Lee Dong-wook returns with expanded action and deeper character in 'A Shop for Killers' Season 2

Lee Dong-wook is back as the enigmatic Jinman in the highly anticipated second season of Disney+ series 'A Shop for Killers.' The action drama, which garnered international acclaim including a spot on The New York Times' Best TV Shows list, continues the story of Jinman and his niece Jian as they navigate a dangerous world of assassins and secret weapon markets.

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The action styles of each character are different. Japanese actors wield two long swords, some use daggers, some use pistols, and some primarily use strength. We expressed unique action skills that capture each character's personality like a game.

Season 2 picks up after Jinman, presumed dead, returns to protect Jian. Together, they face off against the formidable mercenary group 'Babel.' Lee Dong-wook highlighted the series' distinctive action sequences, noting how each character possesses a unique fighting style, akin to a video game. He also pointed to the introduction of new threats, including humanoid combat robots and a one-on-one showdown with Jinman's nemesis, Veil.

"We started with the pressure that Season 2 must be better than Season 1," Lee Dong-wook shared during a recent interview. "Otherwise, there's no point in Season 2 existing, so we prepared with all our might." He emphasized the expanded scale of the new season, with Jinman and Jian confronting new enemies while Jian undergoes significant growth. Jinman, in turn, acts as a mentor, guiding Jian's development with his unwavering resolve.

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We started with the pressure that Season 2 must be better than Season 1. Otherwise, there's no point in Season 2 existing, so we prepared with all our might.

To embody Jinman's seasoned mercenary persona, Lee Dong-wook gained approximately 8 kilograms, aiming for a more robust physique. "I asked for time to gain weight," he explained. "My usual weight makes me look too thin, but Jinman shouldn't look frail after his long career as a mercenary and killer." He strived to portray Jinman as an unshakeable pillar, showcasing his signature clean action style, and hinted at a rarely seen brutal side emerging later in the season.

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My usual weight makes me look too thin, but Jinman shouldn't look frail after his long career as a mercenary and killer.

The new season also features Japanese actors Masaki Okada and Hyunri as key members of 'Babel.' Lee Dong-wook praised their dedication, noting their intensive training in Korea for months prior to filming. "They were worried because action was new to them, but seeing them constantly at action school and doing weight training at home eased my concerns," he said. He urged viewers to anticipate how the Japanese villains of the East Asian branch will target Jinman and Jian, and how Jinman will retaliate.

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They were worried because action was new to them, but seeing them constantly at action school and doing weight training at home eased my concerns.