Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk recently provided insights into a pivotal scene from season 2 that features a bread roll and a lottery ticket. The season’s opening episode follows Gi-hun, portrayed by Lee Jung-jae (Player 456), as he seeks to re-enter the perilous games he previously survived. To achieve this, he attempts to locate The Salesman, a character played by Gong Yoo, who is actively preying on the gullible and those in financial distress. One particularly chilling tactic employed by The Salesman involves offering victims a disturbing choice between a loaf of bread or a scratch-off lottery ticket.
In a recent discussion with RadioTimes.com, Hwang was inquired about the motivations behind The Salesman’s cruel game, especially toward vulnerable individuals like the homeless. According to Hwang, The Salesman’s life experiences have contributed to a deep-seated self-hatred, which he expresses through his treatment of others:
I believe that Gong Yoo’s character [the Salesman] is someone who lived a difficult, tough, rock-bottom life, just as much as those that are depicted as the homeless people in the series.
And he is someone who is so filled with self-hatred, it is expressed in the hatred he harbours for other humans. And by hating these people, he believes that he is different from them. [He is] showing and expressing his hatred for the people who choose lottery tickets instead of bread, almost as if he’s trying to escape his own self-loathing nature.
Hwang also commended Gong Yoo’s versatility as an actor, recognizing him for various roles, including his celebrated performance in Train to Busan. He highlighted how Gong’s portrayal significantly enhanced the tension-filled interaction between Gi-hun and The Salesman:
While Gong Yoo has a brief appearance in Squid Game, I think it was very impactful and I was very much in awe of his performance.
Implications of The Salesman’s Return in Squid Game
A Climax of Tension
Despite his smaller role in the initial season, The Salesman takes center stage in the second season. He ensnares characters pursuing him on Gi-hun’s behalf, engaging in a deadly game of Russian Roulette. Their confrontation reveals chilling revelations about The Salesman’s past, including the act of killing his father. However, Gi-hun, focused on the true masterminds behind the games, remains largely detached from The Salesman’s story.
The climax sees The Salesman take his own life after losing a round to Gi-hun, a moment reminiscent of the shocking demise of iconic characters in horror films. This specific scene strives to deliver a visceral impact, particularly for those acquainted with Gong Yoo’s portfolio, marking it as a highlight in a season that has been met with mixed feedback yet is characterized by escalating tension.
Reflections on The Salesman’s Return
A Promising Opening
The anticipation for Squid Game season 3, slated for release in 2025, raises expectations, especially as the second season winds down, narrating only part of Gi-hun’s quest for vengeance. The effective return of The Salesman, brilliantly portrayed, suggests that the series might have been even more impactful if maintained that level of engagement consistently throughout its run.
Source: RadioTimes.com
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