"Did You Charter the Airport? Filming Isn't a Privilege"… Squid Game 2 Faces Power Abuse Controversy Again

Controversy Surrounds Big Bang T.O.P Casting Before Filming
Production Company Apologizes for Discomfort Amid Power Abuse Allegations

Netflix original series 'Squid Game' Season 2 has sparked public backlash by casting T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun), a former member of Big Bang with a drug record, and is now embroiled in a controversy over power harassment at the filming location.

On the afternoon of the 11th, a post titled "Saw a Squid Game 2 staff member acting like filming was a privilege yesterday" was uploaded on the online community Bobae Dream.

The author, Mr. A, wrote, "Yesterday afternoon at Incheon Airport, there were a lot of cameras and it seemed like filming was going on. I saw actor Lee Jung-jae with red hair and realized they were filming 'Squid Game 2.'"

The Netflix original series 'Squid Game 2' has sparked controversy by casting T.O.P (real name Choi Seung-hyun), a former member of Big Bang with a drug-related criminal record. Now, a controversy over power harassment at the filming location has emerged.
[Photo by Netflix]

Mr. A expressed anger, saying, "What was really absurd was that when I tried to use the escalator, a staff member over 180 cm tall and big built was blocking people trying to use the escalator and arrogantly and unpleasantly ordered them to go somewhere else."

He continued, "If they caused inconvenience to Incheon Airport users, they should have politely apologized and asked for understanding while telling people to leave. But that staff member didn’t say a single word of apology and suddenly, in an irritating commanding tone, told people to take the elevator next to avoid 'blocking the way,' which was very infuriating."

Mr. A added, "Even people who were not interested in the filming and just wanted to pass by were very baffled. Is filming a privilege? Ridiculous. They didn’t even rent out Incheon Airport. There have been several controversies before where variety show or drama filming staff were rude to citizens, but I guess that staff member doesn’t know. They caused inconvenience to people but acted so arrogantly and shamelessly."

Directed and written by Hwang Dong-hyuk, 'Squid Game' was released in September 2021 and captivated viewers worldwide, becoming Netflix’s biggest hit ever. As a result, the sequel Squid Game 2 has also attracted attention, but controversies have not ceased, including the casting of Big Bang’s T.O.P, who has a marijuana use record, revealed last month.

Following media reports that filming began this week without T.O.P’s withdrawal, the controversy over power harassment at the filming location has added fuel to public criticism.

In response, the production company issued an official statement saying, "We received reports that citizens experienced discomfort during the filming of Squid Game Season 2 at Incheon Airport on the 10th. We made our best efforts to provide guidance about the situation on site to citizens during the filming process, but we apologize for causing inconvenience." They added, "We sincerely thank the citizens who allowed the filming and will be more cautious in the filming process going forward."

Meanwhile, Squid Game 2 is scheduled for release next year. Along with Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Gong Yoo, and Wi Ha-joon from Season 1, the cast includes Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Lee Jin-wook, T.O.P, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, and Park Gyu-young.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.