Jung Ho-yeon Was 'So Happy' To Film Her 'Squid Game' Death Scene

“Squid Game” star Jung Ho-yeon has become a fan-favorite character even if she didn’t survive the hit Netflix series.

Ho-yeon played the role of Kang Sae-byeok, who was trying to raise funds to help support her younger brother. Although she did not survive and her character met an unfortunate end, Ho-yeon revealed that she was actually excited to film her death scene.

In a Variety Actors on Actors conversation with “The Chair” actress Sandra Oh, Ho-Yeon told the “Killing Eve” star, “Maybe it's weird to say it, but while I'm shooting my death scene, I was so happy.”

She said that “It was the most comfortable scene I ever had.”

Although fans were sad to see Player 067 meet a bloody end to her narrative, Ho-yeon has a different take on the events that played out on screen. Instead, she felt that she was letting go of her character and allowing her to find peace.

“It's because I've been living with my character over a few months, and then there is a time that I have to let her go, and I kind of feel like I can happily let her go, because I can understand,” Ho-yeon explained. “Maybe not fully, but I'm the one who can understand her most in this world, so I know her stress, and I know how her life was [such a] struggle and hard. So it wasn't that bad or sad.”

Ho-yeon said that the show’s massive international success had a huge impact on her, and not in a good way. She actually became physically ill when she returned home to South Korea due to her newfound fame.

“In that moment you realize that, ‘Oh. Maybe this was too much.’ I think I just try all the time to be me, healthy me, but it's not going to be easy, and then I'm still going to make mistakes,” she admitted. “I'm struggling, but trying.”

Since she met her end, it’s doubtful that Ho-yeon will make a return in season 2 of the hit Netflix series, which was only recently approved for a second season last week. Series creator Hwang Dong-Hyuk released a message on earlier this month along with a brief teaser to confirm that Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, and the Front Man, Lee Byung-hun, would be back along with many new players in the game.

Hwang’s message reads, “It took 12 years to bring the first season of Squid Game to life last year. But it took 12 days for Squid Game to become the most popular Netflix series ever.”

“As the writer, director, and producer of ‘Squid Game,’ a huge shout out to fans around the world,” he continued. “Thank you for watching and loving our show.”

“And now, Gi-hun returns. The Front Man returns. Season 2 is coming,” he warned. “The man in the suit with ddakji might be back. You’ll also be introduced to Young-hee’s boyfriend, Cheol-su.” Young-hee is the name of the killer doll witnessed in the first game of the competition.

Executive producer Kim Ji-yeon told Tudum that they’ve been facing “a lot of pressure” to make season 2 even better.

“We are working on the script right now and making the form of the story,” Kim explained. “I know that a lot of the different fans and audiences have enjoyed the series very much, but really we're focusing on how to make it even more joyful to the global audience.”

Last month, Hwang told Vanity Fair that the series could be released in 2023 or maybe even in 2024. He teased the second season, saying, “Humanity is going to be put to a test through those games once again.”

It's still not confirmed if Jung Ho-yeon will make a surprise appearance in a flashback scene, but plenty of fans have their fingers crossed!