Wi Ha-jun Discusses His Role and Earnings in Squid Game Season 2
On January 7, actor Wi Ha-jun (34) shared his thoughts on his earnings and experiences while filming the Netflix original series Squid Game 2 (오징어 게임2) during an interview at a café in Jongno, Seoul. He expressed that he initially felt pressure due to his prominent role in the first two episodes of the new season but decided to approach it with a mindset of enjoyment. Wi mentioned that he had more interactions and conversations with Lee Jung-jae, his senior co-star, compared to Season 1, where Lee offered gentle encouragement, saying, 'You're doing well.' He also had extensive discussions with the director, as his character Junho requires a more stoic and composed demeanor, which posed a challenge for him as an actor.
Currently, Wi Ha-jun boasts 11.46 million followers, a significant increase of about 900,000 since the release of Season 2. He remarked on the surprising global growth of his following, noting fluctuations in numbers but ultimately not letting it affect him too much.
Addressing rumors about his earnings, which suggested he made 300 million KRW for his role in Squid Game, Wi firmly denied this claim, stating, 'I have no idea who wrote that. 300 million? Not at all.' He added that his compensation for Season 2 was appropriately increased compared to Season 1.
Wi also shared personal anecdotes about supporting his parents financially. He mentioned wanting to buy them a better car but had to replace their vehicle after it broke down, leading to a near-accident. He expressed that while he has provided them with gifts and allowances, he has yet to experience the joy of giving them something truly special.
Squid Game 2 continues the story of Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who returns to the deadly games for revenge, facing off against the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun). Since its release on December 26, the series has garnered 68 million views within just four days, claiming the top spot in Netflix's global Top 10. It also set a record for the highest viewership in its opening week, ranking as the seventh most popular non-English series in Netflix history, surpassing the previous record held by Wednesday. The first season also ranked third in the global Top 10 for non-English series, showcasing the immense popularity of the franchise.
