Jo Yuri is not afraid to get real about the buzz surrounding her childbirth scene in Netflix’s Squid Game Season 3. Playing the character Park Jun Hee, she faced both praise and criticism for a dramatic labor moment during the Hide and Seek game. In an interview on July 8, she acknowledged the mixed reactions and explained how tough it was to balance drama and realism in such an intense scene.
The young actress said she worked closely with director Hwang Dong Hyuk to prepare every detail. Together, the pair decided which moments should feel real and which could lean more toward artistic effect. Yuri admitted she was nervous that her performance might feel awkward, because she wanted to deliver something authentic despite having no personal experience with pregnancy or childbirth.
“People told me, ‘Don’t overthink the birth scene. In real life, your mind goes completely blank during labor. If you try to act it out deliberately, it’ll look unnatural.”
To prepare, she did her homework. Yuri sought advice from veteran actress Kang Ae Shim, her mom, a friend who recently gave birth, and even an obstetrician. One piece of advice stood out: someone told her that during real labor, the mind often goes blank. That helped her trust her instincts rather than overact. She also made sure to show that her character was not fully ready for motherhood, especially in the way she held the baby. It added emotional depth to a role that clearly pushed her limits.