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Netflix’s violent Korean drama Squid Game has turned into an unexpected global phenomenon, and recently became the most successful show in the streaming giant’s history. But not all elements of the hit show were met with acclaim — Squid Game’s English-speaking “VIP” characters faced backlash from casual viewers and critics alike, who overwhelmingly criticized the actors’ performances. In a new Guardian interview, the four VIP actors opened up about the experience of receiving widespread, not-so-good recognition… and receiving some interesting requests.
“I suffer from extreme clinical depression, so it’s been a bit of a challenge,” said Daniel C. Kennedy, who plays VIP two. “Initially, I was gutted by the comments but, with time and distance and some honest self-reflection, I’ve been better able to filter the feedback into the stuff I can use to improve next time, versus the stuff that is bound to come when you’re part of a project that gets global recognition.”
Geoffrey Giuliano, the author-turned-actor who plays VIP four (aka the guy who asks Wi Ha-joon’s Detective Hwang Jun-ho to remove his mask and clothes), had a more positive reaction. “I ain’t complaining, baby! I’m in the hottest show in the world,” he said. “I got fanmail. Just today I got a woman who said: ‘Send me your autograph.’ So I did, and two hours she sent me a photo where she had ‘Geoffrey Giuliano, VIP four,’ tattooed across her forearm.”
Giuliano added that since Squid Game premiered, he’s also received “some sexual invitations, from males and females.”
John D. Michaels, who played VIP one, wanted to dispel the myth “that they just pick us [westerners] up off the street.”
He also explained why some of the VIPs’ dialogue may sound stilted to viewers. “It’s different for every show, but non-Korean performers often act with dialogue that is translated by a non-native — sometimes even by Google Translate — so it can sound unnatural,” Michaels said. “And we often don’t have the scripts for the rest of the show. We are only given our scenes, so we have no idea of the tone.”
Squid Game is now streaming on Netflix.
