Time magazine of the U.S. has named "Squid Game" actor Jung Ho-yeon to its annual "Time 100 Next" list of rising stars. (Screen capture from magazine's homepage) 

By Israa Mohamed

Time magazine of the U.S. has made "Squid Game" star Jung Ho-yeon the lone Korean actor to make its annual "Time 100 Next" list of rising stars.

The weekly on Sept. 28 placed Jung in the "Phenoms" category of the list.

The list is an extension of the annual "Time 100" list of next-generation leaders in a range of sectors from business and entertainment to sports, politics, health and science.

The Phenoms category features newcomers who created a sensation in their respective fields.

"Squid Game" creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk wrote about Jung in the magazine.

"To be honest, I didn't have high expectations, because at the time she had no previous acting experience," he said. "In less than 10 seconds (after watching her audition video), I found myself sitting upright, captivated by what was on the screen. Instantly, I knew she was going to be Sae-byeok (her character in the drama)."

Hwang said Jung "is still fighting every day—against her fame, the expectations, and the jealousy of her success, as well as her own desires," adding, "There’s no doubt that she has the skill and courage to fight her numerous battles."

"I hope her acting career can become a true resting area, not her battleground."

Jung won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series at the 28th Screen Actors Guild and was nominated for the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in Drama Series.

ess8@korea.kr