‘Beef 2’ Director Lee Sung Jin
Korean American director Lee Sung Jin, who led the success of Beef three years ago, has returned with the second installment, Beef 2, released on Netflix on the 16th. In an interview, he expressed gratitude for the strong support from the Korean American community.
“This project is the result of the hard work of all the actors and crew involved,” Lee said. “The support and interest from the Korean American community gave us tremendous strength.”
Following the first season, Lee once again explores the theme of identity in Beef 2. He explained that rather than delivering a specific message, he focused on naturally reflecting his own experiences and reality.
“As a writer, you tend to write about what you’ve learned and experienced,” he said. “Many of the writers involved, including myself, come from minority backgrounds, so we tried to reflect that naturally in the story. It’s not something special—it’s simply a reflection of who we are today.”
Actor Charles Melton plays Austin, a supporting character who works as a trainer at a country club and becomes entangled in the conflicts of a married couple, helping drive the narrative.
Addressing the nickname “the artistic son of Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho,” Lee dismissed it as excessive praise. He noted that he simply admires both directors and has learned from their work.
“I don’t think I’m anywhere near their level,” he said. “But I’ve learned a lot from their films. Personally, I’m a big fan of Bong Joon-ho’s Mother.”
Lee also emphasized that the characters in Beef 2 were designed to reflect people audiences encounter in real life. “We built each character based on direct or indirect experiences,” he said.
Recently, Lee met with aspiring filmmakers through the Korean American filmmakers’ network KALH. “When I graduated from college, there weren’t many communities like this,” he said. “It’s meaningful to connect with the next generation and support their dreams.”
To young Korean Americans hoping to enter the entertainment industry, Lee offered simple advice: “Even if it’s something small, become a professional at what you do. It’s not about becoming famous—it’s about having the passion to express yourself.”
He added, “What you value becomes your source of strength. When that is combined with your talent, everything else will follow.”
Beef 2, an eight-episode series, features a new cast and storyline, set in a luxury country club and exploring modern desires such as money and power. The series has also drawn attention for featuring Korean actors including Youn Yuh-jung and Song Kang-ho.
