Actor Roh Jaewon, who stole the spotlight in Squid Game 3, recently opened up about his bold acting choices, emotional family moments, and his hopes to take on a romance role in the future.
In a new interview, Roh Jaewon shared how much he put into playing Nam Gyu, a club promoter-turned-villain who returned even more dangerously in Squid Game 3.
This time, he brought chaos on his own — not just standing next to the character “Thanos” played by Choi Seung Hyun (also known as T.O.P of BIGBANG).
“When I first read the script, I didn’t want Nam Gyu to just be ‘that guy next to Thanos,’” he said. “I wanted him to have a reason, a story, something more. That’s why I worked hard to build his own vibe.”
Roh Jaewon’s performance included scenes where his character acted like he was high on drugs. Viewers were shocked by how real it looked — and it turns out, he didn’t copy anyone.
“I watched some stuff, but I didn’t want to follow any references. The situations were different,” he explained. “Instead, I imagined feelings like a bad hangover, itchy skin, or that restless feeling when you can’t sleep. I used those to guide my performance.”
But behind the strong and intense acting was a moment that truly touched his heart — his father’s reaction to the show.
“My dad said this was the best thing I’ve done,” Roh Jaewon smiled. “He joked in the family group chat, ‘Director Hwang Dong Hyuk is the Korean Spielberg,’ and even said, ‘Your acting was so good, I’m worried Nam Gyu lives inside you!’”
He also shared that fellow actor Choi Seung Hyun had a big influence on him on set.
“Seung Hyun hyung gave me a lot of strength,” he said. “Watching him act like his life depended on it made me feel braver too. He helped me bring Nam Gyu to life.”
While many are praising Roh Jaewon for his intense and wild roles, he confessed that he wants to try something very different soon.
“I want to do a romance next,” he said softly. “I’ve never played someone who loves with their whole heart. I want to know what that feels like — even if it’s just acting.”
Roh Jaewon is slowly becoming a rising star on Netflix, thanks to roles in D.P. 2, Morning Comes to the Mental Ward, and now Squid Game 3. But he says he’s staying grounded.
“Of course I’m thankful for the attention,” he said. “But I want to focus on doing my best in every role. I just want to act with heart and honesty.”
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