Created by Hwang Dong‑hyuk
The first season of Squid Game premiered on September 17, 2021.
Distributed by Netflix.
Series Review
Squid Game remains a thrilling, pulse-pounding journey through humanity’s darkest impulses.
What began as a visceral critique of debt and desperation in Season 1 evolves into a globe-spanning saga by Season 3—complete with jaw-dropping sacrifices, ingenious new games, and even a surprise Cate Blanchett cameo hinting at an American spin-off.
Along the way, we witness Seong Gi-hun’s transformation from a desperate everyman into a symbol of resistance, the masked Front Man’s tortured loyalties, and unforgettable bonds of loyalty and betrayal among the contestants.
While Seasons 2 and 3 occasionally struggle with pacing, each finale delivers emotional payoffs that keep you glued to the screen.
Whether you’re in it for the social commentary, the shocking twists, or the heartbreaking character moments, Squid Game proves time and again why it became a global phenomenon.
Ratings:
Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
Metacritic: 66/100
IMDb: 8.0/10
Squid Game Actors
Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun (Player 456)
DOB: December 15, 1972
Bio: A former fashion model turned screen powerhouse, Lee Jung-jae became one of South Korea’s most bankable stars in the 1990s, rising to fame in Sandglass and solidifying his legacy with films like Il Mare, The Thieves, and New World.
He studied Theater & Film at Dongguk University, where he earned his master’s, and co-founded the talent agency Artist Company with Jung Woo-sung. Lee is also a restaurateur and real-estate investor in Seoul.
Squid Game earned him historic acclaim, including a Primetime Emmy win, making him the first Asian actor to win Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
Role: A debt-ridden everyman whose gamble to win ₩45.6 billion becomes a harrowing fight for survival—and ultimately, a catalyst for rebellion against the games.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1: E1–9; Season 2: E1–8; Season 3: E1–6
What to Expect: A nuanced arc from desperate gambler to reluctant leader, marked by both dark humor and profound pathos.
Favorite Things: Known off-screen for cooking Korean home-style meals for cast and crew between takes.
Notable Works: The Thieves (2012), New World (2013), Deliver Us from Evil (2020).
Lee Byung-hun as Hwang In-ho / Front Man
DOB: July 12, 1970
Bio: One of South Korea’s most internationally recognized actors, Lee Byung-hun has built a prolific career spanning arthouse dramas (A Bittersweet Life, Masquerade), thrillers (I Saw the Devil), and global franchises (G.I. Joe, Terminator Genisys).
A graduate of Hanyang University, he speaks multiple languages—including English and French—and is an ambassador for UNICEF and several environmental causes.
His emotionally complex roles have earned him multiple Grand Bell Awards and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star (2023), the first for a Korean actor.
Role: The masked overseer of the games, whose cold efficiency conceals a tormented past as a former champion.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 2: E1–8; Season 3: E1–6
What to Expect: An icy performance that occasionally cracks, revealing the weight of guilt and regret.
Favorite Things: A collector of vintage movie posters from around the world.
Notable Works: Masquerade (2012), I Saw the Devil (2010), G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009).
Wi Ha-joon as Hwang Jun-ho
DOB: August 5, 1991
Bio: Born in South Korea’s Wando County, Wi Ha-joon rose through indie horror (Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum) and breakout TV roles (Romance Is a Bonus Book, 18 Again).
A graduate of Sungkyul University with a degree in Theatre and Film, he’s also a skilled taekwondo athlete.
His moody urban photography has earned critical praise, culminating in a 2023 solo exhibit in Seoul. In 2022, he was named one of People Magazine’s “25 Emerging Global Stars.”
Role: The police detective who infiltrates the games to find his missing brother, the Front Man—willing to risk everything for family.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1: E1–4
What to Expect: Heart-stopping chase and escape sequences, plus an emotionally fraught showdown with his own brother.
Favorite Things: Street photography—he held a solo exhibit in Seoul in 2023.
Notable Works: Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018), Midnight (2021), 18 Again (2020).
Jung Ho-yeon as Kang Sae-byeok (Player 067)
DOB: June 23, 1994
Bio: Born in Seoul, Jung Ho-yeon rose to fame as an international fashion model before making her acting debut in Squid Game.
A graduate of Dongduk Women’s University, she walked for Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Marc Jacobs before pivoting to screen.
Her performance as Sae-byeok earned her a SAG Award, making her the first Korean actress to win in a drama ensemble.
Role: A North Korean defector whose survival game is her ticket to freedom—and to reuniting her family.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1: E1–9
What to Expect: High-intensity physical challenges balanced by moments of profound empathy.
Favorite Things: Evening painting sessions—she regularly shares her landscapes on social media.
Notable Works: Time to Hunt (2020), Squid Game (2021).
Park Hae-soo as Cho Sang-woo (Player 218)
DOB: November 21, 1981
Bio: Born in Suwon, South Korea, Park Hae-soo is a Seoul Institute of the Arts graduate whose stage and screen work has earned critical acclaim.
Originally a musical theater actor, he gained widespread recognition for his role in Prison Playbook, which won him Best Supporting Actor at the Seoul Awards.
Role: Gi-hun’s childhood friend—brilliant strategist whose desperation leads to moral collapse.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1: E1–9; Season 2: E4 (flashback); Season 3: E2 (cameo)
What to Expect: Calculated gameplay morphing into heartbreaking ethical dilemmas.
Favorite Things: Late-night jazz performances—he livestreams piano sessions for fans.
Notable Works: Prison Playbook (2017), Time to Hunt (2020).
O Yeong-su as Oh Il-nam (Player 001)
DOB: February 19, 1944
Bio: A revered figure in Korean stage and screen, O Yeong-su began his acting journey in the 1960s and spent decades mastering classical roles with the National Theater Company of Korea.
Widely respected for portraying monks and wise elders, he gained global attention with Squid Game, where his performance was both heartwarming and chilling.
Role: The sweet-natured elderly player whose true role in the games is the series’ biggest twist.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1: E1–9
What to Expect: Gentle mentorship shifting to a jaw-dropping revelation in the finale.
Favorite Things: Sampling rare green teas—he insisted on fresh leaves between takes.
Notable Works: Poetry (2010), Mandala (1981).
Anupam Tripathi as Ali Abdul (Player 199)
DOB: November 2, 1988
Bio: Born in New Delhi, India, and trained in classical stage performance, Anupam Tripathi studied at Korea National University of Arts after moving to Seoul in 2010 on a scholarship.
Fluent in Korean and English, he immersed himself in theater and indie cinema before landing his breakout role in Squid Game.
Role: A Pakistani immigrant whose kindness and loyalty forge one of the show’s most treasured friendships.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1: E1–9
What to Expect: Heroic selflessness and one of the series’ most heartbreaking sacrifices.
Favorite Things: Recreating his mother’s curry recipes on set—he shares them with castmates.
Notable Works: Crash Landing on You (2020, cameo), Raat Akeli Hai (2020).
Kim Joo-ryoung as Han Mi-nyeo (Player 212)
DOB: March 3, 1976 (est.)
Bio: A mainstay of Seoul’s underground theater scene, Kim Joo-ryoung honed her skills in fringe performances and character-driven dramas long before Squid Game launched her into global recognition.
With roots in classical acting and a flair for the absurd, she brought wild unpredictability to Han Mi-nyeo—a role she shaped through on-set improvisation.
Role: The unpredictable wild card whose shifting loyalties keep everyone—and the audience—on edge.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1: E1–9
What to Expect: Scene-stealing antics, back-stabbing twists, and darkly comic flair.
Favorite Things: Improv comedy workshops—she still performs under a pseudonym.
Notable Works: The Handmaiden (2016), Bridal Mask (2012).
Lee Yoo-mi as Ji-yeong (Player 240)
DOB: July 18, 1994
Bio: Hailing from Jeonju, Lee Yoo-mi rose from indie roles to global acclaim with Squid Game, earning the 2022 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress—the first Korean actress to win an Emmy in any acting category.
Known for her subtle emotional range, Lee brings a quiet intensity to every role.
Role: A young inmate whose quiet courage and final sacrifice deliver one of Squid Game’s most unforgettable moments.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1: E3–9
What to Expect: Grace under deadly pressure and a tear-jerking farewell scene.
Favorite Things: Traditional calligraphy—she shared her own squid-game-inspired artwork online.
Notable Works: All of Us Are Dead (2022), Hellbound (2021, cameo).
Im Si-wan as Lee Myung-gi (Player 333)
DOB: December 1, 1988
Bio: Originally rising to fame as a member of K-pop group ZE:A, Im Si-wan has since built a highly respected acting career, garnering critical praise for his nuanced performances in Misaeng and The Attorney.
Known for his methodical prep, Si-wan shadowed real cryptocurrency influencers to authentically portray Myung-gi’s bravado.
Role: A flashy influencer whose vanity crumbles under life-or-death stakes.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 2: E1–8
What to Expect: Overconfidence giving way to humbling solidarity with fellow players.
Favorite Things: Charity soccer matches—he organized a pro-am game in Seoul in 2024.
Notable Works: The Attorney (2013), Misaeng (2014), Strangers from Hell (2019), Run On (2020).
Jo Yu-ri as Kim Jun-hee (Player 222)
DOB: October 22, 2001
Bio: Best known as a former member of the hit K-pop group IZ*ONE, Jo Yu-ri has transitioned into acting with critical acclaim.
For Squid Game Season 2, she undertook prenatal care research to bring authenticity to her emotionally charged role.
Trained in traditional Korean dance, her elegant physical expression contrasts hauntingly with the brutality of the games.
Role: An expectant mother whose fierce protectiveness underscores the season’s most poignant arcs.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 2: E1–8
What to Expect: Moments of maternal courage and heartbreaking sacrifice that redefine the meaning of “survival.”
Favorite Things: Free-verse poetry—she published a Jun-hee–inspired poem in 2024.
Notable Works: Idol: The Coup (2024), music career with IZ*ONE.
Cate Blanchett as The Recruiter
DOB: May 14, 1969
Bio: A two-time Academy Award winner, Cate Blanchett is globally renowned for her transformative roles across period dramas, fantasy epics, and indie thrillers.
For her Squid Game cameo, she mastered the traditional Korean game ddakji in a single afternoon and insisted on doing the flip live on camera to preserve the scene’s authentic tension.
Role: A single ddakji flip from another continent—her cameo signals the games’ ominous expansion beyond Korea.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 3: E6
What to Expect: A brief but seismic appearance that redefines the series’ scope.
Favorite Things: Tending to her orchid collection—she reportedly brought potted plants to set.
Notable Works: Elizabeth (1998), Blue Jasmine (2013), The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003), Thor: Ragnarok (2017), TÁR (2022).
More Actors
Season 1 (2021) – Original Main Cast
• Heo Sung‑tae as Jang Deok‑su (Player 101)
• Yoo Sung‑joo as Byeong‑gi (Player 111)
• Gong Yoo as Recruiter (special guest)
Season 2 (2024) – New Series Additions
• Kang Ha‑neul as Kang Dae‑ho (Player 388)
• Park Gyu‑young as Kang No‑eul (Guard 011)
• Lee Jin‑wook as Park Gyeong‑seok (Player 246)
• Park Sung‑hoon as Cho Hyun‑ju (Player 120)
• Yang Dong‑geun as Park Yong‑sik (Player 007)
• Kang Ae‑shim as Jang Geum‑ja (Player 149)
• Song Young‑chang as Im Jeong‑dae (Player 100)
• Chae Kook‑hee as Seon‑nyeo (Player 044)
• T.O.P (Choi Seung‑hyun) as Choi Su‑bong / “Thanos” (Player 230)
• Roh Jae‑won as Nam‑gyu (Player 124)
• Lee David as Park Min‑su (Player 125)
• Won Ji‑an as Se‑mi (Player 380)
• Kim Si‑eun as Kim Young‑mi (Player 095)
• Jeon Seok‑ho as Choi Woo‑seok
• Oh Dal‑su as Sea Captain Park
Season 3 (2025) – New Main Cast
• Cate Blanchett as The American Recruiter (cameo/main appearance)
FAQ – Squid Game
Is Squid Game based on a true story?
No, it’s a fictional series.
However, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has said it draws inspiration from the 2009 Ssangyong Motor workers’ strike in South Korea, using its themes of desperation and socioeconomic inequality as a narrative backdrop. PEOPLE
How many seasons and episodes are there?
The series spans 3 seasons and a total of 22 episodes, with Season 3 concluding on June 27, 2025.
Did Seong Gi-hun die in Season 3?
Yes. In the dramatic final showdown, Gi-hun willingly sacrifices himself to save a newborn competitor, who goes on to win the game.
Who won Season 3?
A newborn, officially named Player 222, is declared the winner after Gi-hun’s heroic act.
What does Cate Blanchett’s cameo mean?
She plays “The Recruiter”—a mysterious figure who emerges in the final episode, signaling that the games are expanding globally (likely into the U.S.).
What’s the prize money?
Each season offers a life-changing prize of ₩45.6 billion (about $31–38 million USD), symbolically tying into the show’s title (456 players).
Why is it called the Squid Game?
“Squid Game” is named after a real playground game—ojingeo—that South Korean children played, featuring an arena shaped like a squid.
Conclusion
In the end, Squid Game stands as a landmark in streaming television—simultaneously a brutal thriller, a searing social critique, and a deeply human drama.
Its highs and lows across three seasons prove that even in a world built on competition and desperation, moments of compassion and sacrifice shine brightest.
Whether you’re drawn to its clever game design, its complex characters, or its unflinching look at the stakes of survival, this series delivers on every front.
If you haven’t yet taken the plunge into these deadly playgrounds, gear up for one of the most unforgettable rides in modern TV—and prepare to be left thinking long after the final credits roll.