Aside from Squid Game's monumental streaming success on the streaming service Netflix, the Korean TV show also marks HoYeon Jung's acting debut, playing the role of Kang Sae-byok which was instantly praised by the fans.
Jung's character Sae-byok or also known as Player 067 is a North Korean defector eager to win the game and use the money to get her brother out of an orphanage, transport her parents, and start a new life. Fans rooted for the character to win the deadly games, but Sae-Byok unluckily faced a very unfortunate fate at the show’s conclusion.
While Jung's first acting job undeniably become an impressive instant sensation, the actress recently shared how the show and the fans caused her tremendous pressure.
On THR's latest Roundtable episode uploaded to Youtube, Squid Game actress HoYeon Jung was joined by famous drama actresses like Christina Ricci, Emmy Rossum, Lily James, Rosario Dawson, and Sandra Oh to talk about their respective projects. Jung was asked whether she had expectations about the Netflix hit and her preparations for Squid Game's success.
Although Jung undeniably successfully pulled off her first-ever acting job, the actress admitted that she felt like her performance wasn't still enough, while also worrying about the audience's reaction toward her character.
"...We watched it, Squid Game, before it came out, like the actors, because we had to do, kind of promotion and event stuff, but I thought that— Is it allowed to swear?... I thought that I f*cked up," Jung said. "I messed up, like I totally messed up... The first message after I watched Squid Game to director Hwang was "I am so sorry, and thank you so much for casting me." I'm gonna cry, but it was so stressful. I was trying to prepare for the bad reactions and everything."
Considering how Jung transitioned from modeling into acting, it's understandable how the pressure might have gone on her. Nevertheless, Jung's first acting job must be the wisest decision of her life, considering how Squid Game still sits as the most-streamed TV show on the streaming platform.
Jung's return to the show's second season remains the big question. However, in a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Squid Game director Hwang Dong-hyuk opens up about the possibility of Sae-byok's return. "Sae-byeok has a twin sister, and that Sang-woo has actually been whisked away by the game operatives in time to keep him alive.”
As much as fans want to see HoYeon Jung's Kang Sae-byok again in the show's second season, it's still uncertain if the character will return.
Squid Game is available to stream on Netflix.
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