[OSENWORLD] Former IZ*ONE member Jo Yu-ri, who plays Kim Jun-hee in Netflix’s Squid Game Season 3, is unfazed by mixed reviews of her acting, embracing both the praise and the critiques as part of her growth.
Jo, who debuted as part of the girl group IZ*ONE formed through Mnet’s 2018 survival show Produce 48, took on the role of Jun-hee—a woman who joins the deadly game after being misled by her ex-boyfriend Myung-gi (played by Yim Si-wan) and losing a fortune. Introduced in Season 2, her character returns in Season 3 with a shocking twist: giving birth in the middle of the game.
Despite having little prior acting experience, Jo landed a leading role in one of Netflix’s most globally recognized franchises. “I was so happy during filming that I still can’t believe it’s over,” she said. “At first, I didn’t feel ready to let go of Jun-hee, but by the end of Season 3, I felt like I could.”
The 24-year-old tackled the challenging role of a heavily pregnant woman. “As someone just starting out as an actress, portraying a pregnant character felt like a meaningful challenge. Of course, I had fears—what if I couldn’t pull it off? What if it seemed unnatural because I hadn’t experienced it myself? But aside from that, I didn’t find it too difficult.”
To prepare for the role, Jo sought advice from senior actress Kang Ae-sim (who plays Geum-ja), watched childbirth vlogs on YouTube, consulted a friend who recently gave birth, and spoke with her own mother. “I had never even held a baby before, so I had to learn how to hold one for the first time,” she admitted. “I was surprised by how much I had to study. We used a very realistic dummy, and CG was added later. But even the dummy helped me immerse myself in the scene.”
Addressing critical reviews of her performance, Jo remained candid. “I felt that Jun-hee’s emotions were quite limited—she’s not a character who expresses a wide range of feelings. Still, I’m thankful for the feedback. It wasn’t upsetting or unfair to me; it just made me realize how others perceive things, especially since this is all new to me.”
Reflecting on her character’s emotional arc, Jo spoke openly about Jun-hee’s complicated relationship with Myung-gi. “Men like Myung-gi are the worst,” she said with a laugh. “The way he ghosted her after their breakup was terrible. Still, I felt a bit of empathy early on—he was being chased by loan sharks, after all. But in the hide-and-seek game, his actions destroyed all trust. That’s why Jun-hee ultimately chose Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) to protect her baby.”
“Even though Myung-gi is the biological father, he didn’t feel like one,” she added. “Gi-hun had more humanity. As a mother, I felt that Gi-hun, a former winner, might have a better chance of surviving and protecting my child.”
Asked if she had ever met a man like Myung-gi in real life, Jo laughed: “Never. I’ve never dated a bad guy—and I hope I never do!”
Jo also revealed that she didn’t know the ending of the season until it aired. “I wasn’t given the final scripts for personal reasons, so I learned the story along with the audience. I remember watching it and being completely shocked. Yim Si-wan kept apologizing during interviews, and I didn’t understand why until I saw the ending. He was incredible in that final scene—I texted him right away to say, ‘Your performance was amazing.’”
Jo has also made her long-awaited return to music, releasing her third mini album in time with the premiere of Squid Game Season 3. “I originally wanted to release the album before the show, but things got delayed. In the end, the timing worked out—I think it helped the album get more attention. I’m grateful to my fans for waiting two years.”
As for what’s next, Jo is set to appear in a new drama titled Variety. “I want to keep challenging myself and showing different sides of who I am. I haven’t received a ton of acting offers yet, but I’ll do my best in every role.”
Squid Game Season 3 marks the explosive conclusion of the global hit series, following returning characters like Gi-hun, who re-enters the game seeking justice, and the mysterious Front Man. The franchise first premiered in September 2021 and became a cultural phenomenon, breaking viewership records worldwide. Season 2 arrived in December 2024, with Season 3 serving as the final chapter in the saga.
/k_inside@osen.co.kr
