Before the premiere of Squid Game Season 3, I had the chance to interview Park Gyu-young, who plays the enigmatic No-eul in the series. The actress has reflected on her character and shared her feelings as we say goodbye to the series.
I read that you auditioned without knowing much about your role, and you were already a big fan of the series from season 1. Now that your character’s story has deepened more, how does it feel to be a part of the story?
Actually, I went through two auditions to get this role. I originally thought I would be one of the players, but then I found out I was cast as one of the pink guards. I was thrilled, and I also felt a responsibility to portray the guards’ perspective in a meaningful way. At first, I felt a lot of pressure and nerves taking on the role of No-eul, but as filming progressed, I really became one with the character and was able to empathize with all her emotions. It became such a memorable experience to be part of the series.
How do you personally view your character, and what do you think her purpose in the story is? Do you empathize with her?
I think No-eul is a fragile person because she’s been through so many hardships in her life. But at the same time, she’s incredibly resilient and strong. She has a strong sense of self, an ego that pushes her to overcome all the challenges she faces. I think her greatest motivation is her daughter, as well as the last bit of moral compass she still holds onto. That’s what drives her actions. So I could easily follow her emotions, and over time, I truly became one with No-eul. I felt everything she felt and became really attached to her.
In season two, we saw some of her backstory: her daughter and her struggles. But in season three, I’ve watched the first five episodes, and we really get to see what she’s capable of. So what can the audience expect from her this season?
I can’t say too much, but she will finally start to overcome all the hardships she’s been through. She’ll begin to fight back and push through the desperation of the game. That’s all I can say for now!
Fair enough! The show is now the most-watched series on Netflix, and clearly a massive production. What was it like on set? It looked like a lot of fun.
Even though Squid Game is such an intense and serious story, the atmosphere on set was very relaxed. All the actors were friendly and easygoing, and once the cameras were off, we could just chill and enjoy the process. We really had a great time shooting this whole drama.
I’d love to ask about working with director Hwang. What was that experience like? And how did you prepare for the role with his guidance?
The director created such complex characters and emotional arcs, yet he was incredibly precise and calm throughout the process. He maintained a steady vision but still gave everyone space to work comfortably. I really respect that about him. We had a lot of discussions about No-eul, about how she needed to appear more relaxed on the outside while dealing with immense emotional pressure inside. We talked about the hardship she’s endured and how that led her to become cold, distant, and seemingly inhumane at times. Despite juggling such a large and intricate story, the director handled everything with care and consistency. I respect him deeply for that.
Lastly, from a viewer’s perspective, what’s been your favorite season so far?
I’d say Squid Game season 2, because season 3 hasn’t aired yet. But once season 3 comes out, I think that might become my favorite!
See also: ‘Squid Game’ Creator and Director Hwang Dong-hyuk on Season 3 – Exclusive Interview & Lee Jung-jae & Lee Byung-hun on ‘Squid Game’ Season 3 – Exclusive Interview
