Who is Jung Bae? Gi-hun's friend in Squid Game Season 2 explained

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Who is Jung Bae? Gi-hun's friend in Squid Game Season 2 explained

Notice! This article contains spoilers for Squid Game Season 2, Episode 3.

Lee Seo-Hwan's Jung-bae is not only featured as one of the main players in the games in squid game 2nd season, but also as G-hun's friend, raising many questions surrounding his history with the protagonist. Although squid game Season 2 has a shorter runtime than its predecessor, it nonetheless introduces an entirely new roster and ensures viewers become invested in the stories of multiple characters. Among all the new characters, the one that stands out is Lee Seo-Hwan's Jung-bae, because he and Lee Jung-jae's Gi-hun are very old.

As squid game The main plot of season 2 begins, Gi-hun arrives at the central games to end them for good. Unlike most other participants, who remain naive about the horrific nature of the games, Gi-hun is aware of what is about to happen in the first game "Red Light, Green Light". However, despite this, he remains collected, hoping his team will track him down soon and stop the games. To his surprise, moments before the start of the first game, he hears someone call his name. That's when his old friend, Jung-bae, emerges from the crowd.

Jung-bae first appeared in the first season of Squid Game as Gi-hun's longtime friend

Jung-bae appeared in two episodes of Squid Game's first season


Gi-hun and Jung-bae talking in Squid Game Season 2

Gi-hun and Jung-bae's first interaction in Season 2 Episode 3 suggests that they have a long history and were once good friends. As squid game As the second season progresses, it becomes clear that, Before Gi-hun's greed and desperation to make quick money got the better of him in the first season, he and Jung-bae were close friends. Eagle-eyed viewers may also remember that Jung-bae briefly appeared in squid game season 1.

Set in 2020, squid gameThe first season established that Jung-bae ran a pub with his wife. Just like Gi-hun, Jung-bae also struggled with gambling addiction and even went to the racetrack with Gi-hun to gamble his winnings. In the season 1 opening episode, "Red Light, Green Light", Jung-bae was with Gi-hun when the loan sharks arrived and chased Gi-hun to collect his winnings from the racing game. In Season 1 Episode 2, “Hell”, Gi-hun met Jung-bae again at his pub when he temporarily returned after the first round of the games.

Unfortunately for Gi-hun, Jung-bae couldn't sit with him for long because his wife ended up calling him and even scolded him for smoking outside the pub. Despite surviving the games in squid game season 1, Gi-hun never met Jung-bae again because he was busy planning his revenge plan while living in complete isolation. with guilt and regret. Little did he know that he would inevitably cross paths with him during his second chance at the games.

Who plays Jung-bae in Squid Game (is it the same actor from the first season?)

The same actor plays the characters from seasons 1 and 2 of Squid Game

Lee Seo-hwan plays Jung-bae in both squid game seasons. Born on March 6, 1973, Seo-hwan has over 50 acting credits and has starred in several renowned K-dramas such as Gangnam B-Side, Daily Dose of Sunand Woo Extraordinary Lawyer. Many would also recognize him from his portrayal of Tailor Kinoshita on Apple TV+. Pachinko. The actor has also appeared in several South Korean films, including 2023 The boys and 2024 Handsome guys.

Notable Lee Seo-hwan Movies and TV Shows

Film/Program

Paper

Vigilant

Kwak Chan Hyung

I love all games

Kim Shi-bong

Deliver us from evil

Yeong-bae

Pachinko

Kinoshita Tailor

In squid game In the first season, Lee Seo-hwan only appears as Jung-bae in two episodes, and his character doesn't seem to have much significance in the series' overarching plot. Season 2, however, promotes him to a much more prominent role as one of the competitors. Jung-bae is Gi-hun's loyal friend and a kind-hearted player who wants to help everyone.

Why Jung-bae joins Squid Games in Season 2

He is driven by the same reasons as Gi-hun from the first season

When Jung-bae meets Gi-hun at the games, Gi-hun asks him what he is doing there and where his wife is. Jung-bae reveals that he is divorced and that his son is with his wife. When he asks if he had an affair, Jung-bae stops him and says they should talk about their personal lives later. In squid game In Season 2, Jung-bae finally hints that, like most of the other contestants in the games, he is drowning in debt, and even 20 million won won't be enough to pay your interests.

squid game the first season showed that Jung-bae was no less addicted to gambling than Gi-hun. He even lost money on the track when he appeared on the show's first episode. This could mean that, like Gi-hun, Jung-bae lost all his money due to his gambling addiction, which ultimately led to his wife and son abandoning him. Like all the contestants in the games, he is also desperate to make quick money so he can pay off his loans and get his family back on track.

Why Squid Game Season 2 Brought Back Lee Seo-Hwan's Character

Jung-bae's return adds more personal stakes to Gi-hun's journey


Jung-bae and Gi-hun looking at the piggy bank in Squid Game Season 2

To In style, squid game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed that he wanted to bring back a character from season 1 and have him be one of the contestants in the games. The director was happy that Lee Seo-Hwan's character met these conditions, especially since it made sense for Jung-bae to be in a bad financial situation.

Gi-hun's desire to take care of Jung-bae also reflects his desperation to find redemption later squid game events of season 1.

Moments after Gi-hun encounters Jung-bae at the games, he asks him to follow his example to ensure nothing happens to him. Although Gi-hun wants to save all the competitors involved in the games by completely ending the event, he feels more protective of Jung-bae because he knows him personally. Gi-hun's desire to take care of Jung-bae also reflects his desperation to find redemption later squid game events of season 1.

Source: In style