[Interview] 〈Squid Game 3〉 Wi Ha-jun "Why didn't you suspect Captain Park?"

On June 27, <Squid Game> concluded its 5-year journey by releasing season 3 to the world. Following the unprecedented success of season 1 in 2021, which was watched by over 100 million households worldwide, season 2 was released in 2024, and season 3 followed in 2025. Season 3 also achieved a remarkable record by ranking first in 93 countries, including Korea, the United States, Japan, and France, in its first week of release, marking the first time in Netflix history that a show ranked first in every country during its debut week.

Actor Wi Ha-jun is a crucial part of this incredible series. He plays the role of detective Hwang Jun-ho, who struggles to find his brother and the game's top manager, Frontman Hwang In-ho (Lee Byung-hun). Since season 1, he has been a key figure adding depth and tension to the work. In season 3, Wi Ha-jun appears with a markedly different look that captures attention. His gaunt face, hollow eyes, and rugged appearance perfectly convey the anguish and despair of the character 'Jun-ho,' who has fought alone for a long time. However, some viewers have expressed disappointment that Jun-ho's performance did not meet their expectations. Meeting actor Wi Ha-jun at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 3rd, he shared honest and sincere responses regarding the viewers' reactions.

Finally, the <Squid Game> series has come to an end with season 3. Please share your thoughts.

It's bittersweet. Since it has been a long time with this work and character, I didn't expect to feel this way, but I find myself getting emotional more than I thought. It's a work I'm very grateful for, and a character I'm thankful for.

<Squid Game> has received love not only in Korea but globally. Do you feel this global popularity?

Yes, many people recognize me. Even when I'm in Europe for filming or traveling, wearing a hat and glasses, people still recognize me. Young fans call me 'Policeman' and ask to take pictures.

You have a famous nickname, 'World Sexy.' (laughs)

I am a person with very low self-esteem, but it seems to boost my confidence. It's fun, but it's also a very precious nickname. (laughs)

The response to this season is also extraordinary. After just 3 days of release, the accumulated viewing time reached 368.4 million hours. Netflix stated that <Squid Game 3> is the first show to rank first in all countries during its debut week, which is an incredible record.

I was once again amazed. It shows how much people were waiting for and looking forward to <Squid Game 3>. Evaluations will naturally vary, but I feel blessed to be part of a work that receives such great interest.

This filming took place mostly on a boat. I assume not all filming was done at sea; how was it actually filmed?

In reality, the time spent on the boat at sea was less than expected. We filmed at an outdoor set near Jeonju Iksan, made to resemble a real boat. Still, since the set was outdoors, it was cold when it was cold and hot when it was hot. (laughs) We even hid warm tea to drink.

The actors, including Oh Dal-soo, who played Captain Park, and Jeon Seok-ho, who played Director Choi, must have become very close.

That's right. We had a lot of fun together. Everyone was very cheerful. We even met separately outside. If someone came after drinking the night before, I would scold them... (laughs) They made it that comfortable for me.

Seasons 2 and 3 were filmed consecutively. What was your impression when you first received the script?

I felt that it captured the state of our society through Jun-ho and his journey. The <Squid Game> series has many social critique elements. Many young people have the mindset of 'I won't gain much anyway,' and I resonate with that. Hope in society is gradually diminishing. I think the emptiness and frustration that come from Jun-ho's struggle to end this game alone and being betrayed by someone he trusted reflect the reality many people experience in our society.

*The following contains spoilers for <Squid Game 3>.

Season 3 starts with a haggard-looking Jun-ho. It seems to reflect his obsession and stubbornness towards his brother. If there are aspects in your approach to playing Jun-ho in season 3 that differ from season 2, what are they?

I discussed a lot with director Hwang Dong-hyuk about Jun-ho's emotional line. For example, when I killed Captain Park, I felt a surge of emotion from Jun-ho's perspective, and I almost cried. However, it seemed inappropriate in the overall flow, so I omitted that part while acting. When facing my brother, I tried various approaches, sometimes letting the pent-up emotions explode and sometimes holding back. The director helped balance it. Externally, I didn't shave and tanned my skin to make it darker. When we filmed the scene where Jun-ho wakes up, I lost 3 kg just through hydration. It didn't show much because it was filmed from a high angle. (laughs) I wanted Jun-ho to appear as sensitive as possible.

Since the release of <Squid Game 3> on the 27th, viewer reactions have been quite divided. There are comments saying that Jun-ho's character lacks significant action. What do you think?

I think viewers expected a lot from Jun-ho because he was originally a capable detective. It's natural for them to feel disappointed about the lack of action. I also hoped that Jun-ho would show some significant action when season 2 was announced after season 1. However, I know that the director has a clear theme and expression he wants to convey, so I am grateful to be part of his journey.

The two biggest questions viewers have are: 'Why didn't you suspect Captain Park?' and 'Why didn't you shoot your brother?'

Jun-ho has had no one to help him. Whenever the topic of the squid game comes up, people just call him a 'crazy person' and tell him to go to a mental hospital. Jun-ho struggles alone with that trauma. How lonely and difficult must that have been? At that time, the only person who helped him was Captain Park, and although it wasn't shown in the work, there must be many memories. He must have relied on him a lot. So when Jun-ho realized that Captain Park was someone obstructing his work, he felt sadness, pain, betrayal, and emptiness. The biggest reason he didn't shoot his brother when facing him is probably because of the child. If there were no child, I think he would have shot to prevent him from escaping. I believe he felt helpless towards his brother, who was holding a young life.

How will Jun-ho's life unfold after the conclusion? Will he spend the enormous money he received with the child?

Jun-ho knows this game very well. He has seen people die and knows that such a large prize is given for their lives, so I think he wouldn't be able to touch the money. Moreover, he lost his colleagues and didn't achieve what he wanted. He must have felt a lot of guilt.

It's not an exaggeration to say that <Squid Game> discovered you as an actor. Why do you think director Hwang Dong-hyuk cast you as Jun-ho?

I believe Jun-ho was the last to be cast. When I first met the director, we didn't do an audition but just talked. I was involved in another project, and the director was hesitant about casting actors who were overlapping with other works. I thought, 'I won't be able to audition for this,' and just wanted to greet him as a fan of his previous work, <The Fortress>. However, he wanted to see my acting tone, so I ended up auditioning. The director said I had the gaze and voice he envisioned for Jun-ho. I was very lucky.

The <Squid Game> series features many attractive characters besides Jun-ho. Was there a role you coveted throughout the seasons? How about Thanos (Choi Seung-hyun)?

Thanos is a character that needs to stand out while also blending in. Personally, I found his acting very impressive. I would like to challenge that role. On the other hand, there are villains like Nam-kyu (No Jae-won). He's a character that just shoots everything. I'm good at that kind of thing. (laughs) I always thought I wanted to express something freely with that, even though I haven't shown it.

In <Squid Game>, the game is a key element, but Jun-ho has never participated in a game. If you were to participate in the squid game, which game would you be confident in, and conversely, which game do you think you wouldn't be able to do?

Based on my childhood experience, I was good at 'Mugunghwa Flower Has Bloomed.' I was good at the air as well. I think I would do well in physically demanding games like the squid game or jump rope. However, I wouldn't be good at something like Dalgona. I always failed at that when I was a child. (laughs) I think I'm not good at delicate things.

The <Squid Game> series has received tremendous love. It could be both a blessing and a curse for an actor's career. It's like feeling a maximum dopamine rush too early?

Will there be another work among those I participate in that achieves this level of success? (laughs) The success of <Squid Game> is so absurd that it feels like a separate issue. Moreover, most works follow the story of one or two main characters. <Squid Game> is not that kind of work; it features multiple characters and various stories. I was just one of them. While it's a very valuable work in my filmography, I also think I need to create a representative work in the projects I lead.

What has changed for you as an actor through <Squid Game>?

It's the perspective of trying to see the whole picture. If I only empathize with Jun-ho, I would want to find my brother quickly and explode with emotions in the way I desire. However, I think it's important to act in line with the flow and direction that this work wants to convey. Even if I try to express emotions sensitively as Jun-ho, I understand the director's point that he wants me to 'maintain the center.'