Actor Im Si-wan could be cast in the second season of “Squid Game,” according to a local media outlet Thursday.

StarNews reported Thursday that Im has been cast as the lead of the second season of “Squid Game.”

According to the report, Im will star along with Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun in the highly anticipated second season of the Netflix series.

However, Netflix and Im’s agency Plum A&C both did not confirm the report, with Netflix saying, “We cannot confirm anything about the season two casting at this point.”

The second season of “Squid Game” reportedly has a budget of more than 100 billion won ($77.8 million) and began filming this summer with plans to be released around Halloween next year.

“Squid Game” swept streaming service charts when it was released in 2021 and became a worldwide sensation, garnering critical acclaim and various awards.

The survival drama series told the story of hundreds of cash-strapped contestants who participate in children’s games for a prize of 45.6 billion won.

Im, who debuted as a member of the boy band ZE:A in 2010, rose to prominence for his acting roles in such hit TV shows as MBC’s “Triangle” (2014) and tvN’s “Misaeng” (2014). Most recently, he starred in the Netflix film “Unlocked.” Im is set to star in the upcoming sports film “Road to Boston,” planned for release in September.

To find out more about Im Si-wan, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY JEONG-WON LIM [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]