Actor Lee Jung-jae / Courtesy of Netflix

Actor Lee Jung-jae, returning in "Squid Game" Season 2, says he feels deep empathy for the character Seong Gi-hun, describing him as a complex individual full of contradictions.

"Of all the characters I've played, Gi-hun is the most heartbreaking. He is frustratingly stubborn and a selfish figure at decisive moments," the 52-year-old veteran actor said during an interview in Seoul on Thursday. "I question whether he can ever truly recover from the trauma he's experienced. It's a painful thought to portray," he added.

Despite his flaws, Lee, believes that Gi-hun is a necessary character, reflecting a certain aspect of humanity.

"I think our society needs people who, like Seong Gi-hun, have the courage to act on their conscience and do what's right, even when it's challenging," he said. He suggested that Gi-hun's survival in Season 1 was the result of his inherent goodness.

The most significant plot change in the second season of this global megahit series, released on Dec. 26, is the transformation of Gi-hun. Once weak and naive, he has evolved into a vengeful and determined individual. In the first season, he was forced to kill others to survive.

However, after winning the deadly game and experiencing its horrors, he is now driven by a thirst for revenge. He seeks to uncover the mastermind behind the dystopian survival competition that pushed desperate people to their deaths — and ultimately bring an end to this cruel "game."

When asked why Gi-hun still doesn't suspect the identity of Player 001 in Season 2 — now played by the Front Man in charge of the game — despite the first season's plot twist, where the old and frail Player 001, Il-nam, was revealed to be one of the masterminds who created the games, the actor said that this was exactly what made Gi-hun who he was.

"I'm not here to justify the viewers' reactions or explain our intentions. Season 3 will provide clarity to many of the questions fans have," Lee said, upping the expectations for the series, which made him the first Korean actor to win an Emmy Award for Best Actor in a Drama. Lee clinched the award for his role in the first season of "Squid Game" in 2021.

Lee added that Gi-hun's journey is far from over. "I'm eager for the audience to see how he evolves from this low point. He enters a deadly game with the hope of saving lives. Despite his efforts to lead, he faces numerous setbacks and ultimately hits rock bottom. It will be exciting to see how he will overcome these challenges," he said.

He also expressed his gratitude for the immense love "Squid Game" Season 2 received upon its release. "I'm so thankful. It's a highly anticipated work, and with large-scale promotions in various countries, I wondered if expectations were getting too high. Although I felt a bit of pressure, I was also grateful for the opportunity to introduce Korean content to the world on such a large scale," Lee said.

Lee, who debuted in 1993 with the SBS teen drama "Dinosaur Teacher" and later shot to global stardom with "Squid Game," affectionately referred to the series as his life's work and Gi-hun as his most memorable character.