Latest news with #IZ*ONE
Pink Villa
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Was Jo Yuri paid 4.2 billion KRW for Squid Game? Actress spills about paycheck and changes in life post-fame
Former IZ*ONE member and rising actress Jo Yuri has opened up about her experience working on Squid Game. She talked about her sudden rise to global recognition, and the viral rumors surrounding her alleged appearance fee. The singer-turned-actress made a guest appearance on MBC's variety show Point of Omniscient Interfere. She offered fans a rare glimpse into her life after becoming part of one of Netflix's most globally successful franchises. Jo Yuri gains global spotlight after Squid Game success Jo Yuri played the character Kim Jun Hee in both Squid Game Season 2 and its follow-up, Season 3. Her performance as the emotionally layered and fiercely resilient character captured the hearts of millions across the globe. Though once primarily known as a K-pop idol, Yuri has successfully transitioned into acting. And her role in Squid Game has positioned her as a rising global star. During the July 12 broadcast, the show's MCs remarked on the astounding success of Squid Game 3, noting that it had ranked No. 1 in 93 countries on Netflix. They then asked Yuri whether that kind of international attention had translated into any tangible changes in her personal or professional life. With a humble smile, Yuri revealed that the shift was quite dramatic. Her Instagram following had jumped from 1.68 million to more than 7.6 million after her appearance in Squid Game. She went on to explain that the nature of her fan interactions had also changed. Where she once saw mostly Korean-language comments, her posts are now filled with supportive messages from fans all over the world. Jo Yuri shut down rumors about her paycheck As the conversation continued, comedian Yang Se Hyung cautiously brought up one of the hottest rumors swirling online: the claim that Jo Yuri had received 4.2 billion KRW (around 3.05 million USD) for her role in Squid Game. The figure had sparked major buzz among netizens, with many speculating whether such a huge sum was real. Yuri laughed at the rumor and addressed it head-on. 'There was an article that said my appearance fee was 4.2 billion KRW,' she said. 'That's ridiculous…It's much lower.' She declined to reveal the actual amount but made it clear that the publicized figure was heavily inflated. Yuri shares bank account access with her mother Yuri also opened up about her close relationship with her mother and how she handles her finances. When asked if she gives her mom an allowance, the actress revealed that she actually goes beyond that. She explained that she had even gone as far as giving her mother access to her bank account by sharing the password. The hosts expressed shock, joking that it was way more generous than just giving pocket money. Yuri, however, explained that her mother rarely touches the account, saying, 'But my mother hardly ever uses the money.'
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kwon Eun Bi's Waterbomb journey: From viral fame to buying parents a car and a dream home
Kwon Eun Bi, known as the 'Waterbomb Goddess,' recently shared how her viral performances at Waterbomb festivals changed her life. Her solo song 'Underwater' played a major role in her success, and especially as clips from her performances spread widely on social media, it helped to become popular all over the internet. She opened up about her journey, from facing early struggles in her career to buying a car for her parents and finally purchasing her own house. Kwon Eun Bi's Waterbomb festival fame Kwon Eun Bi recently appeared in Episode 5 of the web variety show HeoIlbyeong, where she opened up about her rise in popularity, financial milestones, and personal struggles. During the show, singer Ha Sungwoon playfully asked her about the income she made from Waterbomb performances. Eun Bi jokingly replied that if her Waterbomb video reached 300,000 views within a month, she would help fund a 3,000-graft hair transplant for him. However, the video has now crossed over 4 million views, far surpassing expectations. This light-hearted exchange hinted at how successful she has been recently and made fans curious whether she would follow through on her humorous promise. Kwon Eun Bi's difficult journey Eun Bi also spoke honestly about her difficult journey in the entertainment industry. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like So viel kostet eine Solaranlage inkl. Montage in 2025 Solaranlage fürs Dach Undo She revealed that she had trained for many years and even debuted once before IZ*ONE, but the debut didn't bring her success. She had to go back and train for another four years before finally making it big. She shared that during those years, she felt really guilty for depending on her parents financially. Heartwarming part of the interview One of the most heartwarming parts of the interview was when she talked about giving back to her family. She shared that after IZ*ONE disbanded then she started earning from her solo work, and the very first thing she did was buy a car for her parents. She said that this was a priority for her and that she wanted to give back to her family before spending money on herself or anything else. In April 2025, news had surfaced that she bought a 2.4 billion KRW (approximately 1.8 million USD) standalone house in Songjeong-dong, Seoul. Many assumed this was a result of her Waterbomb fame. However, Eun Bi clarified that although she did buy the house, her parents came first. She had already bought them the car before making the real estate investment, showing her gratitude and love for her family.
Korea Herald
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Tragic couple of 'Squid Game' Season 3: interview
Im Si-wan, Jo Yu-ri reflect on the harrowing dynamics of their on-screen relationship and the brutal truths of human nature One of the emotional high points in "Squid Game" Season 3 unfolds with the birth of a baby amid the deadly competition, as contestants find themselves torn between protecting the child or exploiting the situation for their own survival. At the center of this harrowing storyline is the tragic couple Myung-gi, portrayed by Im Si-wan, and Jun-hee, played by Jo Yu-ri. Set against the brutal backdrop where participants risk everything for the 45.6 billion won ($33 million) prize, the couple faces a tragic choice: whether to sacrifice their infant child, born unexpectedly during the games, or protect her until the end. Im Si-wan delivers a gut-wrenching performance as Myung-gi — a man caught between his desire to survive and his instincts as a father — is pitted against his former lover and their child in a contest where only one can survive. Reflecting on his role as a character driven by greed and fear, Im said he found portraying Myung-gi both challenging and strangely gratifying. "Until the very end of filming, I was confused about what kind of person this character really was," Im said during an interview in Seoul's Samcheong-dong on July 2. "I kept exploring and analyzing whether his actions came from a good heart or a bad one. In that process, I experienced a kind of stress that actually felt good. Expressing clear extremes is easy, but finding that line somewhere in the middle isn't something just anyone can do. Since I felt that the director and I were touching on that delicate point together, it was a meaningful kind of stress," he added. Im noted that the director emphasized the character's human side over painting him as a simple villain. "I felt like the keyword 'coward' was in the director's mind," said Im. "When I first received the script and met the director, he told me, 'I didn't intend to portray him as a villain. I wrote it while thinking about a more human side.' When I thought of the character's actions as something done out of fear, as a way to break through the situation, everything started to fit together like the pieces of a puzzle," said Im. "Because I kept questioning it until the very end, I was able to create a more three-dimensional character," he added. Alongside Im, Jo Yu-ri makes her acting debut in "Squid Game" Season 3, playing Jun-hee, a pregnant woman navigating the death games. At the age of 23, Jo — formerly of the K-pop group IZ*ONE — takes on the role without any personal experience of pregnancy, something she says caused considerable anxiety. "I was most worried that viewers might find those parts awkward or unnatural because of my lack of experience," she shared. "So I asked Ae-shim a lot on set, as well as my mom. I also have an acquaintance who recently gave birth, and I asked her many questions, too. I even sought advice separately from an obstetrician-gynecologist. That's how I prepared for the childbirth scenes and everything related to them, including breastfeeding and such," said Jo, speaking at an interview in Samcheong-dong on Tuesday. Jo explored Jun-hee's conflicted feelings toward her ex-boyfriend, Myung-gi, noting how the character's trust in Myung-gi evolved over time. "At first, I don't think Jun-hee really trusted Myung-gi. But I think there was still a lingering attachment, a small sliver of hope. So even though Jun-hee tried to push Myung-gi away, deep down, I felt like there was still this desire for him to hold onto her — and I acted with that thought in mind." Jo added that key moments shifted Jun-hee's feelings, including Myung-gi's apparent acts of kindness and protection. "However, during the hide-and-seek game, when Jun-hee saw Myung-gi act in such an inhuman way — killing Hyun-joo, someone incredibly precious and important to her — and not even for survival, but just for prize money, I think from Jun-hee's perspective, he no longer looked like a human being." "From that point on, everything collapsed. And I think that's when she slowly started to lean on Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae)," she said. For Jo, the baby at the heart of the season symbolizes hope amid despair. "The baby seemed to represent even the tiniest sliver of hope, and it felt like the drama and reality were deeply connected in that way, which made me feel good." "Even though reality can seem completely hopeless at times, there are still people with humanity. Kind and caring people do definitely exist. And in the end, it feels like the story shows that warmth — that humanity — ultimately prevails," she said.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who is Jo Yu-ri, Squid Game's player 222? Net worth, educational qualification, and more
When Jo Yu-ri first appeared on television, it wasn't in a drama or a film. It was on a talent survival show. She was young, maybe a bit unsure, but her voice carried something clear. Now, years later, she's appeared in one of the most globally talked-about dramas: Squid Game, and her performance has left people stunned. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Jo played Player 222, a pregnant woman named Kim Jun-hee. In the deadly world of the show, her character felt fragile at first. But as the story unfolded, she became one of the strongest presences on screen. There wasn't anything loud or over-the-top about the role; it was quiet, emotional, and incredibly human. A different kind of fame Born in Busan in 2001, Jo didn't grow up on film sets. She came from the competitive world of K-pop. In 2018, she was chosen to debut in IZ*ONE after placing third on the show Produce 48. That group became huge almost overnight. Concerts, albums, fan meets it was all a blur. But in 2021, IZ*ONE ended, and the members went their own ways. Some idols disappear after that kind of group disbandment. Jo didn't. She released her first solo song, Glassy, not long after. It was a bright, hopeful track, a contrast to what she'd go on to do in Squid Game. Acting with no formal training One thing that surprised people: Jo isn't a trained actor. She didn't go to a film school. She wasn't in musicals or student plays. Her experience was mostly music videos, stage shows, and reality content. So when fans saw her in such an emotionally heavy role, they were taken aback in a good way. In an interview with People, Jo said she cried for a long time after filming her final scene. It had taken a toll on her. That moment in the show, when her character gives up her life to save her newborn, isn't easy to forget. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Viewers around the world said it was one of the most devastating scenes in the entire series. What she earns, and what's next? Jo Yu-ri hasn't publicly shared what she earns, and there's no official number. Still, given her years in IZ*ONE, her solo work, and her recent drama success, many believe she's earned somewhere around $1–3 million. That includes music sales, digital streams, endorsements, and now, acting contracts. She's also signed to various brand deals in fashion and beauty. Her image is clean, warm, and quietly confident, making her a natural fit for that world. This year, she's expected to release another solo album called Episode 25. From what's been hinted at in interviews, the tone may be deeper, maybe even a little darker. Understandably so, after a project like Squid Game. She didn't just show up in Squid Game; she left an impact. The kind that gets people to ask, 'Who is she?' and then go looking for her past work. Jo Yu-ri might've started out as a singer. But now, she's something more.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Here's what went down in 'Squid Game 3'_Jo Yuri's insane birth scene had everyone shook!
The Scene That Stole the Show: Birth Amidst Chaos If you thought Squid Game couldn't get any wilder, Season 3 just proved you wrong. This time, it's not just about deadly games and mind-bending betrayals-there's a full-on birth scene, smack in the middle of a hide-and-seek death match. And who's at the center of this chaos? None other than Jo Yuri, the 23-year-old former IZ*ONE star, playing the pregnant Kim Junhee. Imagine this: You're literally running for your life, red-suited "taggers" are out to get you, and in the middle of all that, you go into labor. Talk about multitasking under pressure! For Indian youth who've seen their fair share of dramatic serials, this is next-level drama-think of it as the "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" of K-dramas, but with more blood and less saas-bahu plotting. Jo Yuri's Real-Life Prep: Mom's Advice and Going Full Method Jo Yuri didn't just wing it. She confessed that the birth scene was the most unforgettable moment of the entire shoot. She went all out-listening to her mom's advice, doing her homework, and then, when the cameras rolled, just letting go. "People around me told me not to overthink it, just lose myself in the moment. I don't even remember how I did it-I was scratching the wall like crazy," she laughed. That's some proper method acting, desi style! And if you think that's intense, her co-star Kang Ae Sim, who played the midwife, said, "Giving birth is a warzone. You press the belly, count to three, and push! But in the scene, we couldn't even scream properly because the 'taggers' might hear us. We had to redo it so many times because we kept yelling by accident!" Now that's what you call a retake marathon-Bollywood directors, take notes! The Emotional Rollercoaster: Cast Bonding and Tears On Set Park Sung Hoon, who played Hyun Joo, revealed that sharing Junhee's birth scene brought the cast super close. "We all felt this intense bond, like, 'We have to save her, no matter what.' Even if it meant risking everything." The director even asked for a single tear before a dramatic fall-and Park nailed it in one take. That's some Oscar-level commitment right there! And get this: right after shooting this emotional scene in Daejeon, the cast had to rush to Gangwon-do to film a death scene for another show. Double the drama, double the emotional exhaustion! Imagine shooting a birth and a funeral scene back-to-back-no wonder Korean actors are the real MVPs. Why Indian Youth Totally Get This If you're someone who's ever watched a family member give birth (or just seen enough hospital scenes in movies), you know it's no joke. But doing it while hiding from killers? That's another level. Jo Yuri's raw, almost animalistic acting-scratching walls, losing herself, and channeling pure survival-hits home for anyone who's ever had to "just do it" under pressure, whether it's an exam, a job interview, or a family drama at a shaadi. And let's be real-Indian moms giving birth stories are legendary. Jo Yuri taking tips from her mom? Relatable AF. We all know that one auntie who's got the most dramatic birth story at every family gathering. Now imagine if that auntie had to keep quiet because someone was literally out to get her. Wild, right? A Little Heartfelt Reflection Watching Jo Yuri and the Squid Game 3 cast pour their hearts (and tears) into this scene is a reminder that, no matter where you're from, the struggle, the chaos, and the family feels are universal. Whether it's a K-drama or a desi serial, the emotions hit the same. Here's to the actors who make us feel all the feels-even when the world around them is going completely bonkers. P.S. If you ever have to do something crazy under pressure, just remember: sometimes, you've got to scratch the wall and go full "muahjigyung" (out of your mind). Jo Yuri did it, and look how iconic that turned out!
