"When I first saw it, I burst out laughing" — Jo Yuri reacts to the rumor of receiving ₩4.2 billion fee for Squid Game 2

South Korean singer and actress Jo Yu-ri recently addressed rumors claiming she received a ₩4.2 billion (approximately $3.5 million) fee for her role in Squid Game 2. On January 9, 2025, during an interview with MyDaily, the K-pop idol-turned-actress revealed that she "burst out laughing," emphasizing the inaccuracy of such claims.

As quoted by KBIZoom, the actress said:

“Thank you for the question. There’s a rumor that I was paid ₩4.2 billion. When I first saw it, I burst out laughing. I brushed it off very cheerfully. Although most people didn’t believe it, I noticed a few actually did. I can’t disclose the exact amount of my appearance fee or that of other actors, but ₩4.2 billion is an amount I’ve never even imagined or touched.”

Jo Yu-ri called it a "baseless rumor" and added:

“It truly feels like a baseless rumor. I saw senior actor Lee Seo-hwan’s interview, and his reaction seemed similar to mine. That’s when I thought, ‘Ah, this is just a rumor.’ From the moment I saw that post, I knew it wasn’t from a credible article or source—it was a random online community post that anyone could have written. I hope people don’t believe such things so easily.”

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More about Jo Yu-ri's portrayal of Player 222 in Squid Game 2 & the show's plot

In the acclaimed Netflix series Squid Game 2, Jo Yu-ri portrayed Kim Jun-hee, designated as Player 222. Jun-hee was a complex character, entering the deadly competition while pregnant, driven by financial desperation and a desire to secure a future for her unborn child. Throughout the season, her journey was marked by emotional and physical challenges.

Throughout the season, Jun-hee's primary goal was survival for herself and her child. The narrative intensified when she discovered that the father of her child, Lee Myung-gi (Player 333), portrayed by Yim Si-wan, was also a participant. Their complex relationship unfolded under the game's pressures, with Jun-hee initially considering an alliance for mutual protection.

However, as the games progressed, she distanced herself from Myung-gi, reflecting her internal struggle between personal feelings and the instinct to protect her child. When Myung-gi tried to tell her that after getting out of the games, he would like to start over with her, Jun-hee caught him in his schemes and called him out for trying to get her share of the prize money to invest in crypto.

Despite being alone and pregnant with nobody to look after her, Jun-hee's character showed immense resilience and strength. She was determined to give birth to her and Myung-gi's child despite being abandoned by him.

The season built tension around Jun-hee's fate, especially concerning the well-being of her unborn child. The emotional weight of her journey resonated with viewers, offering a narrative that intertwined personal sacrifice with the broader themes of societal inequities depicted in Squid Game 2.

The terrifying story of impoverished people playing deadly games for a huge monetary reward was carried over into Squid Game 2. Lee Jung-jae's character, Seong Gi-hun, returns with the intention of destroying the corporation that runs the games.

The season added new characters to the series' examination of human nature under harsh situations, each with their own motives and backstories. Big names like Gong Yoo, Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon, BigBang's T.O.P, and more joined the stellar cast lineup of Hwang Dong-hyuk's Squid Game 2.

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Before her acting debut, Jo Yu-ri was a member of the popular girl group IZONE, formed through the reality competition show Produce 48 in 2018. As the group's main vocalist, she gained significant recognition in the K-pop industry.

Following IZONE's disbandment in 2021, Jo Yu-ri transitioned into acting, with Squid Game 2 marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning acting career.