Player (Korean: 플레이어) is a South Korean television series starring Song Seung-heon, Krystal Jung, Lee Si-eon, Tae Won-seok, Oh Yeon-seo, and Jang Gyu-ri. The first season aired on OCN from September 29, to November 11, 2018, every Saturday and Sunday at 22:20 (KST). The second season aired on tvN from June 3, to July 9, 2024, every Monday and Tuesday at 20:50 (KST).
Contents
Synopsis
Season 1
The story about the four talented individuals in their respective fields who create an elite team to solve crimes in partnership with a righteous prosecutor. Together, they confiscate black money and make sure that those who earn money through crimes will be arrested.
Cast and characters
Main
Song Seung-heon as Kang Ha-ri / Choi Soo-hyuk
A veteran conman from a family of investigators who was born bold and gifted with words.
Krystal Jung as Cha Ah-ryung (season 1)
A skilled driver who grew up in an orphanage after being abandoned by her parents.
Lee Si-eon as Lim Byung-min
A talented hacker who had a past with Chairman Chun.
Tae Won-seok as Do Jin-woong
A powerful fighter who had accidentally worked for "that person".
Oh Yeon-seo as Jeong Soo-min (season 2)
An assistant to Ha-ri and the team's watcher.
Jang Gyu-ri as Cha Jae-yi (season 2)
Ah-ryung's younger sister who is also a skilled driver. Her real name is Cha Hae-ryung.
Supporting
Kim Won-hae as Prosecutor Jang In-gyu
The prosecutor who teamed up with Ha-ri and his team.
Ahn Se-ho as Investigator Maeng Ji-hoon
Lee Hwang-ui as Yoo Ki-hoon
Kim Jong-tae as "that person" (real name: Yeon Je-seok)
A consultant and power broker for politicians.
Kwak Ja-hyung as Cheon Dong-seob
Huh Joon-ho as Choi Hyun-gi
Ha-ri's father and former team leader of Special Corruption Division.
Yoo Ye-bin as Cho Yeon-hee
A doctor and the only person who knows Ha-ri's past.
Others
Min Joon-hyun as Team Leader Shim Dal-soo
Kang Min-tae as gangster
Kim Hyung-mook as Na Won-hak
The corrupt president director.
Lee Hwa-ryong
Min Joon-hyun
Kim Sung-cheol as Ji Sung-gu
Lee Chung-mi as Yang Hae-joo
Jin Mo as Wang Seob
Kim Seo-kyung as Mike
Special appearances
Yoo Seung-ho as a security guard (Ep. 1)
Hong Seok-cheon as a driving instructor (Ep. 1)
Wang Ji-hye as Ryu Hyun-ja (Ep. 7–8)
Kang Hye-won as Mi-woo (Season 2, Ep. 2)
Nana as Eun-na (Season 2, Ep. 5)
Lee Soo-hyuk as Mr. Myeong (Season 2, Ep. 6–7)
Yoon Ji-on as Kim Soo-chan (Season 2, Ep. 7)
Heo Sung-tae as Lim Sang-sik (Season 2, Ep. 8–9)
Lee Sung-kyung as a mysterious woman (Season 2, Ep. 12)
Production
Early working titles of the series were Hustle (허슬) and Round (판; Pan).
On July 12, 2022, it was announced that the series would return with second season in the second half of 2023, under the title Player: War of Gamblers (플레이어: 꾼들의 전쟁; Peulleieo: kkundeurui jeonjaeng). On January 27, 2023, it was reported that filming was scheduled to begin in March 2023, and actresses Oh Yeon-seo and Jang Gyu-ri were in talks for the main roles. In January 2024, it was officially announced that the second season is included on tvN's 2024 drama line-up.