Why is Ryu Jun Yeol Not in Believer 2? Who is Ryu Jun Yeol?
by Nithya A | Updated Nov 27, 2023
Why is Ryu Jun Yeol not in Believer 2?
In making Believer 2, the filmmakers tried their best to bring back the original cast, but Ryu Jun Yeol and Jin Seo Yeon couldn't join. In the first movie, Ryu Jun-Yeol played the role of Seo Young Rak, a small-time drug dealer. However, in the sequel, this character is now portrayed by Oh Seung Hoon.
The reasons for the cast change are unclear, but considering the five-year gap before the film's release on Netflix, it's possible that Ryu Jun-Yeol had moved on to other projects and couldn't participate in filming. Fans on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), expressed their disappointment about this change.
Who is Ryu Jun Yeol?
Ryu Jun-yeol, born on September 25, 1986, is a versatile South Korean actor, activist, and photographer. His acting journey kicked off in independent films, and he gained widespread recognition with his breakthrough role in the highly acclaimed TV series Reply 1988 (2015–2016). This show became the highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history at that time, earning Ryu several Best New Actor Awards in South Korea.
Renowned as a prolific Chungmu-ro actor, Ryu has graced the big screen in blockbuster hits like The King (2017), A Taxi Driver (2017), Little Forest (2018), Believer (2018), Money (2019), The Battle: Roar to Victory (2019), and The Night Owl (2022).
Throughout his career, Ryu has garnered numerous accolades, receiving nominations for prestigious awards such as Baeksang Arts Awards, Blue Dragon Film Awards, Buil Film Awards, Chunsa Film Art Awards, London East Asian Film Festival, and New York Asian Film Festival.
Beyond his contributions to the film industry, Ryu actively participates in social and environmental activism. Forbes Korea has acknowledged his influence by consistently featuring him as one of the most powerful celebrities in South Korea, ranking fourteenth in 2017, thirty-sixth in 2018, and eleventh in 2019.
Name:
Ryu Jun Yeol
Date of Birth:
September 25, 1986
Place of Birth:
Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Nationality:
South Korean
Occupation:
Actor, Model
Debut:
Film: "Socialphobia" (2015)
Notable Works:
"Reply 1988," "Lucky Romance," "Money," "A Taxi Driver"
Believer 2
Believer 2 is a 2023 South Korean action crime film directed by Baek Jong-yul. This movie serves as a sequel to the 2018 film Believer and features a cast including Cho Jin-woong, Cha Seung-won, Han Hyo-joo, Oh Seung-hoon, Kim Dong-young, and Lee Joo-young. The storyline centers around Won-ho's investigation to find "Rak," who disappeared after Brian's arrest, unraveling the mysteries of a secretive drug cartel. The film premiered at the 28th Busan International Film Festival on October 5, 2023, in the 'Korean Cinema Today - Special Premiere' section. It is set to be available for streaming on Netflix from November 17, 2023.
However, keen-eyed fans might notice a notable absence in the sequel – Ryu Jun-yeol. Wondering why he's not in Believer 2 and who took over his role?
After the success of the first film in theaters, Netflix swiftly gave the green light for the sequel. The story picks up with Won-ho searching for Rak (played by Jun-yeol), who disappeared after Brian's arrest.
Believer 2 Release Date
The movie premiered at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in the 'Korean Cinema Today - Special Premiere' section on October 5, 2023. It can be streamed on Netflix starting November 17, 2023, in selected regions.
Believer 2 maintains the established themes, delivering intense violence and gore for fans while also addressing some unanswered questions from the first movie. In a surprising twist, it becomes clear that, despite heavy implications in Believer, Rak and Mr. Lee were not the same person. This narrative shift makes Ryu Jun-yeol's absence felt in the sequel's storyline.
Believer 2 Cast
Cho Jin-woong
Jo Won-ho
Cha Seung-won
Brian Lee
Han Hyo-joo
Big Knife
Oh Seung-hoon
Seo Young-rak
Actors
Characters
Why is Ryu Jun Yeol not in Believer 2 - FAQs
Ryu Jun Yeol is not in Believer 2 due to undisclosed reasons, leading to the casting of Oh Seung Hoon in his previous role.
Oh Seung Hoon replaced Ryu Jun Yeol in Believer 2, taking on the character originally portrayed by Ryu Jun Yeol.
As of now, there are no official statements explaining the reasons behind Ryu Jun Yeol's absence in Believer 2.
No, Believer 2 is a fictional action crime film and not based on a true story.
Believer 2 premiered on Netflix on November 17, 2023, in selected regions.