When we first meet Gi-hun in Season 1, he is a divorced, struggling gambler who enters Squid Game to secure enough money to maintain his relationship with his estranged young daughter (Jo Ah-in). Gi-hun wins the original competition, but is wracked with debilitating survivor’s remorse in the ensuing years. 

In Season 3, he’s intent on taking Squid Game down by any means necessary — even after his failed rebellion in Season 2. Lee spent a lot of time considering how much “guilt” Gi-hun would experience after so many of his allies died. “Especially his close friend Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan). I knew Gi-hun couldn’t be of sound mind. He wants to give up everything,” the actor explains. However, Lee teases, another player will help Gi-hun return to his senses in Season 3.  

“The scene is very touching,” he says. “It tells us that no matter what unfortunate things come our way, you have to keep living.”  

Lee won a Screen Actors Guild and a Critics’ Choice Award for his work in Squid Game Season 1. He was also nominated for an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and an ensemble Screen Actors Guild Award with his co-stars. 

The enigmatic Front Man is the puppetmaster behind the scenes of Squid Game — as well as a former winner. In Season 2, he joins the game and partners with his nemesis Gi-hun. However, Player 456 doesn’t realize his new friend “Young-il” is the Front Man in disguise. In Season 3, Lee says, Gi-hun and Front Man’s moral “duel” comes to a climax. 

“Gi-hun finally puts into action his long-harbored determination to upend this entire system. In-ho resumes his original role as Front Man and tries to stop him,” the actor says. “Front Man’s ultimate goal is to break down Gi-hun’s conviction through a psychological battle of beliefs, creating another game entirely.” 

Lee previously worked with director Hwang in 2017’s The Fortress. Over the course of his decades-long acting career, he’s starred in projects including Mr. Sunshine and Iris. 

Myung-gi is used to playing around with huge sums of cash. He’s a cryptocurrency influencer whose decisions led to disaster for himself and his followers. Squid Game is his only way out of a dangerous financial hole. 

“Myung-gi is a prime and extreme example of how a series of bad choices — and one bad, impulsive choice in particular — can ruin one’s life,” Yim says. “Myung-gi doesn’t strike me as inherently evil. But, as you can see, chasing money led to many irrevocable consequences.”  

Yim is a former K-pop star. He comes to Squid Game fresh off of projects including feature film Unlocked and series Run On. 

Dae-ho is another Squid Game competitor. While Gi-hun initially considers him a friend, Dae-ho’s cowardice in the Season 2 rebellion changed everything. Still, Kang hopes viewers continue to empathize with Dae-ho. 

“He’s probably the most realistic person,” the actor says. “Yes, he’s sly in certain situations. But if Squid Game happened in real life, I think most people would be like him.” 

Kang’s most recent Netflix film is The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure. He also starred in When the Camellia Blooms.  

Much like Gi-hun, detective Jun-ho is focused on destroying Squid Game forever. Certain revelations from Season 1 — like his unexpected connection to the Front Man — only increase his determination, which continues in Season 3.  

“His journey in Seasons 2 and 3 is fraught with challenges and shaky situations, through which he remains steadfast,” Wi says. “In portraying him, I wanted to strike a balance between his personal emotional turmoil and professional resolve, highlighting his dedication to justice.”  

Wi has appeared in multiple series, including Gyeongseong Creature, Little Women, and Romance Is a Bonus Book. 

When we first meet No-eul, we learn her sole purpose in life is to find her child, whom she has been separated from under the most desperate of circumstances. However, Squid Game soon reveals there’s more to this former soldier — whose name translates to “sunset” in English — than viewers might suspect. 

“The name ‘No-eul’ implied extreme emotional pain and agony. She’s someone whose life isn’t easy, but she resolves to go on with renewed determination,” Park says. “So in that aspect, No-eul represents a basic level of respect and integrity. I portrayed her with that in mind.”

The actor also went to tactical school to learn how to handle firearms like an expert. 

For more Park, tune into Sweet Home, in which she stars alongside Lee Jin-uk. 

This new player will risk anything for an essential medical treatment. Hyun-ju quickly finds community with Squid Game players like Geum-ja (Kang Ae-sim) and Jun-hee (Jo Yuri) — and she’ll protect them like family. 

Park appreciates Hyun-ju’s “selflessness” amid the cruelty of the game. “She’s so considerate of others, and she was kind, which is what I was initially most drawn to,” he says. “I feel very proud to see how many people root for her.” 

You may have spotted Park in Queen of Tears, which he filmed at the same time as Squid Game Seasons 2 and 3. Park admits juggling both series was physically “draining,” but he found the process very valuable as a performer. 

“To take part in such amazing and highly anticipated shows as an actor, I felt extremely privileged and blessed,” he says. “Both series come with an amazing cast, where I could rely on the expertise and experience of veteran actors. I really learned a lot by working alongside them.”  

Park also stars in 2022’s The Glory. 

Yong-sik is a compulsive gambler drowning in debt. When he enters Squid Game, he discovers that an unexpected loved one is also participating. 

Not only has Yang appeared in projects like Yaksha: Rutheless Operations — he is also a hip-hop artist and breakdancer. 

Although this headstrong matriarch entered Squid Game to save her son Yong-sik, Geum-ja winds up making many more connections throughout the competition. 

“I did feel a sense of responsibility being the ‘mother’ of Hyun-ju and Jun-hee,” Kang says. 

Kang has appeared in Korean TV shows for decades, including the Extraordinary Attorney Woo series premiere. 

Like many Squid Game players, Jun-hee enters the competition after a bad investment. Unlike many, however, she isn’t the one to blame for her own hardships. Jun-hee simply trusted the wrong person. Now, she’s pregnant and trying to survive Squid Game.

“Jun-hee is a woman who lives a very dynamic life,” Jo says. “She faces a lot of difficult choices [in Season 3].”

Jo comes to Squid Game from a successful pop career. She is a former member of girl group Iz*One. Squid Game is her drama debut. 

If you’re feeling metaphysical, Seon-nyeo is the player for you. She is a shaman past her heyday who shares unnerving prophecies about her fellow contestants.

Squid Game is Chae’s first major Netflix project.  She previously starred in the drama The World of the Married. 

Not all players can be as confident as the Front Man. Min-su is a shy contestant who has trouble asserting himself. He enters Squid Game after falling victim to a housing scam. 

“As the show progresses, there are moments where Min-su’s reason for playing is fueled not by money — but revenge,” Lee says. “That in turn brings out the guilt, which can be a huge factor in keeping someone tethered to this game.” 

Squid Game isn’t Lee’s first time working alongside some of his co-workers. He appeared in Svaha: The Sixth Finger with Lee Jung-jae and Squid Game creator Hwang’s The Fortress with Lee Byung-hun.

Nam-gyu is a former club promoter who picks on the weaker Squid Game players. He uses cruelty as a way to impress those he views as stronger than him, like the eliminated rapper Thanos (Choi Seung-hyun).  

“I think Nam-gyu was often bullied and looked down on. Even in the game, he was under the thumb of Thanos, who didn’t even know his name,” Roh says. “But in Season 3, after Thanos dies, Nam-gyu feels like he’s the main character now.”  

One of Roh’s first acting roles was in the K-romance Once Upon a Small Town. He also starred in the dramas A Killer Paradox and Daily Dose of Sunshine. 

Following the death of his beloved mentor in Season 2, Woo-seok is comitted to saving Gi-hun and ending the game. That dedication makes him an ally of Jun-ho. 

Jun starred in horror drama Kingdom, along with Hyena and Love Next Door. 

This Squid Game officer has a game of his own that he’s playing in the arena. His past with No-eul complicates his scheme. 

Park led A Model Family, The Bequeathed, and Trolley. 

Gyeong-seok is a loving and loyal father who enters the competition ready to do anything to protect his family. 

The Sweet Home star is ready to get into the game.