‘Squid Game”s Jung Ho-yeon is the first Korean actress to be featured on the ‘TIME100 Next’

nme.com:

TIME Magazine’s annual ‘TIME100 Next’ list.On September 28, TIME unveiled the 2022 edition of its annual ‘TIME100 Next’ list of rising stars across the world, featuring 100 individuals across a multitude of sectors who the outlet believes will shape the future.

These individuals range from musicians and medical professionals to movement leaders and top CEOs.The Squid Game break-out star became the first Korean actress to appear on the list.

Jung was selected under the ‘Phenoms’ category, dedicated to newcomers in their respective fields as ones to watch. TIME also published a statement from Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk supporting her inclusion on the list, in which he shared his selection process for the character of Kang Sae-byeok in the series and his experience collaborating with her on set.“The first time I saw Ho-yeon was in a video, after I had spent three tiring months in search of an actress to play the role of Sae-byeok in Squid Game,” Hwang recalled, before adding that he “didn’t have high expectations” for Jung, considering she had no prior acting experience. “In less than 10 seconds, I found myself sitting upright, captivated by what was on the screen.

Instantly, I knew she was going to be Sae-byeok.”Although Hwang described her acting in her original audition clip as “somewhat unfamiliar and stiff compared with other season actors”, he noted that Jung was not timid at all. “Nor did she want to hide the fact that she didn’t have any acting experience.