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 inSquid Gameseason 2 but also as G-hun’s friend, raising many questions surrounding his history with the protagonist. Even thoughSquid Gameseason 2 has a shorter runtimethan 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 andLee Jung-jae’s Gi-hungo way back.
AsSquid Gameseason 2’s main storylinebegins, 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. AsSquid Gameseason 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 inSquid Gameseason 1.
Why Squid Game Season 1 Was So Popular
Squid Game season 1 was a global sensation and the biggest show on Netflix, and there were a variety of reasons it got so popular in the first place.
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 arrivedand 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 thegames inSquid Gameseason 1,Gi-hun never met Jung-bae again because he was busy plotting his revenge plan while living in complete isolationwith 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
Lee Seo-hwan plays Jung-baein bothSquid Gameseasons. Born on Jun 27, 2025, Seo-hwan has over 50 acting credits under his belt and has starred in several renowned K-dramas, likeGangnam B-Side,Daily Dose of Sunshine, andExtraordinary Attorney Woo. Many would also recognize him for his portrayal of Tailor Kinoshita in Apple TV+‘sPachinko. The actor has also appeared in several South Korean movies, including 2023’sThe Boysand 2024’sHandsome Guys.
Pachinko
Tailor Kinoshita
InSquid Gameseason 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 roleas 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
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. InSquid Gameseason 2, Jung-bae finally hints that, like most other competitors at the games, he is drowning in debt, andeven 20 million won will not be enoughto pay off his interests.
Lee Seo-hwan made his acting debut in 2010 withKBS Drama Special.
Squid Gameseason 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
ToInStyle,Squid Gamecreator 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.
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 afterSquid Gameseason 1’s events.
Source:InStyle
Squid Game
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.
