While everyone is still on a Squid Game high, actor Carlo Aquino dropped a shocking revelation: he was almost part of the hit series. How did this happen or not happen? Why were we robbed of seeing Aquino wear a green tracksuit and fight for his character’s life? And more importantly, which role could he have played in Squid Game?
Carlo Aquino and his missed opportunity
Everyone’s lives have been hampered by the pandemic in one way or another. For Aquino, it was the reason why he missed an opportunity to be part of the hit series Squid Game.
Aquino took to Instagram stories to share a handwritten note he received from the series’ director Hwang Dong-hyuk. “Dear Carlo, Thank you for your efforts. Looking forward to working with you in the near future,” it read.
“This was supposedly a role for #SquidGame,” the actor lamented in his stories caption.
A year ago
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Beatrice Candaza reshared Aquino’s IG story and told everyone that he couldn’t film because “travel restrictions happened.” Candaza, who is the sister of Aquino’s partner, Trina, also shared that the pair had planned to stay in Korea for a few months in 2020 supposedly during filming.
This wasn’t the first time Aquino posted about the handwritten note. He uploaded the same one back in June 2020. It seems like he’s been carrying this secret since a year ago.
Which role could he have played?
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Have you guessed which role would fit Aquino if he ever did make it to set? Trina said that her longtime boyfriend could’ve been player No. 199 or Ali. She expressed her support: “I’m still proud of you @jose_liwanag! Isipin ko na lang ikaw si Ali.”
In an interview, Aquino also confirmed that he auditioned for the part of ‘Ali’ by shooting five scenes from the series via his phone cam. Unfortunately, the pandemic got in the way.
The role of ‘Ali’ was filled by Indian actor Anupam Tripathi. In the series, Ali was a Pakistani immigrant who joined the survival game hoping to win the money to provide for his family.
There would’ve been two Filipinos in the cast
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Although Aquino didn’t make it, there was actually a Filipino in the cast. Pinoy actor Christian Lagahit was Player 276. Lagahit told CNN Philippines that he initially auditioned for the role of ‘Ali,’ just like Aquino. But although he didn’t make it, the production still cast him as part of the series for a different role. He appears in episode four of Squid Game where the players are forced to participate in a deadly game of tug of war.
Aside from Squid Game, Lagahit was also part of other South Korean productions such as The Negotiation (Son Ye Jin, Hyun Bin) in 2018 and Space Sweepers (Song Joong Ki) in 2021.
More opportunities for Carlo Aquino soon
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It would’ve been such a treat to see Aquino take part in the series, donning his own green tracksuit. But just like Beatrice Candaza said in her post, “I’m sure there would be more opportunities.” If Squid Game will be renewed for a second season (it has to happen, right?), maybe that’s a perfect second chance for Aquino. Fingers crossed travel restrictions will be a little bit better by then.
Where else can you watch Carlo Aquino?
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Even if Aquino didn’t get to snag that role, there are plenty more movies and series where you can watch him. There’s Exes Baggage (2018) where he starred alongside former beau Angelica Panganiban, Meet Me in St. Gallen (2018) with Bela Padilla, Ulan (2019) with Nadine Lustre, and Isa Pa With Feelings (2019) with Maine Mendoza. You can also watch him play more serious characters like his role as Col. Vicente Enriquez in Heneral Luna (2015) and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (2018).
Is Squid Game worth watching?
The short answer is yes. South Korean Netflix series Squid Game will root you to your seat in suspense. 456 cash-strapped players join a survival game where they have to play a series of children’s traditional games with a deadly twist. The prize? KRW 45.6-B (PHP 1.9-B). And if survival series like these are what floats your boat, you can check out other series with the same twisted premise.
Where can you watch Squid Game?
You can watch the nine-episode Squid Game on Netflix. Since the show was released on September 17, it has been a permanent No. 1 fixture in the Philippines’ Top 10 shows daily.
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