The Squid game is that show. The edge of the seat, nail biting, Korean drama series has made a mark globally and has gone on record to be the most watched Netflix show ever, thanks to its compelling plot and unforgettable characters.
The South Korean survival drama series has everyone’s tongue wagging with different scenarios that could have played out if they were in the game. There have even been rumors that variations of the Squid Game are being played in different countries, which I find very odd. Did people watch the series at all?
K-dramas have never been my thing. The direction of the movies almost always results in the same way, but I have to commend everyone involved in the making of Squid Game. Watching the show temporarily erased all my reservations about K-dramas (because they will be back as soon as I watch Descendants of The Sun/Boys Over Flower).
The violent events in Netflix’s Squid Game brought out the worst in each player, but some characters were still very likeable while some just made you wish you could literally get inside your screen and smack their heads. Here are 8 characters from the Squid Game I hated and loved:
1. Player 101 (Jang Deok-Su)
Let’s start with this good for nothing monster; the man who was responsible for some of the most horrifying actions in Squid Game; from starting a riot that killed some of the players, to pushing people to their deaths in the fifth game. This man was evil.
Maybe it was his face, but anytime I saw him sneer I immediately felt the urge to smack his square head.
His violence did not surprise me because even outside the game, he was the devil. I have seen tweets and TikToks from people saying how sexy his character was. Well, I beg to differ. God forbid.
2. Player 218 (Cho Sang-Woo)
You see this one? “I am objective, I go after what I want and nothing stands in my way.” Run away from people like this.
Run.
His character decided that the wisdom that led him to lose billions of won in the real world would win him the money in the Squid Game. Of course, he was a colossal idiot.
However, he did help his team get through some challenging rounds like in the Tug of War game, but still he was so quick to betray his closest friends like when he let Gi-hun pick the umbrella in the second game and when he tricked Ali in the fourth. He really lost all his morals because of small 45 billion won, and still he didn’t even win.
3. Player 212 (Han Mi-Nyeo)
I loved her in the end. So poetic. So beautiful.
Mi-nyeo was very loud and embarrassing, I honestly disliked her character at first. Up until her death, she was also an idiot.
She was a real hustler though. She hustled, cheated and forced her way through until the very end. Killing herself and Deok-su in the fifth game was rather disturbing to watch because she was ready to give it all up just so she could exact revenge on him like she promised she would do if he betrayed her, which he did. The look on her face when she was falling to her death was -, I can’t unsee the satisfaction in her eyes. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
4. Player 001 (Oh Il-Nam)
The way my dislike for this man crept up, shocked me.
I pitied him all through and really thought he was going through it, because he introduced himself as an old man with a brain tumour. However, in the last episode it was revealed that Il-nam was the smartest character in the Squid Game.
He was the mastermind behind it all who just wanted to participate so he could “feel alive” again. Any sympathy I felt for him before then automatically vanished.
5. Player 067 (Kang Sae-Byeok)
When you say someone is badass, this is who they are referring to. I grew to love Sae-byeok throughout the episodes thanks to her strength and will to survive for her brother. Her character’s death surprised and shocked me, mostly because I didn’t see it coming.
6. Player 456 (Seong Gi-Hun)
Have you seen Money Heist? Remember Arturo? That’s exactly the vibe I got from his character.
He stole from his mom, gambled away all his money, lost his wife, disappointed his daughter, played the game stupidly and disappointed his daughter again and again. It was very easy to dislike his character but it was also easy to empathize with him.
He made it through till the very end thanks to his bravery and a lot of luck. (Imagine if in the fifth game, the other player who decided to go first hadn’t approached him and he, Gi-hun actually went first? he would have died immediately) it was really a game of luck. He remained kind and empathetic throughout despite everything he had been through, which is what made his character so likeable.
7. Number 29 (Hwang Jun-Ho)
I really think this one had a death wish because I have never seen a police officer act so reckless. Imagine looking for your brother, going into an unknown location without calling for backup or leaving a trail. I wanted to smack his fine head. His character was really stupid brave.
8. Player 199 (Ali Abdul)
Even though he was WAY too naive and trusting in a game based on survival, Ali didn’t deserve the injustice or the betrayal he received. Right from the very first episode, he was willing to do all he could to keep his friends alive. Remember when he risked his life to save Gi-hun during the first game of ‘Red Light, Green Light’ ?
I almost want to cry remembering his role and how dutiful he was. The look on his face when he realised he had been betrayed by Sang-woo; the disappointment, sadness and shock was so hard to watch. If Sang-woo hadn’t died as well, I’m sure Ali would have haunted him forever.
The plot truly was amazing, the cinematography was interesting and the actors did the damn thing!