The «Squid Game» actor speaks to Newsweek about working in Hollywood, his upcoming K-drama roles and nearly becoming a K-pop star.
Squid Game actor Wi Ha-jun, who plays detective Hwang Jun-ho, shot to international fame following the unprecedented global success of the engrossing Netflix K-drama. Not only he has accumulated over 9 million followers on Instagram (including Dan Levy, Jimmy Fallon and French fashion designer Olivier Rousteing, the creative director of the luxury fashion house Balmain), he’s wooed fans with his impeccable acting skills and built physique, recently showcased across the pages of Men’s Health Korea. But Wi’s newfound fame may only just be the beginning of an even brighter future ahead, with his sights set on Hollywood—possibly even as the next James Bond. Speaking to Newsweek in his first interview with a major U.S. publication, Wi explained: «If given the opportunity, I would definitely love to work in Hollywood.» Asked which Hollywood directors he’d love to work with most, the actor revealed: «It’s too difficult to name one, as there are so many amazing directors. «But I like action films, so I’d love to work with directors doing films like the 007, Mission Impossible as well as Fast and the Furious movies,» Wi said. Before the physicality involved with this genre becomes too demanding, the actor said: «I want to try as many action films as I can and showcase that type of acting. «But it would also be nice to play to my rural island roots [Wi hails from Wando, an island/county in the South Jeolla province of South Korea] and try a role that requires using a bit of local dialect and accent.» The Squid Game star has come a long way from his humble beginnings when he «didn’t even have money for bus fare» as an aspiring actor.
