Who Is Jung-bae? Gi-hun’s Friend In Squid Game Season 2 Explained

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Squid Game season 2, episode 3.

Lee Seo-Hwan's Jung-bae is not only introduced as one of the main players in the games in Squid Game season 2 but also as G-hun's friend, raising many questions surrounding his history with the protagonist. Even though Squid Game season 2 has a shorter runtime than its predecessor, it does not hold back from featuring a whole new roster and ensuring that viewers are invested in the story beats of multiple characters. Among all the new characters, the one who stands out is Lee Seo-Hwan's Jung-bae because he and Lee Jung-jae's Gi-hun go way back.

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

Jung-bae First Appeared In Squid Game Season 1 As Gi-hun’s Longtime Friend

Jung-bae Showed Up In Two Squid Game Season 1 Episodes

Gi-hun and Jung-bae's first interaction in season 2, episode 3 hints that they have a long history and were once good friends. As Squid Game season 2 progresses, it becomes evident that, before Gi-hun's greed and desperation to earn a quick buck got the best of him in season 1, he and Jung-bae were close friends. Eagle-eyed viewers may also recall that Jung-bae briefly appeared in Squid Game season 1.

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Set in 2020, Squid Game's season 1 established that Jung-bae operated a pub with his wife. Like Gi-hun, Jung-bae also struggled with gambling addiction and would even visit the horse racecourse with Gi-hun to bet his earnings. In season 1's opening episode, "Red Light, Green Light," Jung-bae was with Gi-hun when the loan sharks arrived and chased Gi-hun down to grab his winnings from the racetrack gambling. In season 1's episode 2, "Hell," Gi-hun met Jung-bae again at his pub when he temporarily returned after the games' first round.

Unfortunately, for Gi-hun, Jung-bae could not sit with him for too long because his wife eventually called him and even reprimanded him for smoking right outside their pub. Despite surviving the games in Squid Game season 1, Gi-hun never met Jung-bae again because he was busy plotting his revenge plan while living in complete isolation with guilt and regret. Little did he know that he would fatefully cross paths with him during his second shot at the games.

Who Plays Jung-bae In Squid Game (Is It The Same Actor From Season 1?)

The Same Actor Plays The Characters In Squid Game Seasons 1 & 2

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Lee Seo-hwan plays Jung-bae in both Squid Game seasons. Born on March 6, 1973, Seo-hwan has over 50 acting credits under his belt and has starred in several renowned K-dramas, like Gangnam B-Side, Daily Dose of Sunshine, and Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Many would also recognize him for his portrayal of Tailor Kinoshita in Apple TV+'s Pachinko. The actor has also appeared in several South Korean movies, including 2023's The Boys and 2024's Handsome Guys.

Lee Seo-hwan's Notable Movies & TV Shows Movie/Show Role Vigilante Kwak Chan-hyung Love All Play Kim Shi-bong Deliver Us From Evil Yeong-bae Pachinko Tailor Kinoshita

In Squid Game season 1, Lee Seo-hwan only appears as Jung-bae in two episodes, and his character does not seem to hold much significance in the show's overarching storyline. Season 2, however, promotes him to a much more prominent role as one of the contestants. Jung-bae is a loyal friend to Gi-hun and a kindhearted player who wants to help everyone.

Why Jung-bae Joins The Squid Games In Season 2

He Is Driven By The Same Reasons As Gi-hun From Season 1

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When Jung-bae runs into Gi-hun at the games, Gi-hun asks him what he is doing there and where his wife is. Jung-bae reveals he got divorced, and his son is with his wife. When he asks him if he had an affair, Jung-bae stops him and says they should talk about their personal lives later. In Squid Game season 2, Jung-bae finally hints that, like most other competitors at the games, he is drowning in debt, and even 20 million won will not be enough to pay off his interests.

Lee Seo-hwan made his acting debut in 2010 with KBS Drama Special.

Squid Game season 1 showed that Jung-bae was no less of a gambling addict than Gi-hun. He even lost money at the racetrack when he appeared in the show's first episode. This could mean that, like Gi-hun, Jung-bae lost all his money to his gambling addiction, which eventually prompted his wife and child to leave him. Like all competitors at the games, he, too, is desperate to earn a quick buck to be able to pay off his loans and get his family back.

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

Jung-bae's Return Adds More Personal Stakes To Gi-hun's Journey

To InStyle, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed he wanted to bring back a character from season 1 and have them be one of the contestants in the games. The director was happy that Lee Seo-Hwan's character met those conditions, especially because it made sense for Jung-bae to be in a bad place financially.

Gi-hun's desire to look out for Jung-bae also reflects his desperation to find redemption after Squid Game season 1's events.

Moments after Gi-hun meets Jung-bae at the games, he asks him to follow his lead to ensure nothing happens to him. Although Gi-hun wishes to save all competitors involved in the games by completely shutting down the event, he feels more protective of Jung-bae because he personally knows him. Gi-hun's desire to look out for Jung-bae also reflects his desperation to find redemption after Squid Game season 1's events.

Source: InStyle