Loved The Recruiter in Squid Game Season 2? Here are 3 must-watch K-dramas starring Gong Yoo

South Korean actor Gong Yoo rose to international fame with his role as The Recruiter in Netflix's Squid Game Season 2. While the actor is a famous name in the K-drama industry, with popular titles like Train to Busan and Coffee Prince, he gained international stardom in Netflix's breakthrough series.

The Recruiter charmed the audience's hearts with his intense performance in the Season 2 premiere, which ended tragically as he shockingly shot him in front of Gi-hun.

While the actor will likely not return for the show's final season, here are some K-dramas starring Gong Yoo that you can watch.

3 K-dramas to watch if you loved Gong Yoo in Squid Game Season 2.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the author's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.

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3 must-watch K-dramas of Squid Game Season 2 star Gong Yoo

1) The Trunk

Netflix's psychological K-drama The Trunk, which debuted in November 2024, is based on Kim Ryeo-ryeong's novel of the same name. The show follows Han Jeong-won (Gong Yoo), a man haunted by his parents' violent past and the betrayal of his ex-wife.

After a trunk mysteriously washes up on a shore, a secret marriage service is revealed, and Jeong-won is forced to enter into a contract marriage with Noh In-ji (Seo Hyun-ji). Still haunted by his disturbing past, Jeong-won is caught up in a web of psychological manipulation and trauma as he is forced to revisit his past.

If you liked Gong Yoo's The Recruiter's mysterious personality in Squid Game Season 2, his character in The Trunk perfectly aligns with it. The show also explores dark themes, and fans of his character in the show will truly enjoy his performance in The Trunk.

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2) The Silent Sea

Another Netflix K-drama, The Silent Sea, is a sci-fi dystopian show that debuted on the platform in December 2021. Based on director Choi Hang Yong's short film of the same name, the show follows a near-future Earth where the planet is suffering from extreme desertification and the last remnants of the water supply are parceled out according to people's social status.

As their last resort, a team is sent to the moon to quench humanity's thirst and save them. The mission to harvest water on the moon is led by Doctor Song Ji-an (Bae Doona), an astrobiologist, and Han Yoon-jae (Gong Yoo), the team leader.

While The Silent Sea has quite different themes from Squid Game Season 2, Gong Yoo still shines as a team leader who leads his team on an important space mission, and you will surely enjoy his performance.

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3) Guardian: The Lonely and Great God/Goblin

Talking about Gong Yoo's K-dramas and not mentioning Goblin would be a shame. International audiences might recognize Yoo's talents as The Recruiter from Squid Game Season 2, but he will always be Goblin for K-drama lovers.

Before he got international recognition, Gong Yoo's breakthrough role came in tvN's fantasy K-drama Goblin in 2016, where he played the titular role. The story revolves around Kim Shin, a goblin cursed with eternal life, who has been looking for his bride for 900 years, who will pull out the sword and end his eternal torment.

Goblin is the perfect watch if you want to see a different side of Gong Yoo than Squid Game Season 2. The actor shines in intense and comedic moments equally. His chemistry with other characters will make you rewatch the drama repeatedly.

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