Jo Yu-ri Shares Insights on Squid Game Season 2

On January 9, actress Jo Yu-ri discussed her experience in the highly anticipated Netflix original series, Squid Game Season 2, during an interview at a café in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

The first season of Squid Game, which premiered in September 2021, became a global phenomenon, achieving numerous records including being Netflix's number one show for 47 days, with over 111 million households tuning in and generating approximately 1 trillion won in revenue. The second season, released three years later, continues the intense rivalry between Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) and the Frontman (played by Lee Byung-hun), as they engage in a fierce battle amidst the return of the deadly games.

According to Netflix's TOP10 Tudum website, Squid Game Season 2 garnered 58.2 million viewing hours from December 30 to January 5, making it the top series globally across both English and non-English categories, and it appeared in the TOP10 lists of 93 countries. In its first week, it ranked as the seventh most popular non-English series in Netflix history, and within 11 days, it reached 126.2 million viewing hours, securing the second spot. Meanwhile, Season 1 has also re-entered the global TOP10 series list as the second most popular non-English show.

During the interview, Jo Yu-ri expressed her gratitude for the love the series has received, stating, "I’m really happy that this hard work is being appreciated. My mom was incredibly excited when I got the role, and my younger sibling was just as thrilled. It made me feel proud. She mentioned she might cry when the show comes out. While she might be biased as my mom, she has been very supportive. When I passed the audition, I was at my family home in Busan, and she watched Squid Game day and night, even asking me to turn it off at night when she wanted to sleep. I think she’s still watching it now," she laughed.

Jo Yu-ri joined the cast of Squid Game Season 2 through a rigorous audition process that included four rounds. "The first round was a video audition, open to many applicants, like a nationwide audition. I remember going through the second round with the assistant director and the third and fourth rounds with the director. The first round used a script created by the Squid Game team, while the later rounds included excerpts from other films and scenes from Squid Game 2. I felt like I would fail during the third audition, but I was grateful to be called back for the fourth round. I didn’t think I would succeed, but I left feeling relieved after that audition," she recalled.

She noted that while she initially received a script for the character Jun-hee, she was told it could be for a different role. "I auditioned thinking, 'This is an interesting character,' and only learned I was cast as Jun-hee after the audition. When I got the call saying I was accepted, I couldn’t believe it at first. It felt like a dream. I was so happy, thinking, 'I’m part of such a big project!' I immediately told my mom. During my time on Produce 48, everything was broadcasted from the moment I passed the audition, which felt less real. This time, I was alone, so I could grasp the reality of it more quickly," she shared.

Jo Yu-ri, who plays Jun-hee, a character who participates in the deadly games after losing a fortune due to a bad investment from her ex-boyfriend Myung-ki (played by Im Si-wan), expressed her concerns about portraying a pregnant character without personal experience. "I worried that those who have been pregnant might find my performance awkward. I closely examined Jun-hee’s character and asked people who have experienced pregnancy about their feelings and physical changes. My mom was my main source of information. I asked her about the typical symptoms, emotional changes, and habits of pregnant women, like how they often touch their bellies. I also inquired about basic postures and movements, ensuring I didn’t come off as overly familiar with pregnancy," she explained.

She added, "While I didn’t find it difficult to immerse myself in the character, Jun-hee’s emotional state was quite heavy, making it hard to shake off those feelings even after filming. I discussed with the director why Jun-hee, who has no money or husband, would decide to have a child. This led to the idea that she might not have a family, which helped me understand her character better. I also tried to reflect physical changes, like messy hair and skin changes typical in pregnancy. I even avoided using lip balm to make my lips chapped. I thought about gaining weight, but I realized that a happy pregnant woman wouldn’t be overly indulgent, so I started losing weight gradually after filming began," she elaborated.

Reflecting on her time on set with many senior actors, Jo Yu-ri said, "No one directly told me how to do things, but watching their performances and being around them was a continuous learning experience. I found every little detail fascinating. The senior actors were very welcoming, so I didn’t feel pressured to perform alongside them. However, given that Season 1 was such a massive hit, I did feel some pressure about whether I could carry Season 2 well."

She also mentioned, "Every time I filmed, I reminded myself that this opportunity is rare and could never come again, so I should cherish these moments and feelings. I tried to remember that this isn’t something to take for granted. I was more nervous before filming, but once the cameras were rolling, I was able to immerse myself and relax. Preparing thoroughly helped me manage my nerves, and practicing my lines and expressions beforehand made a significant difference. My experience as an idol, where I often stood in front of the camera, also helped me during filming with the large cast of Squid Game 2."

Jo Yu-ri has established herself as a versatile talent, balancing her career as both a singer and actress. She debuted as the main vocalist of the group IZ*ONE in 2018, gaining explosive global popularity, and after the group disbanded, she launched a successful solo career. Her debut single, GLASSY (글래시), ranked ninth in sales among female solo albums in 2021, showcasing her strength as a solo artist.

Discussing the differences and similarities between acting and singing, Jo Yu-ri said, "The main difference lies in the stage we perform on. Acting is in front of a camera on set, while singing is performed live on stage. The pressure and pride of expressing and being recognized by the public are similar in both fields. Acting allows me to experience things I wouldn’t in real life, like being a character in a life-or-death game, which is a significant aspect of its appeal. It’s exciting to live as different characters."

Looking ahead, Jo Yu-ri plans to continue her dual career as an actress and singer, with a new album set to release this year. "I want to work hard in both areas without focusing solely on one. Many people have come to recognize me through this project, and I hope that those who remember me as 'the girl from Squid Game' will also check out my album," she expressed.

At the end of the interview, she addressed rumors about her salary, stating, "I can’t discuss specific production costs, but I want to clarify that 4.2 billion won is an amount I’ve never encountered or even thought about in my life. So, I want to firmly say that it’s not true. I don’t know when I’ll ever see that amount, but until then, I’ll continue to work hard as Jo Yu-ri. I believe that many surviving participants will experience various changes, including Jun-hee. The story will become more intense and engaging, so I hope viewers will look forward to it. If Season 3 receives as much attention as Season 2, I don’t think fans will be disappointed," she concluded.