Why 'Squid Game' Season 3 Interviews with Lee Byung-hun, Park Sung-hoon, and Lee Jin-wook Won't Happen

Fans of Netflix's 'Squid Game' will miss out on behind-the-scenes stories from BH Entertainment actors Lee Byung-hun, Park Sung-hoon, and Lee Jin-wook as their interviews for the final season have been canceled. The anticipation for these insights was high, especially since this marks the series' conclusion.

The finale of 'Squid Game' Season 3 was released on the afternoon of the 27th. Hearing directly from the main actors is a unique way for viewers to engage with the series. However, Lee Byung-hun, Park Sung-hoon, and Lee Jin-wook will not participate in the interviews.

Lee Jin-wook's character, Kyung-seok, is a portrait artist at an amusement park, desperately in need of money to care for his daughter battling leukemia. He joined the game to cover her medical expenses. In Season 2's finale, Kyung-seok was shot during a rebellion but survived, leaving fans eager to hear more about his story in Season 3. Unfortunately, Lee Jin-wook will not be available for interviews as he is preparing for his next project, 'Esquire: Lawyers Dreaming of Lawyers,' set to premiere on JTBC on August 2. The drama follows rookie lawyer Hyo-min, played by Jung Chae-yeon, as she grows under the mentorship of the cynical yet skilled partner lawyer Seok-hoon, played by Lee Jin-wook. A representative from his agency stated, "Lee Jin-wook is preparing for his next project, 'Esquire.' After much consideration, he decided not to proceed with the interviews."

Lee Byung-hun, who played the pivotal role of the Front Man, is also busy with his next project and will not participate in the 'Squid Game 3' interviews. His agency mentioned, "He did interviews during Season 2 and is currently focused on preparing for the film 'No Choice.'"

'No Choice' is a new film by director Park Chan-wook, featuring Lee Byung-hun as Yoon Man-soo, a satisfied office worker who suddenly gets laid off. The story follows his struggle to protect his family and home while preparing for his own battle to re-enter the workforce. Lee Byung-hun plans to focus more on his schedule and upcoming projects.

Park Sung-hoon, who plays Hyun-joo, a key character in Season 3, will also not participate in the interviews. Hyun-joo, a transgender former special forces soldier, is a significant character developed by director Hwang Dong-hyuk. Despite this, Park Sung-hoon's absence from the interviews is speculated to be due to the controversy over an AV concept cover during Season 2, which featured women in tracksuits reminiscent of 'Squid Game' in a provocative manner.

Following the controversy, Park Sung-hoon expressed regret in an interview, focusing more on addressing the issue than discussing the project. Although he won't be part of the 'Squid Game 3' official interviews, he will return to the screen in JTBC's new drama 'Efficient Meeting of Single Men and Women,' based on the Naver webtoon by Tari. The drama explores the journey of a woman who decides to find love, meets two intriguing men on a blind date, and ultimately discovers the true meaning of love.

While the actors are busy with their upcoming projects and schedules, fans of 'Squid Game' are understandably disappointed not to hear directly from them.

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