Did Lee Jung-jae convince the producers of Squid Game Season 2 to cast a good friend? The Star Wars: Acolyte actor’s agency has addressed rumors that Lee helped former BIGBANG member Choi Seung-hyun aka T.O.P land a role in the Netflix series.

Earlier this week, Netflix announced eight more actors who will be joining Squid Game Season 2. The new cast members included Park Gyu-young, Jo Yu-ri, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Lee Jin-uk, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won, and Won Ji-an.

Although fans were delighted to learn that T.O.P is returning to acting, others thought that the casting was dubious and were convinced that lead star Lee Jung-jae convinced the producers to cast Choi Seung-hyun in Squid Game Season 2.

Since then, Lee Jung-jae’s agency Artist Company released a statement addressing the rumors.

“Some of the reports that claim actor Lee Jung Jae was involved in the casting of Squid Game 2 are not true,” the statement read. “The casting of a project is the authority of the director and the production company.”

“In particular, actor Lee Jung Jae understands more than anyone that due to the great interest in Squid Game 2, many actors work hard to make an appearance, and [the cast members] are decided through audition,” it continued.

“Accordingly, we would like to reiterate that it is not true that actor Lee Jung Jae was involved in the casting of Squid Game 2,” the statement concluded.

It was previously confirmed that ZE:A member Yim Siwan, Park Sung-hoon (The Glory), Kang Ha-neul (The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure), and Yang Dong-geun (Connect) will also join Squid Game Season 2. Their roles in the series are still undisclosed.

Squid Game Season 2 will bring back Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, and Gong Yoo. The second season has not yet been given an official release date but is already expected to premiere on Netflix in 2024