South Korean actor Jeon Seok-ho has become a familiar face to global audiences, thanks to his memorable performance in the hit Netflix series Squid Game. While many recognize him from the survival drama, he is currently starring in the new legal fantasy series Phantom Lawyer, showing his range as a performer. For viewers wondering about his place in the Squid Game universe and what he is doing now, here is a breakdown of his role and his latest work.
Who Did Jeon Seok-ho Play in Squid Game
Jeon Seok-ho took on the role of Choi Woo-seok in the second season of Squid Game, which premiered in December 2024. His character is a key figure in the storyline outside the deadly competition. Choi Woo-seok is a former detective who gets hired by the main character, Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae), to help track down the mysterious Recruiter, often called the Slap Man, portrayed by Gong Yoo.
Woo-seok mission takes him and his partner, Representative Kim (played by Kim Beop-rae), deep into the city subway systems. They work tirelessly to find any clue that could lead them to the people running the games. His role is crucial in setting the tense tone for the season, as his pursuit puts him directly in the path of danger.
His Key Scenes in the Opening Episodes
The actor performance created some of the most talked-about moments in the early episodes of season two. After being captured by the Recruiter, Choi Woo-seok and Gi-hun are forced into a high-stakes game of Russian roulette. The tension then escalates into a deadly version of rock-paper-scissors, where the loser faces a gun to their head.
Viewers praised Jeon Seok-ho for his ability to switch between portraying a determined investigator and a man visibly terrified for his life. His character near-death experience and the loss of his partner in this encounter become a major motivation for him to continue helping Gi-hun expose the organization in later episodes.
A Veteran Actor with a Long Career
While Squid Game brought him international fame, Jeon Seok-ho has been a steady presence in Korean film and television for years. He made his screen debut in the 2000 film Just Do It. His breakthrough came in 2014 with the critically acclaimed series Misaeng: Incomplete Life, where he played a memorable supporting role.
He has since built an impressive filmography, often taking on supporting roles that add depth to the story. Fans of the zombie period drama Kingdom will recognize him as the timid but good-natured magistrate Jo Beom-pal. He also appeared in the popular action film The Roundup: No Way Out alongside Ma Dong-seok.
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His Current Role in Phantom Lawyer
Today, audiences can see Jeon Seok-ho in a completely different light. He is part of the main cast of Phantom Lawyer, a new K-drama that premiered on March 13, 2026. The series blends legal drama with supernatural fantasy.
In Phantom Lawyer, he plays Yun Bong-su, the brother-in-law of the main character Shin I-rang, who is played by Yoo Yeon-seok. The drama follows a timid lawyer who gains the ability to see and get possessed by ghosts, using their help to solve cases. The series airs on SBS in South Korea and is also available for streaming on Netflix in regions including India, the USA, and other global territories, with new episodes releasing weekly.
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