Jo Yu-ri Channeled Her Mom to Prepare for 'Squid Game 3' Birth Scene

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Actress and singer Jo Yu-ri on Friday revealed the mental and physical process she underwent to shoot her birth scene for the hit show "Squid Game" on Netflix, saying guidance from her mother and elaborate self-research helped her pull off the intense scene during the show's third season.

Jo Yu-ri
instagram /@joyuri_offcl

In a cast reaction video uploaded on July 1 to Netflix's official YouTube channel, Jo and fellow cast members Im Si-wan, Park Sung-hoon, and Kang Ae-sim reflected on pivotal scenes from the new season, including the emotionally charged childbirth sequence that resonated with both the audience and the cast.

"That scene really stayed with me," Jo said in the video, referring to the moment her character Jun-hee gives birth under extreme circumstances.

"I talked a lot with my mom and did plenty of research. People told me not to overthink and just go into a trance-like state. I don't even remember exactly how I did it. I think I scratched the wall with my hands at one point."

The scene, widely discussed on social media, occurs during a tense episode where Jun-hee goes into labor amid the chaos of the deadly game.

Fellow contestant Hyun-joo, played by Park Sung-hoon, chooses to stay and help with the delivery instead of escaping, with assistance from Geum-ja (Kang Ae-sim).

Park described the moment as "emotionally binding," adding, "I think Hyun-joo felt a strong need to protect the three of them, even at the risk of his life."

He also provided behind-the-scenes tidbits, saying the director had asked him to release one tear before falling in a key scene. "We got it on the first take," Park said.

Im Si-wan, whose character was involved in a parallel storyline, defended his character's intentions, stating, "He intended to drop more money to help Jun-hee survive and escape. But then he got blinded by Myung-gi's manipulation, seeing Hyun-joo as someone to eliminate for gain."

Kang Ae-sim also reflected on the performance from a mother's perspective, describing childbirth as "a battlefield." She added, "You push and press down on your belly — naturally, I started screaming. But because we were in the middle of the game and the enemies were possibly approaching, we had to keep quiet. We ended up doing several takes."

"Squid Game 3," the latest installment of the global phenomenon created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, continues to blend high-stakes survival with deeply human moments.

The birth scene in particular has been cited by fans and critics alike as a standout moment of emotional intensity and realism.

Netflix has yet to confirm a fourth season, though, based on the series's popularity, viewers have already begun pondering the fates of the characters who remain — and the actors who portrayed them.

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