"Righteous Thieves" returns with a new season after three years alongside actors Song Kang-ho and Youn Yuh-jung. From the director, it draws attention by emphasizing the sentiments of Korean-American diasporas even more strongly.
Netflix held a virtual press conference for the original series "Righteous Thieves 2" on the morning of the 7th. Director Lee Sung-jin, who directed the series, and actor Charles Melton attended and spoke with domestic reporters.
"Righteous Thieves 2" is a drama that depicts a fierce power struggle at a country club frequented by the privileged class after a young couple witnesses a shocking fight between an executive and his wife, with persuasion and pressure exchanged among the two couples and the club owner, a Korean billionaire. In season 1, released in 2023, many Asian American actors such as Steven Yeun, Ali Wong and Joseph Lee appeared, drawing attention by dealing with the stories of Korean Americans. Returning after three years, season 2 is expected to show another story with Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton and also Korean actors Song Kang-ho and Youn Yuh-jung appearing.
Regarding this, director Lee Sung-jin said of "Righteous Thieves 2," "I am very excited. We put a lot of effort into season 2. We put more effort than into season 1. If you think of Radiohead, the first album received enormous love and there were many reactions to see how good the second album would be, and actually the second album was better. We tried to give that kind of emotion."
In particular, he explained, "If season 1 dealt with the stories of Korean Americans, in season 2 I wanted to deal with people with roots in Korea like Charles. I wanted to tell a story about tugging at one's identity, so I wanted to address conflicts involving Korea's chaebol world and the other side. I also wanted to deal with differences in Western and Eastern education, so I have very high expectations."
Charles Melton said, "I also have very high expectations. It feels like returning home to tell a Korean story. I also lived in Korea for about six years when I was young. My mother is Korean American, and I became a U.S. citizen at age 11. I was moved and greatly inspired that this story was written. I'm glad to be part of a production that covers a variety of stories."
He continued, "I usually like the works of directors Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho and films such as ''Memories of Murder'', ''Oldboy'', ''Parasite'', ''Mother'' and ''The Man from Nowhere'', and director Lee Sung-jin seems like their artistic son," praising him and adding, "Director Lee Sung-jin seems to bring Korean cinematic art into fiction. That art has no limits. He talks about humanity revealed there by likening it to capitalism, not just identity. I'm grateful he gave me space to act in a role that connects with those roles and my Korean roots."
Director Lee Sung-jin said about the message of "Righteous Thieves 2," "Season 1 was a story of lonely, isolated people. They were so lonely that they were characters with little will to participate in life. It ended thinking that perhaps they could find life together, and season 2 is a sibling-like story that continues that spirit of season 1. It is a story about what happens after finding someone you might be able to live with. Even after finding someone, living life is not easy. 2026 is especially like that. In a situation where capitalism runs rampant and social systems pressure the middle class, season 2 can inherit season 1's spirit of finding how to live under those pressures."
Meanwhile, Charles Melton said about his motivation for joining the work, "Austin touches a part of me. I developed the character through conversations with the director. Austin is a very kind person. He is diligent. But as he and his partner move past the sweet early stages of dating, he reinvents the relationship and rediscovers the roots of his Korean identity. He comes to realize that the points he believed were his identity were wearing masks. He often puts others' interests before his own and struggles over doing the right thing and doing things for others, and as he realizes that caring for another person, like a partner, does not necessarily lead to his own benefit, he awakens to complex and subtle emotions."
Director Lee Sung-jin said about the casting of Youn Yuh-jung and Song Kang-ho, "For this season I wanted to include much more of Korea and have Korea be the largest part. In fact, around that time Korea's presence in my life grew larger. After season 1 I traveled to and from Korea and shot a music video for BTS member RM, which gave me a chance to glimpse and participate in the lives of Korea's upper class."
He added, "I attended what was probably an elementary school in Seongnam-dong, Korea. After that, mixing with K-pop idols and chaebol CEOs, that world was so fascinating. I wanted to include more of those elements, so I wanted to blend them more into Austin. While at it, I set the goal at the highest level and wanted to work with seniors Youn Yuh-jung and Song Kang-ho, who could be called the greatest actors not only in Korea but on earth."
He said, "Honestly, at first Song Kang-ho declined. He said he wasn't sure the role suited him or if he could do it. Upset, I told Youn Yuh-jung, and she contacted Song Kang-ho and persuaded him, saying, 'You are Song Kang-ho, you're a top actor, you can do it.' I was so grateful," emphasizing, "In fact, I couldn't imagine this role being played by any actor other than Song Kang-ho."
He also said with a laugh, "When we were shooting in Korea, filming the scene at the Amorepacific building where Song Kang-ho and Youn Yuh-jung both appear was the career-high moment for my work. Director Bong Joon-ho came to the set and nudged my side, saying, 'Are you going to shoot it like this?' That moment will remain in my memory for a very long time."
Charles Melton recalled about filming with Song Kang-ho and Youn Yuh-jung, "I owe a great debt to director Lee Sung-jin. I was able to act with such great actors. Just being able to face the performances of Youn Yuh-jung and Song Kang-ho had tremendous presence. I felt humility during preparation and the working process. There was a take where Song Kang-ho looked at me and smiled, causing a flub, and that was the best moment of my career. Acting with senior Youn Yuh-jung was like magic."
He went on, "In that process it was so cool to unfold director Lee Sung-jin's story. They are the greatest actors, and when news spread that we were acting together my whole family was so happy. They were so thrilled that I was working with Korea's legends."
Furthermore, director Lee Sung-jin said about the themes he wanted to newly convey in season 2, "Season 2 begins with two young couples in young, early love and two couples whose relationships have passed a certain period. It evolves in a way that shows not only love but various stages of life. Four couples appear and represent the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. When writing something in 2026, I could not omit themes that stand out so prominently before us, such as capitalism and class conflict. They became a kind of big umbrella to include in season 2 while exercising restraint."
Finally, he said, "The parts we filmed in Korea will remain moments I will never forget in my life. I want to go back quickly and do much work in Korea. I feel great pride thinking about how much the small Korean peninsula has achieved culturally for the world. We only hope to continue that. I hope Korean audiences feel proud," he said. Charles Melton also added, "I am Charles Melton and I am truly proud to be Korean."
[Photo] Provided by Netflix.
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