‘Squid Game’: Oh Yeong-su Was Worried About His Age Compared to His Younger Cast Members
Squid Game is still one of the most talked-about K-dramas ever since its Netflix premiere in 2021. K-drama fans have seen its main cast in works before, as many are some of South Korea’s most distinguished actors. Actors like Park Hae-soo and Lee Jung-jae are veterans, as well as Squid Game supporting actor Oh Yeong-su. The actor has been acting for over 50 years but admits he was worried about starring in the drama because of his age.
Oh Yeong-su joined ‘Squid Game’ due to guilt toward director Hwan Dong-hyuk
South Koreans or fans of Korean entertainment likely know the name Oh Yeong-su outside of Squid Game. He has had a long and impressive career spanning over five decades. After such a career, what led Oh to want to take up the role of Il-nam in Squid Game? During Netflix’s FYSEE panel, Oh explains how he came to star in the now globally famous K-drama.
“As for why or how I joined Squid Game, it was actually a proposal by Director Hwang. And before joining Squid Game, he had actually suggested or proposed a different role in a different piece, and I wasn’t able to take part in that. So I always felt a little bit indebted, I felt sorry for Director Hwang. So when he approaches me with this role in Squid Game, I very happily joined,” said Oh.
Oh’s decision to work with Hwang led to one of the biggest roles in his career. The actor is grateful the K-drama has allowed him to become an “international actor.” Oh’s role as Il-nam led him to win the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a TV drama. Since Squid Game, Il-nam’s life has changed, but he keeps his wisdom about life.
The actor worried about his age difference with the rest of the cast
Oh Yeong-su is the oldest cast member and among the characters in Squid Game. The actor was born in 1944 and was in his mid to late 70s during the drama’s filming and success. Speaking to Netflix, the cast was asked how they influenced each other’s experiences.
Oh says seeing an elderly actor play an elderly character is “seldom.” But there was one concern Oh had starring in Squid Game. “And one of the concerns that I had upon joining Squid Game how everyone besides me was of a much younger age and less experienced than I was. And I was concerned as to will I really be able to become a part of this group creating the series?”
Next to Oh, the oldest cast member is Lee Jung-jae, 49. But there is still an almost 30-year age gap between Oh and Lee. The actor expresses his gratitude toward his co-stars, who were “actively inviting to me” and made it easier for him to adapt.
“And I think that it was thanks to the results of that effort that led us to create this global phenomenon that is Squid Game,” said Oh. The actor hopes future projects show the “co-existence of the old and the young.”
Oh Yeong-su became ‘Squid Game’ most loved and hated character
The South Korean actor starred as Il-nam or Player 001. Among the 465 players, Il-nam was the only older man and stood out from the start. Due to his age, many other players refused to become his partner over fear that he would cause them to lose the childhood games. Seong Gi-hun was the only one who had the compassion to help him.
Fans soon came to love the kind relationship between Il-nam and Gi-hun and sympathized with the older man. In the marbles game, fans were heartbroken to see his demise as he lets Gi-hun win the game to survive. Squid Game’s biggest twist came in the finale when it was revealed that Il-nam is the Game’s creator.
There were clues hidden in plain sight. After years of watching as a spectator, he joined the games and wanted to feel young again before his death.
