K-pop stars T.O.P, Jo Yu-ri join cast of ‘Squid Game 2’
(From left) Choi Seung-hyun or T.O.P, Jo Yu-ri. Images: Instagram/@choi_seung_hyun_tttop, Instagram/@netflixkcontent
K-pop fans are in for a treat as former BigBang member T.O.P and soloist Jo Yu-ri are cast in the sequel of the hit series “Squid Game,” which will premiere sometime in 2024.
T.O.P, also known as Choi Seung-hyun, and Jo will join actors Park Gyu-young, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Lee Jin-uk, Roh Jae-won, and Won Ji-an, according to an announcement from Netflix Korea on Thursday, June 29.
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The streaming platform also confirmed that Lee Jung-jae (Seong Gi-hun), Lee Byung-hun (Front Man), Wi Ha-jun (Hwang Jun-ho), and Gong Yoo (recruiter) will also be reprising their roles in the sequel.
Photos of the returning cast during the sequel’s table reading were shared on the platform’s official Instagram page on the same day.
“Absolutely ready to be swept away again by this returning cast. Here’s Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, and Wi Ha-jun at the table reading for SQUID GAME SEASON 2,” its caption read.
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Meanwhile, Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon, and Yang Dong-gun will presumably be the leads of “Squid Game 2,” as a video of them pressing at what seemed to be a game button was revealed on the platform’s fan event.
Behind-the-scenes images of their table reading were also posted on Instagram.
“Peep some new faces at the table reading of SQUID GAME SEASON 2: Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Park Sung-hoon, Jo Yu-ri, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, and Lee Jin-uk. (And we’re wishing only good things to happen to their character),” the caption said.
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Choi debuted as the lead rapper and vocalist of BigBang in August 2006, which became one of the biggest groups of K-pop’s second generation. He debuted as a solo artist in 2010 with the single “Turn It Up,” and later as a member of sub-unit GD & TOP.
Last month, he confirmed to fans that he left the group to pursue his solo career.
Meanwhile, Jo Yu-ri debuted as the main vocalist of South Korean-Japanese girl group IZ*ONE in October 2018. She previously joined the survival shows “Idol School” in July 2017 and “Produce 48” the following year, the lattermost which she ranked as third.
Following IZ*ONE’s disbandment in April 2021, she debuted as a soloist with the album “Glassy” in October of the same year. EDV
