Latest news with #JoYu-ri
See - Sada Elbalad
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Jo Yu-ri and Son Ye-jin Team Up for Netflix K-Pop Drama "Variety"
Yara Sameh Netflix is doubling down on its Korean content with 'Variety,' a new series that pairs A-list talent Son Ye-jin with rising star Jo Yu-ri in a drama set in the world of K-pop. The casting represents a savvy move by the streamer, combining the proven global appeal of 'Crash Landing on You' veteran Son Ye-jin with Jo Yu-ri, whose breakout role as player 222 in 'Squid Game' Seasons 2 and 3 positions her as one of Korea's most promising young actors. Behind the camera, Netflix is betting on Kim Yong-hoon, whose 'Mask Girl' became a hit for the platform, spending four weeks in the Global Top 10 Non-English TV rankings and claiming the No. 1 spot in its second week. Known for his signature visual style and masterful tension-building in crime stories, Kim now turns his lens to the glamorous yet cutthroat world of K-Pop, exploring the fierce desires and ambitions that drive it. The series aims to examine the complex dynamics between industry executives and fans. Son Ye-jin's Se-eun, a top entertainment executive fighting to revive a struggling idol group, reflects the high-stakes nature of Korea's entertainment business. Meanwhile, Jo Yu-ri's Seung-hui — an obsessive fan — allows the former Iz*One member to explore the fan-idol dynamic from a perspective she knows intimately. Jo Yu-ri's casting is particularly noteworthy given her unique position as both a former K-pop idol and emerging dramatic actor. Her transition from the music industry to Netflix's prestige content slate mirrors the broader evolution of Korean entertainment, where boundaries between different media sectors continue to blur. The project reunites Netflix with powerhouse production partners CJ ENM Studios and UNU, part of the streamer's ongoing investment in Korean content that has paid massive dividends following the global success of originals like 'Squid Game' and 'Kingdom,' as well as internationally distributed hits like 'Crash Landing on You.' For Son Ye-jin, 'Variety' represents another strategic Netflix partnership as she continues to build her post-'Crash Landing on You' career. The actor is also attached to Park Chan-wook's 'No Other Choice' and Netflix's period drama 'Scandals,' positioning her as one of Korea's most in-demand talents across both film and streaming platforms. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Squid Game's Jo Yu-ri and Son Ye-jin to lead Netflix K-pop drama ‘Variety'
Netflix continues its aggressive push into Korean entertainment with the upcoming K-drama 'Variety,' starring Jo Yu-ri of Squid Game and Son Ye-jin from Crash Landing on You. Directed by Kim Yong-hoon, best known for the hit series Mask Girl, the show is set in the high-stakes world of K-pop and is expected to blend glamour, obsession, and cutthroat ambition. Jo Yu-ri, who rose to fame as a K-pop idol with IZ*ONE and solidified her acting credentials in Squid Game Seasons 2 and 3, will play Seung-hui — a passionate fan navigating the complexities of idol culture. Son Ye-jin takes on the role of Se-eun, a top entertainment executive struggling to rescue a failing idol group. The series aims to explore the intricate relationships between industry executives, idols, and fans, reflecting Korea's evolving entertainment landscape. For Jo Yu-ri, this role marks a significant career milestone, allowing her to draw on her real-life experiences in the K-pop industry. Meanwhile, Son Ye-jin's return to Netflix highlights her continued dominance in both film and streaming, with additional roles in Scandals and Park Chan-wook's No Other Choice. 'Variety' is produced by CJ ENM Studios and UNU, marking another major collaboration with Netflix following successes like Squid Game, Kingdom, and Crash Landing on You. With top-tier talent both in front of and behind the camera, the series is positioned to become the next global K-drama phenomenon.
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.
New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'Squid Game' star Jo Yu-ri returns to singing this month
KUALA LUMPUR: South Korean artiste Jo Yu-ri is set to make her long-awaited return as a singer with the release of her third EP, 'Episode 25', on July 14. According to a recent statement from her agency, WakeOne Entertainment, this will be her first EP in nearly two years, following the success of 'Love All'. That EP, led by the track 'Taxi', topped a television music chart show. The title 'Episode 25' echoes the name of her concert held in April – her first since embarking on a solo career after the disbandment of the K-pop girl group IzOne. During the concert, she thrilled fans with a performance of IzOne's 'Panorama' and also unveiled unreleased solo tracks, 'Growls' and 'Purrs'. Beyond her music career, 23-year-old Jo recently attended the preview event for season 3 of Netflix's 'Squid Game' in New York. She plays a key role in the hit series as the character Kim Jun-hee, also known as Player 222, having survived the previous season's deadly games.
The Star
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Jo Yu-ri says she didn't expect her 'Squid Game' role to be this difficult
Jun-hee has to be extra careful in the game due to her condition. Photos: Handout Actress Jo Yu-ri, who plays Kim Jun-hee or Player 222, confesses she was a huge fan of the Squid Game when the first season was released in September 2021. 'I remember watching S1 with my family and thinking to myself, 'I really, really want to be part of a show like this',' recalls the 23-year-old to StarLifestyle in this exclusive Zoom interview to talk about the series' third season. 'What felt so fresh to me was the concept of turning innocent childhood games into something deadly. It was something I had never seen before – shocking, yet incredibly original," she adds. Hence, when she got the chance to audition for S2, she jumped at it. However, Jo says that she had no idea what was in store for her character who turns up at the game, very much pregnant. 'The audition script I received was a dialogue between Jun-hee and Myung-gi (Player 333 portrayed by Im Si-wan). Im Si-wan (left) and Jo Yu-ri play former lovers in the show. Photo: AP 'I knew the role would be challenging, but I didn't expect it to be this difficult,' she shares, smiling at the memory. The level of difficulty she faced is especially impressive considering Jo made her acting debut in 2022's Mimicus and had appeared in just one episode of another K-drama, Work Later, Drink Now 2 (2023), ahead of Squid Game. Prior to acting, she was best known as a member of the South Korean-Japanese girl group Iz*One. While she says there were many challenges as Jun-hee, her biggest concern was playing a pregnant woman convincingly. 'I kept wondering – what if real mothers feel my performance isn't believable, that it lacks authenticity? 'That thought weighed heavily on me. "But thanks to support from my co-star Kang Ae-Shim (who plays Jang Geum-Ja or Player 149), as well as friends and mothers I spoke with, I was able to overcome those fears and carry the part successfully.'
