Jung Hoyeon, the South Korean actor and model who rose to international fame with Squid Game, is open to exploring Indian cinema. In an exclusive conversation with HT City, the actor said India has long been on her travel wish list and that she would welcome an opportunity to work on an Indian film—provided she gets a little help with the dancing.
“I have never visited India but it’s been on my bucket list of trips to make. I have watched 3 Idiots. I would love to be part of an Indian project, please call me, but you would have to teach me dancing,” she said with a laugh.
The comments offer an intriguing possibility for fans who would like to see the Korean star in a Bollywood production. For now, however, her remarks express interest rather than confirm any plans to join an Indian film.
Hoyeon is currently drawing attention for Hope, a science-fiction thriller directed by Na Hong-jin. The film sees her take on Sung Ae, a rookie police officer who faces an extraordinary threat when an alien invasion unsettles a quiet seaside town.
From Squid Game Breakout to Action Role in Hope
Hoyeon became an international sensation through her portrayal of Player 067 in the Korean survival drama Squid Game. Her performance earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2022 and an Emmy nomination, helping establish her as one of the Korean actors attracting a growing global audience.
In Hope, she takes on a very different character. Sung Ae is a rookie police officer who carries a machine gun and finds herself caught up in a dangerous encounter with an extraterrestrial threat. The role combines action, humour and dramatic performance, giving Hoyeon an opportunity to explore a new side of her acting.
The film is directed by Na Hong-jin, known for works including The Chaser and The Yellow Sea. Its ensemble cast, as described in the supplied report, includes Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Taylor Russell, Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender.
For Hoyeon, the chance to work with Na was one of the main reasons she accepted the project. She said she had long admired the director’s work and found Sung Ae particularly compelling when she read the script.
“I have been a huge fan of director Na’s work. When I read the script, I felt Sung Ae had this very magnetic appeal, you cannot deny her presence at all,” she said.
The actor also admitted that she had not initially expected the role to be as substantial as it became. Knowing that experienced performers such as Hwang Jung-min and Zo In-sung were attached to the project made the opportunity exciting, but also daunting.
She described sharing responsibility with such established actors as both a source of pressure and a valuable learning experience.
Six Months of Preparation for Hope
The action-heavy role required Hoyeon to prepare in ways that went beyond conventional acting work. According to the interview, she spent six months training in firearms handling, driving and physical conditioning.
She acknowledged that balancing action sequences, comedy and dramatic performance was challenging because many aspects of the role were unfamiliar to her. Support from the cast and crew helped her settle into the experience.
Hoyeon particularly admired Hwang Jung-min’s concentration during demanding action scenes. She said watching him remain focused while the team worked through intense sequences taught her a great deal about maintaining control and professionalism on set.
She also praised Na’s distinctive sense of humour and artistic perspective, saying his personality helped put her at ease.
Reflecting on her early years as an actor, Hoyeon spoke candidly about the insecurity and anxiety she had experienced when she was still learning the craft. With Hope, she felt that the enjoyment of working had begun to outweigh the fear.
The experience appears to have reinforced her interest in choosing projects that push her beyond familiar territory.
Why Hoyeon Finds Action Acting Liberating
Given her memorable performance as Player 067 in Squid Game, Hoyeon is increasingly being associated with physically demanding roles. But she approaches action acting differently from scenes that rely on extended dialogue or emotional expression.
She explained that dialogue-heavy scenes require an actor to build and internalise the character’s emotional journey. Action sequences, by contrast, demand close attention to choreography, timing and physical detail.
Despite the extra preparation, she finds the process enjoyable. Her background in modelling has also made her comfortable expressing herself through movement and body language.
For Hoyeon, action can offer a sense of freedom because the performance is closely connected to what the body is doing in the moment. It is another way to communicate a character’s personality without relying entirely on words.
Her work in Hope therefore represents more than a change in genre. It allows her to explore how physical performance, comic timing and characterisation can work together.
Choosing Projects for a Global Audience
Hoyeon’s career has expanded from international modelling to high-profile screen projects, including Squid Game and Alfonso Cuarón’s psychological miniseries Disclaimer, in which she appeared alongside Cate Blanchett.
Asked whether global popularity influences her professional choices, she acknowledged that audience reach is a consideration. She also made clear that it is not the only factor guiding her decisions.
Hoyeon said she wants to be more confident in following her instincts while remaining aware that a film or series can resonate with audiences in unpredictable ways. Even the extraordinary success of Squid Game was not something the cast could confidently anticipate while making it.
Rather than trying to calculate what will become a global hit, she focuses on choosing projects that move her emotionally and committing herself fully once she accepts a role.
She described approaching every project as though it could be her last, an attitude that reflects her desire to give each performance her full effort.
Hoyeon Wants to Explore Theatre
The actor is also interested in trying live theatre. During the interview, she said she was considering a stage production in the future, while acknowledging that plans in an acting career can be difficult to predict.
She explained that after Squid Game, she deliberately sought opportunities to work with artists whose methods she could observe and learn from. Her experience on Disclaimer gave her the chance to watch Cuarón and Blanchett collaborate, while Hope offered a similar opportunity to learn from Na and established Korean performers.
Hoyeon said her growing confidence has encouraged her to consider experiences she has not tried before. Rather than limiting herself to a particular genre or type of production, she wants to continue expanding her range.
A theatre project would represent another new challenge, although she did not present it as a confirmed commitment.
Jung Hoyeon on the Global Rise of Korean Entertainment
Hoyeon was also asked about the growing international reach of Korean popular culture. Rather than attributing its success to a single factor, she credited the hard work of the people involved in the industry.
She was careful not to position herself as an analyst of the phenomenon, describing herself instead as someone focused on doing her job and hoping audiences connect with the work.
Her response reflects the collaborative nature of filmmaking and television, where a project’s reach depends on the efforts of performers, directors, writers, technicians and many others.
As Korean entertainment continues to attract audiences around the world, Hoyeon remains focused on developing her own craft and taking on projects that challenge her.
Could Bollywood Be Next for Jung Hoyeon?
Hoyeon’s enthusiasm for the possibility of an Indian film has given Bollywood fans a reason to imagine her in a new cinematic setting. Her mention of 3 Idiots also offers a small glimpse into her familiarity with Indian cinema.
But her comments should be understood for what they are: an expression of interest, not an announcement of a confirmed project. Any future collaboration would depend on the right role, production and creative fit.
For now, the actor is continuing to explore unfamiliar territory through projects such as Hope and considering other possibilities, including theatre. Whether an Indian film eventually becomes part of her journey remains to be seen.
As she puts it, she is eager to try things she has not done before. If Bollywood does come calling, she may already be willing to say yes—with a little dance training first.
