How Squid Game 2 reunited an ex-K-drama couple who dated IRL; one of them again shares a controversy filled past | Web series

Since its Netflix premiere on December 26, 2024, Squid game season 2 has made a name for itself for more controversial reasons than heartfelt explanations. A significant portion of the fandom has argued how the first season’s compelling writing encouraged them to care about the characters despite the actors’ lesser-known popularity status at the time. The sequel, on the other hand, brought in a full-fledged A-list of actors or idols from the K-entertainment industry. Its star power has greatly outweighed the captivating storylines and character development arc that the K-drama once prided itself on.

The controversy surrounding Season 2 has only created more problems with Park Sung Hoon’s recent “random” adult content posts on Instagram.

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Despite the numerous lawsuits several cast members of the show have been embroiled in in the past, they have continued to intrigue audiences worldwide. Two characters introduced this time are played by actors who once shared a romantic past. Squid game season 2‘s OTT success has put the spotlight on Chae Gook Hee and Oh Dal Soo’s year-old relationship.

Squid Game 2 cast members who used to date IRL until the #MeToo movement

The former entered the hit drama’s sequel as #44, a shamanic player, while Soo is seen in Captain Park’s shoes. According to South Korean media outlet Isplus.com, the duo was once entangled in a five-year romantic relationship. In 2008, they shared the professional spotlight for a play. After that, Chae and Oh developed a close friendship. Their hit movie from 2012 The thieves drew them together again for an acting concert. Soon the two went on the friends-to-lovers track, publicly announcing their romance in 2016 and revealing they had been dating for three years. Their love story was short-lived from there as they broke up in 2018 after five years of dating.

Oh Dal Soo’s troubled past

That same year, Oh Dal Soo (or Oh Dal Su) became embroiled in allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault during the #MeToo movement. Several projects starring him at the time were consequently affected. The controversial actor was fired from tvN’s My Ahjussialso starring IU and Lee Sun Kyun. On top of that, several other films were remade or abandoned midway through. Meanwhile, the actor vehemently denied any and all allegations against him and followed up with an extended hiatus from the entertainment industry.

In 2019, his agency, CJ Entertainment, announced that Oh would return to acting with an independent film. The announcement came around the same time authorities confirmed they had ended their investigation into his case due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Oh was inevitably declared “not guilty.” In addition to his participation in Squid game 2the controversial actor also took on a supporting role in this year’s Korean film I, the execution (or Veteran 2), starring Jung Hae In.

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When the first reports of Oh Dal Soo’s casting in the Netflix K-drama made headlines months before its scheduled December premiere, his casting news whipped up a storm of negative reviews. Hallyu enthusiasts bombarded social media with comments such as, “What is this drama, are they running some kind of image laundering service for criminal actors?”

Squid Game Season 2 Male Cast and Their Controversies Never End

Squid Game Season 2’s star-studded cast welcomed back returning actors Lee Jung Jae, Lee Byung Hyun, Wi Ha Joon, and Gong Yoo. Newcomers included Yim Siwan, Kang Ha Neul, Park Sung Hoon, Jo Yuri, Kang Ae Sim, Lee Jin Wook, Park Gyu Young and others. Of these, Jung, the leading star of the show, has previously been involved in several DUIs and assault cases. He also came under fire for cheating allegations in 2024. Meanwhile, a former boyfriend sued Lee Byung Hyun in 2009 for deceiving her into a sexual relationship and causing physical and emotional harm with false promises of marriage. The central Play octopus actor was also called a chronic gambler.

Lee Jin Wook, who participated in the show as Player 246, was once accused of sexual assault. Former BIGBANG member TOP, aka Choi Seung Hyun, ran into trouble with the law for using marijuana during his mandatory military service in 2017. Song Young Chang, another Season 2 addition who plays 100, was convicted of underage prostitution. And then O Yeong Su, the older Player 001 from Squid Game Season 1, was charged with sexual misconduct.