. Check out Park’s comments below:
Actually, the day we filmed that scene, I was under the impression that I wasn’t really going to hit her. But on the spot, the director asked me to really hit her once. I felt horrible doing it, but to make matters worse, the director didn’t approve the first take. So I remember having to hit her two or three times. Afterwards, I got on my knees and apologized.
What This Means For Squid Game
It Can Be A Difficult Series To Film
This is not the first time that a Squid Game actor has been slapped multiple times during filming. When filming the season 1 ddakji scene between Squid Game‘s Salesman (Gong Yoo) and Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), the Salesman actor was required by the director to slap Lee multiple times. Lee did not take issue with this, as he wanted the scene to be authentic, but this does not make it any less uncomfortable for the actors who are directed to slap their co-stars more than once.
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Park’s reaction is understandable, as it would be difficult to slap a co-star, and then continue filming and being on set with them afterward. As understandable as Park’s reaction is, the final version of the scene works well in Squid Game season 2. Hyun-ju’s sense of self-preservation and determination is palpable as she slaps Seon-nyeo and promises that she will kill the self-proclaimed shaman if she decides to give up now. The slaps make it more convincing that Hyun-ju means every word she is saying.
A Challenging Behind-The-Scenes Moment Pays Off
Squid Game‘s viewership is unparalleled, but that does not mean that the series always operates without challenges behind-the-scenes. One of these challenges is the awkwardness of actors having to slap their co-stars multiple times, as Park had to do during season 2. Park’s discomfort makes sense, but it is not evident in the final scene as Hyun-ju slaps Seon-nyeo with conviction. While Hyun-ju has many memorable scenes in Squid Game season 2, this scene is one of her most memorable moments.
Source: Netflix
In Squid Game, a mysterious invitation to join a competition is sent to people at risk who are in dire need of money. Four hundred fifty-six participants from all walks of life are locked into a secret location where they play games to win 45.6 billion won. Games are selected from traditional Korean children’s games, such as Red Light and Green Light, but the consequence of losing is death. To survive, competitors must choose their alliances carefully – but the further they go in the competition, the more likely betrayal will rear its ugly head.
- Release Date
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September 17, 2021
- Cast
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Wi Ha-joon
, Anupam Tripathi
, Oh Yeong-su
, Heo Sung-tae
, Park Hae-soo
, Jung Ho-yeon
, Lee Jung-jae
, Kim Joo-ryoung - Seasons
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2
- Writers
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Hwang Dong-hyuk
- Directors
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Hwang Dong-hyuk
- Showrunner
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Hwang Dong-hyuk