Squid Game has become a global phenomenon since it first premiered on Netflix, captivating viewers with its brutal games and biting commentary on social inequality. But while the series has been praised for its intensity and performances, one element has repeatedly drawn criticism: the performances of the English-speaking VIPs.
This controversy has resurfaced with the arrival of Squid Game Season 3, where VIPs once again place obscene bets on the lives of desperate contestants. Many viewers felt their scenes were marred by stilted dialogue and flat delivery, prompting online debates over whether the problem lay with the actors, the script, or something else entirely.
Now, Bryan Bucco—who plays VIP John in Season 3—has personally addressed these concerns in comments on a TikTok video posted by @jbstarmax. His remarks have offered fans rare, firsthand insight into how these scenes were actually produce. Responding to a clip on TikTok that criticized the delivery of lines in the show, Bucco revealed that the awkward voices many viewers heard weren’t the original performances at all. "Those are the English dubs,” Bucco explained. “I was the actual actor. What’s being played here isn’t my voice.
He elaborated further, clarifying that the lines audiences found so awkward were actually added later in post-production: “I’ve seen different clips floating around where some have my voice, and others that are clearly not me… just… if it sounds dubbed, that’s because it probably is. And the ones used in this video above ARE the dubbed voices.”
This revelation means many of the lines viewers criticized weren’t spoken by the actors on set, but by voice actors hired to dub over the original English dialogue. Bucco also showed empathy for those voice actors, acknowledging the tricky position they were in: “I don’t even want to sh*t on my voice actor either, because I think he did fine. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for him to say his lines either.”
His comments hinted at production choices that prioritized uniform dubbing for international distribution. According to Bucco, the decision may have stemmed from the fact that the company responsible for localizing Squid Game likely handled all dubbing, even for English lines that were already performed by native speakers on set:
I think whoever is contracted to do the dubbing, does ALL of the dubbing. The Korean version shouldn’t have English dubs… If there are some in the Korean version, it would have to be due to specific lines having to be re-recorded for clarity.
Bucco also shared details about the production of his scenes, describing it as a surprisingly relaxed experience considering the dark premise of the series. He revealed that the VIP actors filmed their segments over just three days. Most of their work was completed after the main actors had wrapped, primarily alongside the Front Man, who oversees the deadly contests.
He called it “a nice break,” highlighting the contrast between their scenes and the grueling performances demanded of the contestants. The atmosphere on set was reportedly welcoming and laid-back, complete with impressive catering that made the short shoot all the more enjoyable.
Still, despite the pleasant working environment, Bucco’s revelation about the dubbing process sheds light on why these pivotal scenes sometimes felt so disconnected from the gripping tension of the rest of the series.
The VIP cast of Squid Game Season 3
As Squid Game Season 3 reaches its climax, viewers once again encounter the VIPs—wealthy elites who mask their identities behind gilded animal masks while wagering on human lives. This time, the cast of these enigmatic gamblers includes an intriguing mix of professionals from diverse backgrounds.
Here are the main VIPs in Squid Game Season 3:
David Sayers
Jane Wong
Bryan Bucco
Jordan Lambertoni
Kevin Yorn
This ensemble spends much of their time lounging in luxurious quarters, sipping champagne, and trading wry observations on the fate of the contestants. Their presence underscores the show’s broader themes of class privilege and voyeuristic cruelty.
The recurring criticism of the VIP dialogue across Squid Game seasons reflects more than just awkward line readings; it highlights the challenges of global productions trying to cater to multilingual audiences. By re-dubbing even original English performances for consistency, Netflix likely aimed to standardize audio across different languages and regional subtitles. Yet ironically, this process created the very unnatural delivery that fans found so jarring.
Bucco’s candid explanations help shift the blame away from the actors on set and shine a light on the complex, sometimes opaque decisions that go into international distribution and localization—especially for a blockbuster series like Squid Game.
With these behind-the-scenes insights, viewers may find new appreciation (or at least understanding) for the peculiar sound of the VIP scenes. One thing remains clear: Squid Game continues to dominate conversations around the world, drawing audiences deeper into its darkly satirical portrayal of wealth, desperation, and human nature.
Squid Game Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.
Sources: Bryan Bucco & @jbstarmax on TikTok via Dexerto
