Netflix’s Squid Game has become a massive hit thanks to its compelling plot and unforgettable characters. Some of the more memorable people in the competition have shown that they can be likable despite their horrific actions.
When hundreds of players are pitted against each other in a life or death game, viewers are able to see just how far they can go to survive. The most likable main characters on the show have a good reason to keep fighting and still manage to be empathetic in the violent competition.
Oh Il-nam
Player 001 introduces himself as a likable feeble old man with a brain tumor. Gi-hun is immediately drawn to him and does whatever he can to protect the player until the fourth game when he, unfortunately, has to trick the old man to survive. Viewers learn his name then – Oh Il-nam – before he’s shot by a guard in one of the saddest moments on the show.
In a mind-blowing twist in the last episode, it’s revealed that Il-nam is the smartest character in Squid Game. He’s the mastermind behind the violent competition who just wanted to join in so he could “feel alive” again. Any sympathy viewers felt for him likely vanished at this point, as he manipulated both players and audiences into thinking he was just another defenseless victim of the VIPs.
Jang Deok-su
Deok-su is the archetypal gangster who enjoys bullying others to feel superior. He is responsible for some of the most horrific actions in Squid Game, including starting a riot that killed several players. His only strategy to stay alive is to use others and put them in harm’s way.
Seeing him push people to their death in the fifth game is difficult to watch, but not unexpected from the aggressive character. Despite his cutthroat moves though, most fans know that he was just pushed into a corner like the rest of the players, and it was still jarring to see the fear in his eyes as he fell to his death.
Hwang In-ho
The Front Man, also known as In-ho, is in charge of making sure that the games run smoothly. He takes care of any disturbances and is responsible for welcoming and entertaining the VIPs. One of these interruptions is Jun-ho’s infiltration of the island. With a police officer on the loose, the entire competition could be compromised.
In another shocking moment in the show, it’s revealed that In-ho is actually Jun-ho’s missing brother. The police officer is coldheartedly shot by In-ho who has become hardened after winning his iteration of the contest. By doing this, he proves that the deadly competition matters more to him than his own family – it’s an upsetting scene that reminds viewers how far In-ho will go to keep the games safe every single year.
Cho Sang-woo
An unpopular opinion about Squid Game is that Sang-woo isn’t so bad. He has quickly become a polarizing character in the fanbase, with some arguing that his awful actions were justified. However, most fans would still agree that Sang-woo’s sacrifice in the last episode doesn’t make up for all of his betrayals.
While Sang-woo did help his team get through some challenging rounds like in Tug of War, this was more for his own survival than anything else. He’s 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 one. It’s understandable that some fans still feel bad for the player, as he was only trying to redeem his reputation so he could face his mom without any shame.
Han Mi-nyeo
Mi-nyeo is a loud and obnoxious character that no one really likes at first. She manipulates players like Deok-su so that she could get into the strongest team. Her tactics only get her so far, however, as players unsurprisingly turn her away and leave her alone in the fourth game – she survives after she’s identified as the “weakest link” in the entire competition.
The turning point for this character happens in the fifth game, where she reminds both viewers and Deok-su that she keeps her word. It was disturbing to see the satisfaction and acceptance in her eyes as she hugged Deok-su and pulled him down from the platform. She was brave enough to give it all up to exact revenge on the devious gangster, just like she promised she would do if he ever betrayed her.
Hwang Jun-ho
There’s no questioning the fact that Jun-ho is a smart and skilled character. It takes guts and wit to infiltrate the well-guarded island and learn their system without getting caught. His determination to find his missing brother is admirable, which is why his devastating death hit fans hard.
Jun-ho wanted nothing more than to rescue his brother who turned out to be The Front Man and his eventual killer. His attempt at doing the right thing and reporting the competition to the authorities came too late, as he was too immersed in his own goal of searching for In-ho. He could’ve done a lot of things differently, but it’s understandable that the heroic character would make mistakes in such a stressful environment.
Ji-yeong
Fans probably didn’t expect Ji-yeong to be such a likable player. At first, she seems like a nonchalant person who is quick to berate one of her teammates for his loud prayers. In the next game, she unexpectedly offers to be Sae-byeok’s partner, which turns out to be a disastrous decision.
As the two wait for the last few minutes of the game, Ji-yeong opens up about her chaotic past. She tells the tragic story of how she ended up in jail after she murdered her abusive father. Ji-yeong tells Sae-byeok that unlike her, she has nothing to live for. She purposely loses the game so that Sae-byeok could survive. Fans were likely choking back tears as the courageous Ji-yeong cried in her last moments, saying how happy she was that she had a chance to meet Sae-byeok.
Kang Sae-byeok
As a North Korean defector, Sae-byeok has learned to rely on nobody else except herself to survive the toughest situations. However, throughout the course of the competition, she learns to trust others like Gi-hun, Sang-woo, and Ali. She eventually becomes more vulnerable, even opening up about her family and aspirations to Ji-yeong in the fourth game.
Fans have grown to love Sae-byeok throughout the episodes, thanks to her strength and unwavering will to survive for her brother. This is why her character’s demise was one of the most heartbreaking deaths in Squid Game. Her moving conversation with Gi-hun right before her death is a poignant scene that fans won’t soon forget.
Seong Gi-hun
The protagonist of the show is not meant to be an ideal hero. As an imperfect father and a gambler, Gi-hun is a flawed character who makes mistakes. This is precisely what makes it easier to empathize with him and applaud him for making hard decisions during the games.
Thanks to his wit, bravery, and a lot of luck, Gi-hun makes it through until the very end. He’s willing to sacrifice the entire prize money just to save Sang-woo, showing how empathetic and kind he still is despite everything he’s been through. There’s a good chance that fans will see more of his bravery and determination if the show is renewed for another season.
Abdul Ali
Ali is easily the most likable character on the show. From the very first episode, the kindhearted player shows he’s willing to risk his own life to save Gi-hun by lifting him up in ‘Red Light, Green Light.’ As an immigrant, he knows what it’s like to be mistreated by cruel individuals, and he doesn’t want anyone else to experience hardships like he did.
Ali works with Gi-hun and their team to win every game. His strength is invaluable in Tug of War and during the violent riots. He’s willing to do everything he can to keep his friends alive, which unfortunately makes it easy for Sang-woo to trick him in the fourth game. The look of disappointment, shock, and sadness on Ali’s face as he realizes what Sang-woo has done is almost unbearable to watch. He was too trusting and naive to survive the vicious competition.