By KTimes

Actor Kang Ae-sim has become a defining "K-mom," moving audiences worldwide with her authentic portrayal of maternal love in "Squid Game" Season 2, drawing from her real-life experience as a mother.

Kang plays Geum-ja in Season 2, a mother who enters the game to pay off her son Yong-sik's (Yang Dong-geun) gambling debts. Without an agency, Kang maintained a low profile throughout her career since debuting in 1981 with the play "The Next." Her lack of social media presence has left international fans curious.

In a recent interview, Kang reflected on the series, saying, "It was incredibly fun. I read the script in one sitting — it was that gripping. The director is a genius, and the storyline flowed seamlessly. The characters were diverse yet believable, and there wasn’t a dull moment. It keeps you on edge, pulling at your emotions."

When asked if she felt pressure following the success of Season 1, Kang responded, "There wasn’t time for pressure — just happiness. Being part of such a massive project was overwhelming. I worked hard, even practicing the 'gonggi' games, though I needed CGI help for my stiff right hand despite all my efforts." Gonggi is a Korean game where players throw and catch small stones, traditionally played with round stones.

Kang dreams of staying onstage as a lifelong actor, a goal that grounds her amid newfound fame. Describing her current spotlight as "a bubble," she added, "I try not to cling to it. I see it as water flowing. If I were younger, I might’ve enjoyed it more, but I feel fortunate to have reached this stage at my age."

Kang also dismissed the idea of pursuing an international career, citing her lack of familiarity with English. She added, "I don’t think I could become a global star, but I could manage if I were to act in Korean."

Kang admitted she hesitated before joining "Squid Game" Season 2. Showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk, impressed by her past performances, was confident she could embody Geum-ja. Kang drew from her experience as a mother to create a layered portrayal of a woman fighting for her son. However, the emotional intensity of navigating life-and-death stakes was a challenge.

The casting of Yang Dong-geun as her son eased her concerns. "When I learned he was cast, I told the director I couldn’t ask for more blessings. I’ve been a fan since 'Do It Your Way' (2002). I even joined his fan club back then," she shared, revealing her excitement.

Praising Yang, Kang said, "He has a pure, kind energy. We clicked so well that we didn’t need much direction. His dialogue and emotions resonated, creating synergy between us."

Kang immersed herself in the role, saying, "I approached the game with the mindset that failure meant death. That focus gave me energy, as if I was living inside the screen. It was a surreal experience."

Kang and Hwang had extensive discussions about Geum-ja’s emotional depth. They aimed to portray her not just as a self-sacrificing mother but as a deeply human character, grappling with fear and survival.

Addressing comparisons to Oh Young-soo’s character in Season 1, Kang said, "Oh Young-soo was incredible, but there’s no comparison. His character carried the weight of the story, while mine is entirely different. I thoroughly enjoyed the scene where I got to yell at the immensely renowned and celebrated Lee Byung-hun. It was so thrilling," she added with a laugh.

Kang added, "Hwang and I connected well. He didn’t give me specific directions, but when I improvised, he embraced it. It felt like we shared the same understanding of the character."

One of the series’ most memorable moments features Geum-ja tearfully singing "Round and Round." Lee Byung-hun likened her performance to Gong Li’s in the Chinese film "Red Sorghum" (1988), praising her deeply moving portrayal.

Kang recalled, "Lee Byung-hun’s compliment was overwhelming. We even reshot that scene to add more fear to my goodbye. It’s unforgettable."

Though physically demanding, Kang’s deep immersion in her character carried her through. "This project pushed me to new limits," she said. "The scale of promotion and everything that followed made me think, ‘I’m really doing this.’ It was an incredible journey."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.