Lee Sung Jin, the creator of the dark comedy rage drama series Beef is opening up about the intense emotional turmoil behind bringing the show to life. Released on Netflix earlier this year, the show features Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, as Danny Cho and Amy Lau, two strangers whose road rage incident escalates into a lengthy feud.
Critics have lauded the series for stellar performances, exceptional writing, and directing and it has received multiple Primetime Emmy nominations as well.
Lee Sung Jin Opens Up About the Emotional Intensity of Creating Beef
In a recent interview with IndieWire, the Beef creator Lee Sung Jin talked about the emotional rollercoaster involved in bringing the show to life. He explained how his own experience became a driving force behind the series as he explored the profound feeling of “the void” for Steven Yeun and Ali Wong’s characters in the show.
“We were trying to figure out what the core spine of the show was,” he said before adding, “And the thing that I knew best was this horrible feeling in my chest that has been with me for as long as I can remember.” He also recalled opening up to his team, which caused him to break down.
“I started talking about my goddaughter, Lily, talking about how I really hope she never gets this feeling,” he shared before adding, “and then I just started breaking down crying in the room.” It also led other writers to share their own similar experiences, creating a collective understanding of the emotional struggles depicted in the series.
The moment of vulnerability in the writers’ room sparked a turning point in the show’s development, as the writers’ team was able to embrace the emotional core and incorporate it into the characters of Danny and Amy.
Will There be a Second Season of Beef?
Beef has been a huge hit for Netflix. The show has gained positive remarks from critics and has also garnered multiple Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. While the streaming giant has not revealed anything about the show’s renewal, Lee Sung Jin has shared his plans for its future.
“I’d love to make more,” he shared in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He also shared that he pitched the show as an anthology series and had plans to introduce “new beef with new characters” in every other season. But he is also open to exploring Danny and Amy’s story as well. During a conversation with Rolling Stone, the creator has shared that he has “three seasons mapped out” for the show. However, Netflix has yet to renew the series for another season.
Beef is available to stream on Netflix.
