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Season 2 of the hit series « Family Matters »welcomes a major new face. Park Byung-eun has officially confirmed his participation in the sequel to the original thriller by Coupang Play, marking an important turning point in the casting dynamic.
With this new chapter, the production also makes a notable change: Park Byung-eun will take over from Ryu Seung-bum, who will not be reprising his role in the new season.
A series that has become a mainstay of Coupang Play
Broadcast in 2024, the first season of Family Matters was a resounding success. The thriller told the story of a mother endowed with the power to edit memories at will, who joins forces with her family to inflict ruthless justice on criminals. It was hailed for its brutal, emotional approach to a blended family, bound not by blood but by choice and survival.
Within just one week of its release, the series had seen its audience leap by over 225 %, topping the platform's charts in terms of viewers and viewing volume. On the strength of this success, Coupang Play quickly gave the green light for a Season 2.
The main actors of the first season (Bae Doona, Baek Yoon-sik, Lomon and Lee Soo-hyun) will reprise their roles.
A new key character for season 2
Park Byung-eun will play Baek Cheol-yong, a new character presented as a positive figure. His role will be distinct from that of Baek Cheol-hee, previously played by Ryu Seung-bum, which is already raising questions about the possible links between these two characters.
Actor renowned for his ability to navigate intense and ambiguous roles, Park Byung-eun has established himself as a «trusted actor» with audiences over the years. Since his debut in 2000, he has made his mark in such works as Assassination, The Great Battle, Arthdal Chronicles and Kingdom, consolidating an eclectic career spanning film, television and OTT platforms.
Over the past few months, he has been working on a number of projects, alternating dark characters with more nuanced figures. His arrival in Family Matters 2 suggests a new dramatic intensity for this eagerly-awaited sequel.
The production is due to start shooting shortly, after final casting adjustments. Direction will be handled by Kim Jung-min, who succeeds the directors of the first season.
