Cinematographer Kim Ji-yong Responds to 'Squid Game 2' Criticism

In a recent interview, Kim Ji-yong, the cinematographer for Netflix's 'Squid Game 2' (오징어 게임2), addressed public opinions suggesting that the character Young-hee appears more attractive in the new season compared to the first. During a meeting in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, alongside art director Chae Kyung-sun and music director Jung Jae-il, Kim shared insights about the filming process for the series.

Chae revealed that the Young-hee statue from Season 1 was reused in Season 2, and the designs for Young-hee and Cheol-soo were inspired by illustrations from elementary school textbooks. He noted, "When designing Young-hee in Season 1, the sketches for Cheol-soo were already in progress. Cheol-soo was designed to look like a partner to Young-hee, complete with suspenders."

Kim Ji-yong humorously stated, "I had no intention of making Young-hee look pretty," emphasizing that he aimed to highlight the character's grotesque nature as a deadly weapon. He explained that the filming techniques were designed to convey a sense of strangeness and intimidation through the camera's distance and angles, making Young-hee appear as a threatening presence rather than just a doll.

As a new addition to the team for Season 2, Kim discussed the unique filming techniques employed to immerse viewers in the experience, making them feel like one of the 456 participants. He explained, "We used close-up shots to create a documentary-like immersion, while also incorporating high-angle shots to provide an overview of the game's dynamics." He particularly noted the complex direction in scenes where, from a distance, the violence appears as a massacre, but can be perceived differently from other angles.

'Squid Game 2' continues the story of Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who returns to the deadly games seeking revenge, facing off against the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) in a fierce battle. The series has garnered significant attention, recording 26.3 million views from January 6 to 12, maintaining the top spot in Netflix's global Top 10 series across both English and non-English categories, and receiving explosive responses in the Top 10 lists of 93 countries worldwide.