IN CONVERSATION WITH PARK GYU-YOUNG
interview TIMOTEJ LETONJA
words SAMO ŠAJN
Park Gyu-Young is a South Korean actress, most known for her role in the popular Netflix series, Squid Game. She became part of the show in its second season. Fans were excited to learn that she is also in Season 3, which is releasing today, June 27, 2025.
What was your reaction when you first found out that you would be on Squid Game?
I was really thrilled to be part of Squid Game because I was a huge fan of Squid Game Season one. Actually, I took two auditions to be involved in this drama, so I was really happy and thrilled to be part of it.
You've done romance, drama, and action. Did anything feel different or new about acting in Squid Game?
I always feel that every character in dramas is totally different. But Squid Game was even more different for me because it is one of the most popular series in the whole world. So I felt excited, it was also nerve-wracking for me to act in this drama, but I really enjoyed it.
Your character seems to have a complicated past. How did you prepare for that kind of a role emotionally?
I think there was nothing much to prepare other than to focus on the challenges she went through, her history. I just had to empathize and be attached to her emotions pretty well. I could focus on the set because everything was so perfectly prepared. I also prepared some outer experiences, like her dry skin or how she walks and stares. Then I just felt the inner side of her character, her story, her challenges. She went through some hard emotions, so that's how I portrayed the character.
The guards in Squid Game usually seem emotionless, but your role shows a more human side. How did you bring that out in the character?
I think it depends on each guard's story, because not every guard's history is explained in this drama. But for me, as she just went through so many challenges and hardships in her life, that's why she's kind of cold and desperate. But she really does have a limit and at least the minimum amount of moral values a human being should have. So that was her motivation to move as a pink guard, as a cold pink guard, but also as a human pink guard.
Was there any pressure joining such a famous series, or did you treat it like any other job or project?
I really, really tried my best to focus on what I should do, what emotions I should portray. But, as I already said, it was really nerve-wracking for me because I had so much pressure and responsibility to be good at this kind of worldwide popular series. But the pressure was just pressure, and then I just started to focus on the character and the situation and the story right away.
The show is full of life-or-death situations. Did it make you think about what you would do if you were in that kind of situation?
Yes, I did imagine myself, what would I do if I was in that situation? Would I choose my friend or money? Would I choose humanity or money? I imagined it a lot, but I couldn't find a conclusion as to what I would do, because it's so complicated. I am still thinking about what decision I would make while watching season three, so maybe next time I'll find a conclusion and tell you.
What was it like working with such a big cast? Any special memories from set?
Unfortunately, I shot most of the scenes by myself, so sadly, I don't have specific special or funniest moments with the senior actors. But I could say hello to other actors on the set if we had similar schedules. I thought that they were really chilling and cool on the set, even though they had to act such desperate and heartfelt emotions. So, if I have a chance to work with them again, I really want to work and learn a lot from my senior actors, like (Lee) Jung-jae.
Was there a scene or moment that helped you really connect with your character or understand her better?
I think it's the scene in season two, it was a confrontation with my commander. It was just a verbal confrontation, and there were not many lines, but in that scene, I think I could portray and specifically focus on how she felt about her whole history and how she felt about the inhumanity that she felt in this game. I felt like this scene portrayed how my character is so resilient and strong in this crazy game.
Since your debut in 2016, how do you think you've grown as an actress?
I never imagined myself to be a part of this global or international series. I just took it step by step, every moment. If I had a chance, I just tried my best with this project, and the next project, I just tried my best. And that continued until now. All the projects and all the efforts that I made, little by little, made myself who I am right now. So, I don't have a specific goal, like, I will go to Hollywood, or I will go to this festival. I just always focus on what I am doing right now, what project I am involved in right now. So that's what made me, I think.
You're getting more fans around the world now. What kind of roles do you hope to do next?
I really want to be in a human drama. Because recently, I was in such desperate situations, like this kind of action drama where I had to kill people. So, I really want to portray some human emotions that we all can empathize with and can show my own emotions, which are deep in my heart.
