“From the moment I first met ‘Jun-hee’, I never thought I would be able to let go, but it has finally ended with ‘Season 3’. I still can't believe that I was part of the ‘Squid Game’ series…”
Singer and actor Jo Yu-ri showcased a heavy presence as a desperate character participating in a brutal survival game while pregnant.
The Netflix original series ‘Squid Game’ Season 3, released on the 27th of last month, depicts Gi-hun, who loses his best friend in a game he re-enters with his own purpose, and the Frontman, who hides his identity while infiltrating the game, as well as the final fates of the participants who survived the cruel game.
It ranked first in the non-English TV show category on Netflix just three days after its release. It also topped the charts in 93 countries worldwide, becoming Netflix's first work to achieve number one in every country during its first week of release. Furthermore, it entered the top 9 of Netflix's all-time series (non-English) in its first week, with Seasons 1, 2, and 3 all ranking within the top 10 of Netflix's most popular series (non-English) of all time.
“After appearing in the ‘Squid Game’ series, I was really surprised that people of various ages recognized me. Previously, it was mostly younger friends and teenagers who recognized me, but now I’m being recognized by a wider age range, which is fascinating. It really is global content… (laughs)”
Jo Yu-ri played the role of Jun-hee, who participated in the game after losing a large sum of money due to believing false investment information from her ex-boyfriend Myung-ki (played by Im Si-wan). She effectively showcased the weight of her character, who struggles through extreme pain and desperation.
“The character was bleak, but personally, I was happy throughout the filming,” she said. “I thought the day of letting go would never come, but it has ended like this. I was so immersed in ‘Season 3’ that I watched it all in one sitting, and as a viewer, I found it enjoyable. I’m happy and honored to have participated in such a work, and I still can’t believe it,” she laughed.
She also actively looked for reactions after the release. Jo Yu-ri said, “There were mixed opinions about the work and character, and many comments came pouring in, but I was grateful for each one,” adding, “Regarding the criticisms of being lacking, I thought I should use that as nourishment to grow more.”
In particular, regarding criticisms such as ‘expression is uniform’ and ‘lack of realism in the childbirth scene’, she acknowledged, “It’s true that Jun-hee was overwhelmed with feelings of ‘despair’, which limited her emotional expression,” and added, “I don’t feel wronged or upset about the acting critiques at all. However, all the performances were directed by the director, and only the OK scenes were released, so I deeply trust and believe in that. I humbly accept the results (and various viewer criticisms).”
The most encouraging response was a comment saying, “I didn’t know you could act like this. You have this kind of face.” She said, “I was grateful, moved, and touched. It’s true that I gained strength from such comments.”
“Of course, there was pressure about playing a pregnant woman. It was an experience I had never had before and couldn’t even imagine… I tried to act as much as possible based on the script and the director’s intentions, and I faithfully followed the director’s instructions. It was more difficult to handle things like holding the baby afterward than the childbirth itself. The emotional part wasn’t too difficult because the situation was so extreme.”
Additionally, she said, “I feel like I have a lot of shortcomings as an actor, but I think I have grown a little. It was such a big experience. I learned valuable lessons, like how emotions can overwhelm you, leading to tears flowing endlessly after a cut, or feeling that acting was not just burdensome but enjoyable,” adding, “I want to show a better side in my next project.”
Regarding her ex-boyfriend Myung-ki, played by Im Si-wan, she said, “He’s the worst guy,” adding, “The fact that he ghosted me is already a failure. Everything he did afterward was shocking. If it were reality, I wouldn’t want to meet him for a single moment.”
“The character itself is the worst, but (Im Si-wan) oppa acts so well that it really draws you in. There were so many reactions saying, ‘He nailed the acting.’ Watching it made me surprised, confused, and angry… (In reality) he’s a guy I would never want to meet.”
Regarding the ending, she said, “As a mother, I felt relieved. I felt vicariously satisfied,” adding, “I may not have romantic luck, but I think I made the right choice in trusting Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae). I hoped that somehow Gi-hun would protect the child until the end, and that wish became a reality. With that alone, Jun-hee’s dream seems to have come true.”
On the 14th, she will release her mini album ‘Episode 25’ and return to her main job as a singer. This is her first release in about two years since her mini album ‘LOVE ALL’.
This album includes the title track ‘Goodbye Now!’ and the pre-released song ‘Time of Dogs and Cats’, along with a total of five songs including ‘HICCUP’, ‘Ghosting’, and ‘Overkill’. The title track ‘Goodbye Now!’ features lyrics co-written by Jo Yu-ri and bestselling author Park Han-pyeong of ‘I Have Severe Emotional Swings’.
Jo Yu-ri said, “The album preparation was delayed more than expected, but I’m lucky to be able to present it during the time when ‘Ogame 3’ is receiving a lot of attention. I’m happy and delighted to present it to fans, as it reflects my opinions a lot and I’ve put a lot of effort into it,” she smiled brightly.
Regarding the members of ‘IZ*ONE’, with whom she formed a bond through Mnet’s idol audition program ‘Produce 48’, she said, “We keep in touch often. We support each other a lot. This time, they really reacted warmly, asked about me, and comforted me, so I was grateful,” adding, “There hasn’t been any discussion about a reunion yet, but if the opportunity arises, I would like to work together. They are always a source of strength for me.”
