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Updated May 2026

When this article was first published in September 2024, Park Gyu Young and Im Siwan were about to take on two of Netflix’s biggest Korean productions.

Both shows have now aired.

Here is the full story, how the performances landed, what critics said, and what both actors are doing next.

Park Gyu Young And Im Siwan: The Netflix Projects That Changed Everything

Park Gyu Young and Im Siwan entered 2024 as two of South Korea’s most promising actors.

By the end of 2025, they had both starred in global Netflix productions that reached audiences in over 90 countries.

Here is a complete look at their journey, from anticipation to reality and what comes next.

Mantis (Netflix, September 2025): Park Gyu Young Steps Into A Thriller

Mantis, the Netflix action thriller and spin-off of Kill Boksoon, was finally released on September 26, 2025.

Park Gyu Young stars as Shin Jae-yi, a former training partner and rival to the titular character Mantis, in the film directed by Lee Tae-sung, alongside Yim Si-wan and Jo Woo-jin.

The film follows a string of copycat murders mimicking the crimes of a notorious serial killer.

In a chilling twist, the original killer offers to help police track down the copycat, but only if her estranged son leads the investigation.

As a spin-off of Kill Boksoon, the film brought back the brutal, stylized action that Korean cinema has come to be globally celebrated for.

Park Gyu Young’s performance was widely noted as one of her strongest to date, a psychologically layered role that demanded an emotional range far beyond that of her earlier work in Sweet Home and Celebrity.

Squid Game Season 2 (Netflix, December 2024): Im Siwan As Player 333

Im Siwan gained international recognition for his role in the second and third seasons of Squid Game.

In Season 2, which premiered on December 26, 2024, Im Siwan played Player 333, a character who enters the games owing heavy debt after running a cryptocurrency scam.

His ex-girlfriend, Player 222, is also in the games and is pregnant with his child, setting up one of the season’s most emotionally charged dynamics.

The critical reception of his performance was strong.

Reviewers noted that Im Siwan delivered a top-tier performance and was among the standout performers of the season alongside Park Sung Hoon.

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics described Squid Game Season 2 as thrilling and addictive.

However, it lacked the element of surprise, with diabolical challenges and a strong moral outlook keeping the sophomore season compelling.

Park Gyu Young also appeared in Squid Game Season 2 and Season 3, further cementing her status as one of Netflix’s go-to Korean actresses.

What Are They Doing In 2026?

Park Gyu Young: Fall In! Love + Unfriend

Netflix confirmed in April 2026 that Park Gyu Young will star alongside Park Hyung Sik in a new office romance series titled Fall In! Love.

The show tells the story of an outdoor camping brand CEO whose former military superior joins his company as a rookie.

Park Gyu Young plays Woo Ami, a brave special forces officer once known as “Viper” who is building a new civilian career.

The series will have 12 episodes, with filming running until late September 2026 and an expected release in the second half of 2027.

Park Gyu Young is also set to appear in Unfriend, a crime mystery series for TVING, co-starring Kim Seon-ho.

Filmed in 2023, the series was delayed until a 2026 launch.

Im Siwan: Music Comeback + Squid Game Season 3

On October 13, 2025, it was officially announced that Im Siwan would make his solo debut with SMart, an affiliate label of SM Entertainment, marking his return to music after years focused on acting.

In November 2025, he signed with The Black Label.

He is also confirmed to appear in Squid Game Season 3, which is currently in production.

Why These Two Matter For Korean Entertainment

The journeys of Park Gyu Young and Im Siwan reflect the broader rise of Korean content on the global stage.

Both actors have moved beyond supporting roles to anchor major international productions.

Their choices, psychological thrillers, socially charged dramas, and genre-bending action, reflect a Korean entertainment industry that no longer plays it safe for global audiences.

With Fall In! Love

Love, Unfriend, Squid Game Season 3, and Im Siwan’s music career are all in play for 2026 and 2027, and all remain among the most compelling names to watch in Korean entertainment.

Quick Facts

Park Gyu Young: Born July 27, 1993, Busan. Known for Sweet Home, Celebrity, Mantis, Squid Game Seasons 2 & 3
Im Siwan: Born December 1, 1988, Busan. Known for The Attorney, Misaeng, Squid Game Seasons 2 & 3
Mantis: Released September 26, 2025, on Netflix
Squid Game Season 2: Released December 26, 2024, on Netflix
Fall In! Love: Filming 2026, expected release 2027 on Netflix