Gong Yoo has always been a fan favorite, but his role in Squid Game 2 might be his most unforgettable performance yet.

The actor, known for his warm-hearted characters, takes a dark turn this time, showing a side of him no one expected. With his chilling portrayal of the "Ddakji Man", fans and critics alike are buzzing about his Emmy potential.

In the first episode of Squid Game 2, Gong Yoo takes center stage. His character, the infamous Ddakji Man, returns as the gatekeeper to the deadly games, challenging participants with the slap-or-cash game of ddakji. But this time, his role is much bigger—and much darker.

From handing out bread and lottery tickets to the homeless at Tapgol Park to orchestrating a nerve-wracking game of Russian roulette, Gong Yoo’s transformation into a cold, calculating villain is nothing short of breathtaking.

One haunting scene shows him crushing loaves of bread in front of desperate onlookers, mocking their choices and delivering a line that leaves chills: "You’re the ones who wasted this bread."

His unhinged nature reaches a peak during a Russian roulette game, where his wide, darting eyes and sinister smile steal the scene. Taunting his victims and reveling in their fear, Gong Yoo brings a level of madness that is both terrifying and captivating.

The tension only grows when the Ddakji Man faces Seong Gi Hun (played by Lee Jung Jae) in a final, high-stakes duel. Their showdown is a heart-pounding moment that cements Gong Yoo’s performance as one of the series’ highlights.

Known for his more virtuous or morally complex roles in the past, Gong Yoo completely embraces this evil character. His portrayal of the psychopathic Ddakji Man has viewers praising his versatility, with some even calling it Emmy-worthy.

Fans are raving about his performance, with one commenting, "I’ve never seen Gong Yoo like this before—it’s mind-blowing!" Another said, "Why did it take so long for him to play a villain? He’s incredible."

Whether he snags an Emmy or not, one thing is clear: Gong Yoo’s performance in Squid Game 2 is a masterpiece that will be talked about for years to come.

Source: [1]

Choi Si Hoon, known from Single’s Inferno and newlywed husband of singer Ailee, is facing backlash after being linked to a controversy from Wavve’s queer reality show ToGetHer.

Fans discovered that Choi is allegedly the CEO of the influencer agency representing Ri Won, a cast member now at the center of a growing scandal.

The situation started when castmate Han Gyeol spoke up, claiming Ri Won once suggested an overseas trip that felt more like a shady meeting than a casual hangout.

“I thought it was a fun vacation invite at first,” Han Gyeol said, “but when they started talking about meals and date-like things, I realized something was wrong. It felt like an inappropriate setup.”
Han Gyeol added, “Using someone’s sexuality as a shield for suspicious actions is not okay in this industry.”

Ri Won responded by saying it was all a misunderstanding and that the trip was mentioned casually during a conversation about food. “We joked about going to that country after talking about food,” Ri Won said.

However, things got more intense when Ri Won admitted to having a past as a 'beotbang' (adult streaming) BJ. “I know I’m not trustworthy right now, and I appeared on TV while hiding my past. That’s why I shared some proof—I was desperate,” Ri Won explained.

Ri Won also shared a blurred message from another cast member that accused them of fake dating and lying about knowing someone from Billboard. “You said you’d introduce me to a Billboard contact. Then give me their name and title,” the message read. “You just keep switching your targets.”

Ri Won replied, “He’s the team leader at Billboard Korea and also my influencer agency CEO.”
This comment led online users to dig deeper—and some claimed the CEO Ri Won mentioned is none other than Choi Si Hoon, Ailee’s husband.

Currently on his honeymoon with Ailee, Choi is now getting unwanted attention. Some netizens brought up his alleged past as an adult BJ and now, his possible involvement in this controversy.

On Ailee’s Instagram post from April 30, one fan wrote, “Unnie, sorry to bother you during your honeymoon, but please search Choi Si Hoon’s name. A female BJ said she’s signed to his company, and he supposedly arranged a meeting for her with a just-turned 19-year-old girl.”

As the issue grew, Ri Won spoke out again on May 1 to calm things down. “The person I mentioned in the messages was just someone who gave me advice,” Ri Won clarified. “He’s not my agency CEO, like some people assumed. I thought he could help with music, but he never made any business offer.”

Ri Won ended by saying, “I’m sorry for causing any confusion and discomfort to others with my personal remarks.”

So far, Choi Si Hoon and Ailee have not made public statements about the situation.

Source: [1]