‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Character Guide: Who’s Who Among the New and Returning Players

As I delve into the lives of these individuals who found themselves entangled in the grueling games of Squid Game, it’s clear that they come from all walks of life, bound together by their financial struggles and desperation. Each character’s story is a poignant reflection of our modern society, where the relentless pursuit of wealth and the seductive allure of quick riches can lead us down paths we never intended to tread.

In the highly anticipated sequel to “Squid Game,” which features a staggering 456 contestants, it might be challenging for viewers to remember each character when they begin marathoning it on its release date, December 26th. However, not every one of these players plays a crucial role in the storyline of Gi-hun’s (Lee Jung-jae) reentry into the games.

See below for a guide to all of the key new “Squid Game” — and just a handful of returning, seeing as most of the Season 1 cast was wiped out by its fatal finale — characters that appear both in and outside the games. Beware: Spoilers ahead for the first few episodes.

Gi-hun/Player 456 (Lee Jung-jae)

Three years after winning the Squid Game, Gi-hun finds himself drawn back into the fray, determined to unmask those responsible for orchestrating the deadly tournament following the demise of its creator, Oh Il-nam. Haunted by his survivor’s guilt and the lingering trauma from that harrowing experience, Gi-hun has spent the intervening years attempting to locate the games once more using the massive 45.6 billion South Korean won prize money he received as a means to do so.

In-ho/The Front Man (Lee Byung-hun)

Since the passing of Squid Game’s creator, Oh Il-nam, at the conclusion of Season 1, In-ho – who has been associated with the games ever since he won them long ago – now leads the group of pink-masked guards, donning his signature all-black attire.

Spoiler alert: This year, In-ho decides to follow in Oh Il-nam’s footsteps and enter the games as Player 001, in order to teach a lesson to Gi-hun upon his return to the game. Gi-hun, who only ever encountered the Front Man when he was masked, has no idea that In-ho, who goes by the name Young-il during the games, is the man in charge.

Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun)

A police officer named Jun-ho disguised himself as a participant in the Squid Game during Season 1, aiming to locate his missing brother In-ho, who had enrolled in the deadly competition. By the finale of Season 1, Jun-ho found his brother, only to discover that In-ho had taken over as the leader of the games, known as the Front Man. In a shocking turn of events, In-ho pushed Jun-ho off a cliff, leading him to fall from great heights. However, miraculously, Jun-ho survived and was working as a traffic cop at the beginning of Season 2.

Recruiter (Gong Yoo)

As I step back into this captivating world for another season, it’s my job to seek out individuals who are grappling with life’s hardships. I present them with a unique proposition: a game of Ddakji. If they triumph but lose the match, they walk away with some cold hard cash and an enticing invitation to join the Squid Game. The man you saw recruiting Gi-hun in Season 1 is yours truly.

No-eul (Park Gyu-young)

A woman, having fled North Korea and settled in South Korea while losing contact with her newborn baby along the way, works at an amusement park. With her limited income, she hires investigators to search for her daughter. In exchange for assistance locating her child, she accepts a job as one of the masked pink guards during the games. While on duty, she tries to aid several players, among them Player 246, whom she identifies as an old colleague whose own little girl is battling cancer.

Woo-seok and Mr. Kim (Jun Suk-ho and Oh Dal-su)

Mr. Kim (on the right) and Woo-seok (on the left) are two individuals working for Gi-hun, tasked with locating The Recruiter who invites participants into the Squid Game. Previously, Mr. Kim was a debt collector for Gi-hun, but due to his trust in Gi-hun’s account of the games, he believes that there must be truth to Gi-hun’s story since he managed to pay off a massive debt three years ago. Woo-seok is both an employee and friend of Mr. Kim, and as their friend, he becomes just as determined to help Gi-hun uncover those responsible for the games.

Jung-bae/Player 390 (Lee Seo-hwan)

A buddy of Gi-hun’s, who they used to work with and was last seen gambling together at a horse racetrack in Season 1, unexpectedly joins the game when Gi-hun comes back to attempt to dismantle it from within. This revelation shocks Gi-hun.

Myung-gi/Player 333 (Yim Si-wan)

Once a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency world, this individual suffered significant financial losses and put their followers at risk as well. As a result, they went into hiding and were only known to be involved in the digital currency market until their identity was disclosed.

Jun-hee/Player 222 (Jo Yu-ri)

A determined woman, driven by poor financial decisions based on an influencer’s advice, finds herself involved in the game. Later, it’s disclosed that Jun-hee has entered this perilous competition while expecting a child from her estranged lover and current competitor in the games, Myung-gi.

Dae-ho/Player 388 (Kang Ha-neul)

A newcomer to the gaming world swiftly joins forces with Gi-hun’s circle, forming a strong bond with Jung-bae due to their mutual military past.

Hyun-ju/Player 120 (Park Sung-hoon)

A transgender woman competes in the games with the aim of earning enough funds for her transition. However, the character is portrayed by a cisgender actor named Park Sung-hoon. In an interview with TV Guide, “Squid Game” creator Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed his reasoning behind this casting decision: “At first, we were considering an authentic casting of a trans actress. But when we looked into it in Korea, there are hardly any openly trans or even openly gay actors due to the unfortunate fact that the LGBTQ community is still marginalized and often overlooked in Korean society today.

Su-bong a.k.a. Thanos /Player 230 (Choi Seung-hyun)

A well-known hip-hop artist finds himself compelled to participate in the games due to financial struggles stemming from a fall in cryptocurrency values. This role is portrayed by the actual South Korean rapper Choi Seung-hyun, more commonly recognized as T.O.P.

Nam-gyu/Player 124 (Roh Jae-won)

Similar to numerous others, Nam-gyu enters the game as a result of accruing significant debts due to financial advice regarding cryptocurrencies from Player 333. Rapidly forming a friendship within the virtual world, Nam-gyu becomes acquainted with Thanos.

Yong-sik/Player 007 (Yang Dong-geun)

A person heavily in debt due to excessive gambling discovers that his very own mother is among the players in the game.

Geum-ja/Player 149 (Kang Ae-sim)

A determined woman, deeply committed to supporting her family, enters the game with the goal of clearing her son, Yong-sik’s, outstanding debts. Unexpectedly, she discovers that not only has she entered the game, but so has her son, identified as Player 007.

Se-mi/Player 380 (Won Ji-an)

A player who works with both Min-su and Thanos in the games.

Min-su/Player 125 (Lee David)

A strategically savvy gamer seeking alliances with Thanos’ group, develops a friendship with Se-mi within the game.

Gyung-seok/Player 246 (Lee Jin-uk)

A guy, who’s a caricaturist in an amusement park (the same place where No-eul used to work), participates in various competitions to cover his little girl’s cancer expenses. It so happens that No-eul recognizes him competing in these games while she was on duty as one of the pink guards.

Hye-won/Player 196 (Song Ji-woo)

A contestant who joined the competition due to financial struggles following cryptocurrency guidance from Player 333, much like many other participants this year.

Seon-nyeo/Player 044 (Chae Kook-hee)

A shaman whose seemingly incoherent ramblings rub many of the other players the wrong way.

2024-12-26 11:17