Is Jung Ho-yeon’s Sae-byeok In Squid Game Season 2?

WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Squid Game season 2, episode 1.

Many are wondering whether Jung Ho-yeon reprised her role as Sae-byeok in Netflix’s highly anticipated Squid Game season 2. Jung Ho-yeon was one of the breakout stars of Squid Game season 1, earning a Best Actress Emmy for her role as Sae-byeok. As the last player to die before the final game in season 1, Sae-byeok made a strong impression during the first season.

Netflix’s most-watched series of all time, Squid Game season 2 premiered on the giant streaming platform after three years. Season 1 star Lee Jung-jae returns as Squid Game winner Seong Gi-hun who is determined to make the creators of the high-stakes survival game pay. Given that so many characters died in season 1, most Squid Game season 2 characters were new additions. That said, Sae-byeok was referenced.

Sae-byeok’s Head Appears In Gi-hun’s Dream In Squid Game Season 2, Episode 1

Sae-byeok only returns in the new season in Gi-hun’s nightmare

As seen in Squid Game season 2, episode 1, Sae-byeok only returns in the new season in Gi-hun’s nightmare. Her severed head is held by the Front Man in front of Gi-hun as well as the severed head of Park Hae-soo’s Cho Sang-woo, who was Gi-hun’s childhood friend. Both Sae-byeok and Sang-woo died during the Squid Game in season 1. In fact, Sang-woo killed Sae-byeok before taking his own life during the finale round. Because of this, it was not expected for either of their characters to return in Squid Game season 2.

Jung Ho-yeon Does Not Return In Squid Game Season 2

Gi-hun continues to look after her younger brother Cheol

Jung Ho-yeon does not return in Squid Game season 2, mostly because her character is no longer alive in the world of Squid Game. Gi-hun continues to make good on his promise to look after her little brother, Cheol, who also appears in the early episodes of Squid Game season 2. Gi-hun also makes an effort to bring Sae-byeok’s mother from North Korea to South Korea through the local marriage broker but finds difficulty getting that done, even though he pays handsomely.

What Jung Ho-yeon Has Done Since Squid Game

She has two upcoming movies lined up

Jung Ho-yeon as Kim in Alfonso Cuarón's Disclaimer.

Since rising to international superstardom after the breakout success of Squid Game season 1, Jung Ho-yeon has gone on to star in The Weeknd music video “Out of Time” and has continued her career as a model. She recently appeared in an episode of the Netflix Korean comedy series Chicken Nugget and also starred as Jisoo, a workplace associate of Cate Blanchett’s Catherine Ravenscroft, in the acclaimed Apple TV+ series Disclaimer. After Squid Game, she is slated to star in Joe Talbot’s film The Governesses and the Na Hong-jin thriller Hope alongside Michael Fassbender.