While participants in the beloved show Squid Game may have the chance to walk away with millions with their lives as collateral, some were shocked by rumors of the actors' million-dollar salaries.
Jo Yu Ri, a former member of the South Korean–Japanese girl group Iz*One, plays Jun-hee (aka Player 222) in Squid Game 2. Johas addressed rumors that she received 4.2 billion won (about $3.15 million) for her role in the show.
During an interview on January 9 at a café in Seoul, the actor directly and firmly addressed speculation on her alleged fat paycheck.
"Thank you for bringing this up. When I first saw the claim that I received 4.2 billion won, I couldn't help but laugh," she said.
"It was something I never imagined, and I was surprised to see that some people actually believed it."
Jo added that due to stipulations she could not disclose her compensation but stressed that the rumors were simply that, rumors.
"I can't disclose the exact salary, but I can assure you that 4.2 billion won (about $3.15 million) is a completely false amount. I've never seen or even thought about such a sum," she said.
The rumor had made waves, especially given Jo Yu Ri's fame and Iz*One popularity before pivoting into acting. In the interview, the actor also opened up about her audition experience, recounting the difficult and competitive process.
"I went through four rounds of auditions, including video submissions and auditions with the assistant director and the director. It took over three months, with the second round alone lasting about two months due to the high number of applicants," she revealed.
Jo explained that she'd auditioned for the role despite going through personal difficulties.
"At the time, I was going through one of the most difficult phases of my life, but the last audition I had was for Squid Game, and I felt a deep determination to make it," she said.
In an interview with Sports Chosun, the actor opened up about the difficulties of playing Jun-hee, a pregnant woman.
"Of course, there is a burden, but I think it was a burden because it was an area I had not experienced, rather than because it was a burden because it was a pregnant woman," she said.
"I was most worried about it because people who experienced it might feel awkward when they saw it, and I think it was a burden. There was nothing else to be burdened about."
Squid Game 2, despite lukewarm critical reviews, has been met wholeheartedly by audiences. The series has continued to break Netflix records, securing the top spot in the platform's global Top 10 rankings, with 58.2 million watch hours between December 30 and January 5.
Jo Yu Ri concluded, "I'm thankful for the support from fans, but it's important to separate fact from fiction. The 4.2 billion KRW (about $3.15 million) rumor is absolutely false."
