Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead are now two of the biggest Netflix original shows in the world, and South Korean actress Lee Yoo-Mi feels is lucky to have roles in these massively successful K-dramas.
In the survival thriller Squid Game, released in September 2021, Lee played Ji-yeong (Player 240), one of the 456 participants who competes in a series of deadly games for the 45.6 billion won (US$38.1 million) grand prize after being released from prison for killing her abusive stepfather.
In the coming-of-age zombie K-drama All of Us Are Dead, she played a privileged, spoiled high-school student who looks down on her classmates from various backgrounds and constantly complains.
In a media interview (via The Korean Herald), the 27-year-old actress says that she feels lucky to star in both Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead: "The two shows are very precious and important to me. I've waited so long to watch them on screen," Lee said."I'm just happy right now. Everything is going far better than I first expected. I think I'm lucky."
Lee's role in Squid Game is seen as heroic as her character ultimately sacrifices herself to save her partner Sae-byeok (Jung Ho-yeon) in the sixth episode. Her death during the marble game is definitely one of the most heartbreaking scenes of the nine-episode series. However, in All of Us Are Dead, Na-yeon is one of the most hated characters as she orchestrates the death of a classmate by intentionally infecting him with the zombie virus.
Fans who recognized the actress shared their comparisons on social media, expressing their disdain for her All of Us Are Dead character.
"I've received so many curses and swearwords after All of Us Are Dead; I think I will live long," she said, laughing. "I think I'm very fortunate to show myself in extremely different styles in a short period of time."
Due to the significant difference of her roles, it was difficult for her to transition from Ji-yeong to Na-yeon, as the filming of both Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead was held in the summer of 2020.
"I studied my characters in the car while moving to another location," she said. "When heading for All of Us Are Dead, I filled something in myself. But on my way to Squid Game, I threw them away from me."
She said that her larger-than-expected success of the two Netflix K-dramas will help her get major roles that will live longer.
"I've got some offers for characters that live longer and never die. They are happier than any previous characters of mine," she revealed. "The most important and grateful thing is that the Netflix series gave me more chance to continue my acting career and experience more various roles in the future."
Both Squid Game and All of Us are Dead are now available to stream on Netflix. You can read more details about Squid Game Season 2 here, and more details about the potential All of Us are Dead Season 2 here.