[Interview] "Squid Game 3" Jo Yu-ri, Proud as An Actress

She was cast in Netflix's "Squid Game" series, the world's biggest box office hit, just two years after she turned into an actress. She played the role of an idol and a pregnant woman, showing off her childbirth scenes and acting of motherhood. This is the story of Jo Yu-ri, a singer and actress from the girl group IZ*ONE.

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In an interview Jo Yu-ri said, "I was worried that I would look clumsy because I had not experienced it", adding, "I am proud that I took a good first step as an actor". Jo Yu-ri played Joon-hee, who participated in the game with her third-trimester body in "Squid Game - Season 2" and "Squid Game - Season 3", losing a large amount of money and being abandoned by her family. Actor Kang Ae-sim, who plays Geum-ja, who is Joon-hee's helper in the series, is said to have helped Jo Yu-ri's acting in childbirth. Jo Yu-ri recalled, "I heard giving birth didn't give you any room to think so I just tried not to express anything in particular".

Jo Yu-ri debuted as a girl group IZ*ONE through the Mnet audition program "Produce 48" in 2018. After IZ*ONE's disbandment, she worked as a solo artist and challenged acting in earnest from 2022. "I was in the theater department when I was in high school, and I wanted to go to the theater and film department in college", Jo Yu-ri said. "As I debuted as a singer, I was thirsty to act, and my desire to act while going to dozens of auditions while working as a solo artist increased". Even ahead of her appearance in "Squid Game - Season 2", she eventually won the role after auditioning four times. "At that time, I failed to audition for almost all dramas and movies, so "Squid Game - Season 2" was my last challenge", Jo Yu-ri said. "I was so desperate that I didn't want to miss it, and the desperation went along well with Joon-hee".

Jo Yu-ri released her third mini album "Episode 25" on Friday and started her career as a singer again in about two years. The album contains a total of five songs, including the title track "Goodbye Now!" with a rich band sound.

"I was so proud when international fans left comments asking if I sing, too". I started it because I liked it, so I want to keep releasing albums in the future. It's not going to be easy to do it at the same time because the work is twice as long, but I want to do everything without missing it".