DespiteTrain to Busan’s unbeaten reputation, oneSquid Gameactor just made it look more impressive than ever. Yeon Sang-ho’s acclaimed movie remains at the top of theall-time best fast zombie movieseven eight years after its release.Train to Busanfollows a group of passengers on a train ride from Seoul to Busan as they fight to survive a fast-spreading zombie virus. With a special focus on a workaholic businessman and his estranged daughter, the film delivers heart-rending moments that mix perfectly with the blood-curling horror.
Going from a neglectful father to a relentless protector and hero, Seok-woo’s transformation is one of the mostincredible performances in Korean horror movies. Actor Gong Yoo, who playsThe Salesman inSquid Game’s cast, isTrain to Busan’s anchor, delivering an affecting story of redemption with all the excitement of a zombie movie.After Gong’s stand-out (and terrifying) participation inSquid Game’s season 2, audiences might want to check out one of his best rolesand watchTrain to Busan.

Watching Train To Busan After Gong Yoo’s Squid Game Performance Makes It Even Better
Gong Yoo’s Train to Busan Performance Is Even More Brilliant When Compared to The Salesman
Though Gong Yoo’s season 1 performance was already intriguing,The Salesman steals every scene in episode 1 of season 2 ofSquid Game. His elegant yet unnerving behavior leaves a lasting chill, making one reflect on the talented actor’s other projects and roles. A popular performer in South Korea,Gong Yoo stars in many great movies and K-dramas, which include his acclaimed performance in the zombie hit. RevisitingTrain to Busan, a masterpiece in the zombie genre, feels even more thrilling after seeing him inSquid Game.
InTrain to Busan, Gong plays the character of Seok-woo, a flawed yet relatable father striving to protect his daughter during a zombie outbreak. The actor’s nuanced portrayal of a man torn between self-preservation and selflessness has long resonated with audiences. It is responsible for elevating the franchise that now hints at aTrain to Busan 3movie.WatchingTrain to BusanafterSquid Gameallows the opportunity to experience the film and Gong’s emotional range with fresh admiration, adding a layer of excitement to an already brilliant film.

Gong Yoo’s Character In Train To Busan Couldn’t Be More Different From The Recruiter
Seok-woo Fights To Regain His Humanity While The Salesman Surrenders It
ThoughSquid Gameseason 2 gives The Salesman a lingering humanity disguised behind his sadistic demeanor, Gong’s character in one of thebest South Korean zombie moviesis completely the opposite. While one is a terrifying villain, the other becomes the movie’s ultimate hero. On the surface, Gong’s Seok-woo is an accomplished fund manager who neglects his daughter. However, the life-threatening zombie apocalypse exposes his deep-seated vulnerability and conflicted human nature. Ultimately, he metamorphoses into someone willing to risk everything to protect his allies and daughter.
With The Salesman, the actor had limited screen time to explore a darker and sinister role for the first time, and yet he managed to become a standout character even before The Salesman’s backstory was explained inSquid Game.

Thus, The Salesman and Seok-woo couldn’t be more different — one is a mysterious man committed to an exploitive game of life and death, while the other is a man fighting to rediscover his humanity. With The Salesman inSquid Game, Gong showcases his ability to shift between contrasting roles. Devoid of a transformation, and having found a purpose and acknowledgment in his sadistic job,theSquid Gamerecruiter is no ordinary businessman like Seok-woo.He is a victim of necessity who surrendered his soul to the system that condemned him.
Squid Game Was Surprisingly Gong Yoo’s First Time Playing A Villain
Gong Yoo’s Impressive First Villain Performance Sets Him Up For Bigger And Darker Roles
Actor Gong Yoo as The Salesman in Squid Game season 2.
Gong’s brief yet striking role as The Salesman inSquid Gamemarked a surprising milestone in his career. Known for his emotionally compelling and heroic roles in films likeTrain to Busan,The Age of Shadows,and dramas likeGoblin,Squid Gamewas the first time Gong played a villain. With The Salesman, the actor had limited screen time to explore a darker and sinister role for the first time, and yet he managed to become a standout character even beforeThe Salesman’s backstory was explained inSquid Game.

You Probably Haven’t Watched This Amazing Prequel To One Of The Best Zombie Movies Ever
Train To Busan is considered to be one of the best zombie movies but it also has an equally amazing prequel that is not as well known but should be.
With an acting career that spans over 23 years, and includesTrain to Busan, the fact that The Salesman is Gong’s first villain must no doubt be due to his strong charisma. After he proved his ability to transition into darker territory inSquid Gameseason 2,Gong Yoo has exciting future Netflix projectsand is set to get more opportunities to be the bad guy, hopefully in a main role. For all that,Gong Yoo’s tear-inducing performance inTrain to Busanis now all the more impressive after witnessing the actor’s cold-blooded recruiterinSquid Game.

Train to Busan
Cast
Train to Busan is a South Korean action-horror film released in 2016. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, it centers on passengers aboard an express train from Seoul to Busan during a sudden zombie outbreak. As the virus spreads, the survivors must navigate the chaotic and dangerous environment to reach safety.
Squid Game
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.