[INTERVIEW] Park Gyu-young says she hoped to surprise viewers in 'Squid Game' 2

By KTimes

Actor Park Gyu-young, who gained attention for her role as a Pink Guard in Netflix's "Squid Game" Season 2, said she worked to balance the pressures of the role while staying grounded and maintaining her energy.

In a recent interview at a cafe in Seoul, Park talked about her role in the second season of "Squid Game." Park plays No-eul, a former soldier and North Korean defector working in a theme park while searching for her daughter left behind in the North. Wearing the signature pink uniform of the guards, No-eul’s story unfolds with emotional depth.

Park's casting in the globally acclaimed "Squid Game" series instantly put her in the spotlight. Although she had previously starred in Netflix hits like "Sweet Home" and "Celebrity," joining the cultural phenomenon came with immense pressure.

“This is my first time being part of such a widely talked-about project,” Park said. “The pressure naturally turned into a sense of responsibility. I realized that carrying too much burden wouldn’t help me, so I focused on doing what I could, taking feedback and doing my best.”

Her character, No-eul, kept fans guessing as the role remained shrouded in secrecy before the release. The reveal of her as a Pink Guard sparked surprise and praise from viewers, especially overseas.

“I hoped audiences would be surprised by me. Watching international YouTubers react so excitedly was thrilling. It made me proud to see so many people enjoy the parts where I was involved,” Park said.

Role built on subtle intensity

Park revealed she quietly auditioned for the role, sending in a video before attending an in-person audition. Only after being cast did she learn she would play a Pink Guard.

“I didn’t intentionally aim to leave an impact. Even if it wasn’t 'Squid Game,' I believe focusing on the story and character is what matters most. That’s how I approach my work truthfully,” she said.

To embody No-eul, a mother living without hope after losing her daughter, Park intentionally reduced the intensity of her acting, maintaining a subdued tone even in her breathing.

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk described No-eul as “a character whose flame has extinguished, fading into the darkness,” a sentiment Park faithfully brought to life.

“I stripped away all unnecessary energy, maintaining a slower rhythm to portray someone at the edge of despair,” she said. “No-eul represents someone who has lost the most precious part of herself — her daughter. By immersing myself in the story, I could stay true to the character.”

Reflecting on set and co-stars

As a fan of the first season, Park expressed slight envy over not participating in the games. “Filming on the game sets looked fun, and other actors grew close through those scenes. My interactions were mostly in waiting or dressing rooms,” she said with a laugh. “But the energy on set was incredible. Watching my seniors’ performances on the monitor was inspiring — they brought such urgency and tension.”

Park praised the working environment created by director Hwang, noting, “He has such a clear vision that no one on set felt confused or overwhelmed, even with the large-scale production. Despite the challenges, the atmosphere was truly enjoyable.”

As for the upcoming third season, Park teased, “Season 3 will clarify unresolved parts of the story from Season 2. Many characters and narratives will come to a conclusion, and the world built by the director will be fully explained.”

Following its release, the new season quickly dominated global charts. It ranked No. 1 in Netflix’s non-English TV series category for the fourth week of December, with 68 million cumulative viewing hours within four days, according to Netflix. It also topped Netflix's series rankings in all 93 countries tracked by FlixPatrol.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.