SQUID GAME’S JUNG HO-YEON, THE MOST FOLLOWED KOREAN ACTOR ON INSTAGRAM

Playing the role of North Korean defector Park Hae-soo in what’s on track to become the most-watched show on Netflix, Jung won over the hearts of fans in her very first acting role. Making her name as a fashion model, Jung worked hard to prepare for her role as a storied pickpocket. “I watched a lot of documentaries about North Korean defectors. I also practiced speaking in a North Korean accent with a teacher, and studied a lot,” Jung told W Korea.

Jung was initially hesitant about herself as an actor and playing Sae-Byeok in the movie, but quickly grew into the role. “More than anything, I think I was able to accept Sae-byeok without any big difficulties because I am similar to her. In 2016, I left Korea to further my modeling career overseas, and I spent a lot of time alone. At the time, the emotion that I felt the most was loneliness. That feeling of loneliness while trying to persevere and live isn’t all that different,” she said.

Watch the trailer below: