Squid Game's Kang Ae-sim & Yang Dong-geun Reveal How Family Changes Competition

Kang Ae-sim & Yang Dong-geun are ready to play in Squid GameSeason 2. Both actors are new additions to the hit Netflix show's ensemble. Ae-sim portrays Jang Geum-ja, a Korean War survivor and widow who finds her family in hardship due to her son's crippling gambling debt. That son, Park Yong-sik, is played by Dong-geun.

Ae-sim comes into Squid Game with filmography credits dating back to 2006, as she had small roles in various Korean projects before landing three separate series regular gigs that premiered in 2024. Dong-geun, like many of his Squid Game co-stars, comes from the world of music, as he regularly raps under the stage name YDG. He also has an extensive history in film and television.

In celebration of Squid Game Season 2's premiere on Netflix, ScreenRant spoke with Ae-sim and Dong-geun to discuss what brought Geum-ja and Yong-sik into the competition, the familial relationships they find themselves encountering while involved, and what bonds outside of direct family that they will form during the Squid Games.

Geum-ja's Selfless Squid Game Participation

"She's really just razor-focused on keeping her son safe..."

ScreenRant: Geum-ja has perhaps the most selfless reason for joining the game. How does she adapt, given the bloodthirsty nature of the competition?

Kang Ae-sim: So my character, Geum-ja, she's lived a long time and has also gone through a lot. I think her approach to the games is that she's really just razor-focused on keeping her son safe, and of course, she cares about others as well, but she is focused on the survival of her son and making sure that they get out safely.

Yong-sik Encounters His Mother In Squid Game

"I think his game would be completely different had his mom not been there..."

Yong-sik must be shocked to find his mother in the game. How does she alter his gameplay, and can he even survive without her?

Yang Dong-geun: I think my character, Yong-sik, would win the games if his mom was not there. His mom is the reason why he can't keep voting to continue the games. She's the one that convinces him to vote X to end. I think his game and his character would be completely different had his mom not been there.

Ae-sim Recalls Funny Moment With Hyun-ju Actor

"We had to stop shooting for a moment because I was laughing so much..."

Can either of you tease any other relationships that your characters are going to form in Season 2? Obviously, there's quite a large field at play.

Kang Ae-sim: So for me, my character, I think it's definitely the scene where we're shooting the six-legged race and that's the first time my character gets to meet other people other than her son and has the chance to form new relationships, and I think specifically with the character Hyun-ju. Originally, my character is sort of skeptical of her and then also kind of says critical things about her, but they obviously end up forming a team. I remember seeing that actor, and she's standing kind of so tall and with her hands in the front like a meerkat. I remember just laughing, and we had to stop shooting for a moment because I was laughing so much.

About Squid Game Season 2

Created by Hwang Dong-hyuk

Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 gave up going to the states and comes back with a new resolution in his mind. Gi-hun once again dives into the mysterious survival game, starting another life-or-death game with new participants gathered to win the prize of 45.6 billion won.

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who made history at the 74th Primetime Emmys® becoming the first Asian to win Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, once again helms the series as director, writer, and producer. Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-jun, and Gong Yoo reprise their roles from Season 1 with an impeccable list of new cast members including Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-uk, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won, Jo Yu-ri, and Won Ji-an rounding out the ensemble of colorful characters in the new season.

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