‘Squid Game’ star Anupam Tripathi reveals love of Blackpink, tear-filled early days in Korea
By Bryan Ke
Anupam Tripathi, fan favorite of the massively popular Netflix series “Squid Game,” revealed he is a fan of Blackpink in an episode of MBC’s “Home Alone.”
They are ONE: In the episode, which aired on Oct. 22, the 32-year-old Indian actor was seen on camera firing up his sound system and playing Blackpink’s “How You Like That,” according to Soompi.
- This scene prompted comedian Park Na-rae to ask Tripathi if he’s a fan of the girl group, to which he answered, “Of course!” When asked who his favorite Blackpink member is, Tripathi said, “You can’t say that. Blackpink is one.”
- Tripathi danced to the hit song as the show’s hosts laughed at his comedic antics on screen. He also struck a pose similar to the one Blackpink did during a live performance.
Formative years in South Korea: Earlier in the episode, Tripathi shared some of the struggles he overcame after he left home to study acting at the Korea National University of Arts.
- The actor, who arrived in South Korea in 2010, explained that he lived in the university’s dorms for four years before moving to a rooftop house, where he stayed for three and a half years. He then returned to the dorms and stayed there for three years before moving into his current house.
- During his early days in the country, he admitted he cried a lot. “In the first three months, I had food and everything around me was beautiful, but I cried all the time,” he said. “I cried while studying Korean. At the time, everything felt uncertain, and I was uneasy.”
- “Everyone has a hard time, so I don’t know about that, but I tried to get through the hardships with at least some happiness and joy,” Tripathi said in his reply to Park Na-rae, who commented on the difficulties Tripathi must have experienced while living alone overseas for 11 years.
- The actor also expressed his desire to play different roles in a series of other genres, including dramas and comedies. He also wants to “wear a suit like James Bond and do action scenes.”
Special guests: The “Home Alone” episode also featured Tripathi’s actor friends, Park Ju-yun and Park Pyung-o, who helped him during his time studying Korean.
- “I immediately became comfortable with them because they always said that I could do it,” he said about his friends. “I don’t think I could have endured it if they weren’t there. I was able to hang on because I had friends like them with me. They looked up words in the dictionary and tried to explain to me in English. Even after 11 years, they’re a great source of support.”
- “Meeting people is like receiving a gift each time,” he continued. “I learn about the stories they have. To me, they are like gifts.”
Featured Image via MBCentertainment
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