Squid Game Cast Apologizes Amidst Controversies, Overshadowing Show's Promotion

Spotlight on Entertainment: Unraveling the Latest in Hollywood

The promotional event for 'Squid Game' turned into a series of apologies rather than a discussion about the show. During the Season 3 interviews, Park Gyu-young (Noeul) took center stage with her apology, following the footsteps of Park Sung-hoon (Hyun-joo) and T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun, Thanos) from Season 2.

On November 2, Park Gyu-young addressed the spoiler controversy during the 'Squid Game 3' interview. She expressed gratitude to the press for attending despite the hot and humid weather and apologized for her past actions, stating, "I am grateful for this opportunity to speak sincerely and openly." She then bowed deeply to the reporters.

Previously, Park Gyu-young faced backlash for posting behind-the-scenes photos from 'Squid Game 2' on her social media, which inadvertently revealed key plot points involving actor Lee Jin-wook (Kyung-seok). This incident became a significant spoiler for 'Squid Game 3'.

Park Gyu-young admitted, "There is no excuse. It was entirely my fault. There were no security measures like sealed phone pouches on set, but we were advised to be cautious." She apologized to the fans and the production team for the oversight.

The interview, lasting 50 minutes, was dominated by discussions of Park Gyu-young's spoiler controversy, with apologies and explanations taking precedence.

Similarly, during the Season 2 interviews, Park Sung-hoon and T.O.P faced their own controversies. Park Sung-hoon was criticized for sharing an inappropriate image on social media, which resembled 'Squid Game' but featured explicit content. Despite multiple apologies from his agency, BH Entertainment, the controversy persisted. During a subsequent interview, Park Sung-hoon tearfully apologized for his mistake.

Park Sung-hoon appeared visibly distressed, having not groomed his hair and looking gaunt. He repeatedly drank iced Americano to maintain his composure. He wept for 20 minutes, expressing regret for overshadowing the hard work of many with his mistake.

He explained, "I found the image through a DM and was shocked. I intended to share it with a manager but mistakenly posted it. I feel ashamed and can't bear to look at my phone." His emotional apologies shifted the focus away from the show to his personal controversy.

T.O.P, who had been out of the spotlight since his 2016 marijuana conviction, returned for 'Squid Game' Season 2. During his interview, he meticulously prepared notes and expressed remorse for the impact of his past actions on his band, Big Bang.

He stated, "I caused irreparable harm to Big Bang. I can endure criticism alone, but I couldn't let my actions continue to affect the group. I decided to leave the band in 2020 and still feel a lifelong regret." His sincere apology resonated, despite the absence of tears.

Reflecting on his career, T.O.P added, "I have no regrets. I lost my 30s, but I had a glorious 20s. However, I realize I caused disappointment and pain to many."

The interviews, overshadowed by apologies, left little room for discussing the show's production or the actors' unique characters. This focus on personal controversies rather than the highly anticipated 'Squid Game 3' is regrettable.

Despite Park Sung-hoon's memorable performance in Season 2 and 3, he did not participate in the interviews, leaving fans wanting more. He is set to star in JTBC's 'Efficient Meeting of Singles', while Park Gyu-young will appear in Netflix's 'Mantis'. Fans hope for future projects free from controversy, allowing the actors to share genuine insights about their work.

Reported by Ryu Ye-ji, TenAsia ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr