Jung Ho Yeon Kept A Journal For “Squid Game” Sae Byeok — Here’s What She Wrote About

Jung Ho Yeon, the breakout star of Netflix’s hit show Squid Game that’s still dominating the global charts a month after its release, revealed some details about her preparation for her debut role as Kang Sae Byeok.

Jung played a North Korean defector separated from her parents and unable to care for her younger brother, a far cry from her life as a renowned model. But still, the desperation and the competitive atmosphere of the show connected with her.

To get into character, Jung kept detailed journal entries where she wrote in-depth about her character’s former life. These focused on Sae Byeok’s tragic family separation and even included details like how the air would have felt the day her family last saw each other.

I tried to write it down as much as possible to understand her character.

— Jung Ho Yeon

In a recent interview with W KOREA, Jung discussed some more details of that journal. Though initially hesitant to reveal the contents of the journal “because it’s too embarrassing,” she talked about what’s written inside Sae Byeok’s journal.

[I wrote] about her life in North Korea, and what she had to go through while she was escaping North Korea, the sounds she heard that day, and the emotions she felt. I tried my best to think of the details.

— Jung Ho Yeon

Jung Ho Yeon put a ton of time and effort into getting to know the character of Sae Byeok, and it definitely paid off! Viewers resonated with her performance and her online following skyrocketed. Read more about how Jung prepared for Squid Game below!

“Squid Game” Actress Jung Ho Yeon Details Her Method To Get Into The Character Of Sae Byeok