Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso Showrunner Lee Sung Jin is Back with More ‘Beef’
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Apr 26, 2026 
Lee Sung Jin, Emmy-winning writer/director behind Netflix’s Beef, reflects on Season Two, its Montecito country club origin, and the rise of modern scams. He traces his nomadic childhood to TV-room lessons, shares stories about his PowerPoint pitch, battling perfectionism and depression, and memorable moments directing in Korea. Short, candid, and surprising.
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Inside Korea's Private Halls
- Lee recounts being invited into elite Korean conglomerate spaces where being wined, dined, and driven to private skin clinics felt intoxicating.
- The hedonic adaptation there—initial disgust turning into appetite—became material for Chairwoman Park and the show's critique of luxury.
Samsara Shapes Thematic Depth
- Lee wants a spiritual layer in both seasons, using samsara to show repeating cycles of suffering and desire across characters.
- He leaves the season's final long shot open so viewers can project their own feelings about cyclical suffering and hope.
Nomadic Childhood Built Nunchi
- Lee describes a nomadic childhood across U.S. cities and Korea that taught him observational nunchi—quickly reading rooms and people.
- He credits that adaptive skill and strict upbringing with discipline, work ethic, and his ability to write character-driven stories.