It's a paradox to call anyone from Netflix's hit series Squid Game "brave." Technically, all the players are brave in choosing of their own free will (seemingly) to play in the games. However, by many acts of cowardice, it would be difficult to label many of them as being brave at all.

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Characters like the gangster Jang Deok-Su (player 101) might be considered brave since he opted to play and acted like a bully but it was all an illusion since he continued to hide behind others while putting on a brave face. While most other characters on Squid Game did terrible things, however, some were braver than others.

Cho Sang-woo (218)

Cho Sang-woo among a crowd in Squid Game.

The last thing Sang-woo should be called is brave but not many players in the game fit the description. After defrauding his clients in the real world, Sang-woo resorted to playing game in an effort to both run away from his problems and try and find a way to solve them.

In some ways, Sang-woo could be considered brave for being brazen enough to do some of the despicable things he did, like betray Abdul for his own self-preservation and slit Sae-byeok's throat when she was already on the verge of death. But really, when it comes to bravery, Sang-woo only makes the cut for having the guts to do truly evil and despicable things.

Abdul Ali (199)

Abdul Ali looks angrily in front of him in the Netflix show Squid Game.

While Abdul was a fan favorite, and the most likable character on Squid Game, he wasn't exactly the most brave person. He did show bravery by agreeing to join the games for the sake of his family, even though he knew the literal life and death risks.

But Abdul was easily influenced by the others, particularly Sang-woo, who took advantage of Abdul's vulnerability. Abdul was smart, caring, and knowledgeable. He was brave in that he was trusting of others, but sadly, that didn't help him make it to the end.

Oh Il-Nam (001)

Il-Nam smiles in an outside area with other players in the Netflix show Squid Game.

While Il-nam quicky went from beloved to despised character, there's no denying that he was brave. He faced his brain cancer diagnosis with courage and even put himself right in the middle of the games, even though chances are people were watching out for him to ensure he was never actually in danger.

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He sat face-to-face for days with the very people he tempted to join the games, knowing the entire time that they were literal pawns in something he created. While it was a horrible thing to do, it also took a lot of courage. Il-nam did not fear death, which made him braver than most.

Han Mi-nyeo (212)

Han Mi-nyeo reluctantly raises her hand in her green track suit in Squid Game.

Mi-nyeo showed tremendous bravery on a few occasions, first when she did her best to distract guards while Sae-byeok investigated what was going on the kitchen by crawling through the ceiling vents. This was one of the most selfless things a character did on Squid Game. She was also brave by joining the games in the first place, despite being in a vulnerable position, looked down upon not only because of her gender but also her age.

But Mi-nyeo's bravest, though not admirable, moment was when she got her revenge on Deok-su by tightening her arms around his waist then falling backyards off the glass bridge, causing them both to plummet to their deaths.

Sang-woo's Mother

Cho Sang-woo looking upset in Squid Game.

Interestingly, one of the bravest people on the show was not a player at all but actually Cho Sang-woo's mother. She ran a market on her own, and held her son in the highest regard, even though he had been going behind her back risking everything.

When Gi-hun visited her with a young boy who needed a home, she didn't hesitate to take him in and care for him, despite her not having much herself. She demonstrated not only bravery but also a level of kindness the others did not possess.

Guard (Episode 3)

The guard from Squid Game after removing his mask when being confronted.

While he was only unmasked for a split second, that one guard showed tremendous bravery in removing his mask even though he knew it would most certainly lead to his death one way or another.

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There was something about the lost, sad, and dejected look on the unnamed guard's face that made fans sympathize with all of those working for the games. As the guard was asked, what had they done to him? It was even more jarring to see how young he was.

Ji-yeong (240)

Ji-yeong sitting on the stairs in her blue tracksuit in Squid Game.

Ji-yeong decided early on that she was going to sacrifice her life for Sae-byeok. But instead of getting it over with quickly, she used her time to bond with Sae-byeok, telling her personal story while learning more about Sae-byeok's. She spoke with such hope about the future, thus giving Sae-byeok hope that things could be better.

Then, in the ultimate moment of self-sacrifice, she purposely lost the game so Sae-byeok could try to win and save her mother and little brother. It was one of the bravest, and saddest, moments on the show.

Hwang Jun-ho

Hwang Jun-Ho looking at a business card in Squid Game

It takes a lot of bravery to sneak onto a remote island where a deadly game is taking place to find out what's going on and locate your missing brother. Jun-ho didn't just make his way there, he also stole the identity of a guard than put his life at risk at every turn, hoping he wasn't discovered.

He secretly recorded footage and even tried to run away to reveal the truth, only once he knew he had enough evidence. Jun-ho faced death at every turn, not to mention had to witness so much death without being able to do anything about it. While he did meet the end of his brother's gun, Reddit fan theories about Squid Game suggest he might not actually be dead.

Seong Gi-hun (456)

Seong Gi-Hun looking confused in Squid Game

Gi-hun got better and better as the series went on, demonstrating how brave he was in a number of instances, including being willing to switch his apron number with another man before realizing what each meant for the tug of war game, and choosing to partner with Il-Nam even though he thought he would be playing with his partner, not against him, in the marble game.

Gi-hun's final act of bravery within the games was choosing not to kill Sang-woo in the final Squid Game match, the most difficult of all the games. Instead, he was willing to give up all the money to keep his honor and self-respect.

Kang Sae-byeok (067)

Kang Sae-byeok looks on with a helpless expression in Squid Game.

There really was no one in the games as brave as Sae-byeok. She did not cross anyone who didn't deserve to be crossed and she was willing to help others, even if it meant she would have to work harder. She also let her guard down when it mattered and was able to stand up for herself, even when others underestimated her.

But most importantly, Sae-byeok was in the games to help her mother and little brother. She was willing to do whatever it took. This not only showed how desperate her situation was but also how brave she was to take on the responsibility of caring for her family.

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