Don't count HoYeon Jung out of 'Squid Game' season 2 just yet

Yes, HoYeon Jung's character met her demise in the debut 'Squid Game' season, but that doesn't mean the star is out

HoYeon Jung as Kang Sae-byeok in Squid Game season 1
(Image credit: Netflix)

Hooray HoYeon Jung fans! Her character Kang Sae-byeok might have met her demise in the debut Squid Game season, but that doesn't mean the South Korean model-actress won't return to the Netflix hit. 

Ahead of Squid Game season 2, the director and brains behind the Korean thriller, Hwang Don-hyuk, spoke to Deadline about the series' next chapter. 

The show's life-or-death scenarios seem pretty final, but a plus-side to fiction is that any deceased character has the ability to reemerge. Considering Jung was a breakout sensation, fans are definitely anxious to see her again...even if her role is slightly altered. 



Will HoYeon Jung be in 'Squid Game' season 2?

When discussing his characters with Deadline, Don-hyuk was pretty blunt. 

"Most of them are dead," he told the outlet. "I'll try something to bring them back to season 2." 

According to the story, Jung was in attendance during the interview, and Don-hyuk joked that perhaps his actor would return as a twin. 

"I could change my hair color. Let's do a little like plastic surgery," she joked. 

Plot details are under wraps, but in a late 2021 interview with Variety, Don-hyuk did promise fans that another favorite would definitely make a return: Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae). No word yet on Wi Ha-joon (who played Hwang Jun-ho) but we're keeping our fingers crossed. 

With 143 million streams (and counting), Squid Game has earned the title of Netflix's most watched series of 2021 and continues to gain a strong fanbase. The show's childhood games receive a dire, murderous twist, yet the frightening premise only keeps subscribers coming back for more. 

We're anxious to see where the games take desperate participants next, but we certainly expect the dark plot points to keep on coming. 

If you found yourself struggling with Squid Game translation issues, we'll help you get situated before the sophomore installment hits the streaming service. 

Danielle Valente

Danielle is a writer for woman&home and My Imperfect Life, covering all-things news, lifestyle and entertainment. 


The heart of her time at Future has been devoted to My Imperfect Life, where she's been attuned to the cosmos, new TV shows and relationship trends.  


Before her time at Future, Danielle was the editor of Time Out New York Kids and a news editor at Elite Daily. Her work has also appeared in Domino, Chowhound, amNewYork and Newsday, among other outlets. 


When Danielle is not working, you can usually find her reading a book, coffee at hand, or attempting a new recipe. (Recommendations always welcome!)