Jung Ho-yeon on 'Squid Game''s popularity: “I try not to dwell too much on the success"

Squid Game star Jung Ho-yeon has opened up about her breakout role in the hit TV series and what she plans to do following her success.
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In an interview with The Korea Herald, the model-turned-actress opened up about Squid Game being her first major acting role, how she’s dealing with her sudden stardom – Jung recently became the most-followed Korean actress on Instagram – and what she plans to do in the future.

Jung noted how she requested to meet with director Hwang Dong-hyuk when the series had just started production as she has been “uncertain about myself as an actor and questioned my ability”.

“I think I wanted confirmation that I was really suitable for the character,” she added. With Hwang’s advice and senior actors’ support, I was able to successfully complete my given role in Squid Game.”

Despite her initial uncertainty about portraying the character of Kang Sae-byeok, Jung noted how has since been influenced by the personality of her Squid Game role. “Before [acting as] Sae-byeok, I was more of a self-centered person,” Jung noted. “This might have been the biggest hurdle for me to overcome when playing the character. I tried many ways to become the real Sae-byeok.”

But even with her overnight success, on top of Squid Game’s international popularity, Jung said she’s trying not to let it get to her head. “I am well-aware of how much work I have to do and learn to become a better actor,” Jung said. “I try not to dwell too much on the success of ‘Squid Game’. For the fans, I think it is best to show Jung Ho-yeon improved as an actor, in my next work.”