Netflix’s hit TV show Squid Game gave fans violent scenes, heartbreaking deaths, and tense moments throughout its unique levels. The show isn’t exactly known for moving acts of kindness and generosity, as these are often outweighed by horrific actions and shocking twists.
That said, there are a few moments of selflessness that highlight how participants in the brutal contest can still occasionally be kind and thoughtful. The characters’ compassionate acts are a stark contrast to what viewers typically see on the show. It’s fascinating to look back at some of the more selfless gestures that are often unexpected and surprisingly touching.
Mi-nyeo Helped Sae-byeok Spy On The Guards
Mi-nyeo isn’t the most likable character in Squid Game, as she’s often seen as obnoxious and opportunistic. However, fans can’t deny that she’s strategic, which is why she lasted as long as she did in the competition.
In episode 3, the player isn’t too happy when Sae-byeok busts into her toilet stall and interrupts her smoke break, but realizes she’s been given a crucial opportunity to advance in the next game. She helps Sae-byeok avoid detection from the guard by keeping him distracted while she crawls through the vents. It’s not a fully selfless act, as Mi-nyeo only helps her fellow player to gain information about the next game, but it’s still a good example of teamwork on the show.
Mi-nyeo Gave Deok-su The Lighter
In “The Man with the Umbrella,” the complicated relationship between Mi-nyeo and Deok-su is beginning to develop. After the gangster insults her and denies her access to his team, she lends him a helping hand in the honeycomb game.
Mi-nyeo’s smuggled lighter comes in handy and she brilliantly uses it to heat up the needle to quickly carve out the shape from the tin can. As she’s walking away, she sneakily drops the lighter on the ground next to Deok-su who sighs in relief, as he was nowhere near completing the task. While Mi-nyeo definitely had an ulterior motive to get into Deok-su’s team, it was still a kind gesture that likely saved the gangster’s life.
Sang-woo Gave Ali Bus Fare
Things have become too intense for half of the players by episode 2. They successfully end the game by voting to leave and are immediately transported back to the cities and suburbs. Unfortunately, they’re not driven straight to their homes.
Ali and Sang-woo are dropped off near a convenience store where they find out that the Pakistani’s destination is several miles away. Not only does Sang-woo lend him his phone so he could call home, but he also gives him bus fare, telling him that walking that far is an absurd idea. While Sang-woo does eventually commit one of the most horrific acts in Squid Game, this was a touching moment that shows he can be a decent person outside of the competition.
Ali Gave Sang-woo His Food
After a grueling game of Tug of War and a violent night of killing, Ali and Sang-woo find that they have no time to rest in episode 5. They become their team’s guards for the night and watch for players who may be looking to eliminate others.
When Ali sits down next to Sang-woo, he takes a corncob out of his pocket, explaining that he kept it from his rations. Sang-woo is hesitant to take it at first, but Ali persuades him by saying it’s his way of thanking him for saving his life in the previous game and for giving him bus fare when he needed it. Considering how small their daily rations are, this is a generous gift from Ali who truly believed Sang-woo was becoming his friend.
Gi-hun And Il-nam Gave Each Other Their Jackets
Il-nam’s mental state is deteriorating fast in the episode “Gganbu” and Gi-hun knows it. When the guards aggressively force the players to line up, Il-nam stays in his bed and covers himself up with a blanket. Gi-hun later realizes it’s because the old man has unfortunately urinated on his own pants. Gi-hun doesn’t hesitate to take his jacket off to wrap it around Il-nam’s pants. The player looks back at him gratefully and returns the favor a few minutes later.
When players are asked to partner up for the fourth game, Il-nam gives Gi-hun his jacket, telling him that other participants “might look down” on him “for missing it.” These are two small but selfless gestures that say a lot about the pair’s close relationship.
Sang-woo Sacrificed Himself
Sang-woo may be one of the smartest characters in Squid Game, but he’s far from being the most likable. He has done some of the more horrible things on the show, from betraying Ali to killing Sae-byeok.
In the final episode, “One Lucky Day,” he goes up against his childhood friend, Gi-hun. Right when Gi-hun is about to win, he turns back to the injured Sang-woo and tells him he’ll give up the prize money so that the two of them could walk out of there alive. Upon hearing this, Sang-woo decides to end it all and stabs his own neck with a knife. His last act doesn’t make up for all his bad deeds, but it is a moving moment that shows he still cares about the protagonist.
Gi-hun Gave Sang-woo’s Half To His Mother
Towards the end of the last episode, Gi-hun is shown spending years in a daze. The trauma he experienced during the games has driven him into a rut that is only ended by Il-nam’s confession. When he finally decides to turn his life around, the first thing he does is look for Sae-byeok’s brother like he promised her. He then goes to Sang-woo’s mother who gladly takes the young boy under her care.
At first, it seems like Gi-hun leaves the boy’s luggage full of clothes with Sang-woo’s mom. When she opens it, she sees that it’s overflowing with millions in cash. There’s a simple note that says it’s Sang-woo’s half. Gi-hun never forgot his conversation with his childhood friend about splitting the prize money and he was unselfish enough to give Sang-woo’s share to his mother.
Ali Lifted Gi-hun Up
Viewers are first introduced to the fan-favorite, Ali, in “Red Light, Green Light.” In a tense scene where it seems like Gi-hun is about to be shot for falling over, Ali catches him and uses all of his strength to lift him up and hold him in that position.
This is during the first game when all of the players are understandably panicking because of the mass murder happening around them. Instead of focusing on saving himself, Ali chooses to help a complete stranger. This won’t be the last time fans see how good-natured the player is, which is also why his death in Squid Game was so heartbreaking.
Ji-yeong Lost The Game On Purpose
The most extraordinary selfless act happens in episode 6 when the minor character, Ji-yeong, is paired up with Sae-byeok. She promises Sae-byeok that she will do anything for her to survive, which turns out to be truer than anyone expected.
As the two women contemplate their next move, Ji-yeong suggests waiting until the last few moments to play their life or death game. In the meantime, since they have nothing to lose, she says they should share their deepest secrets and dreams with each other. Fans learn about Sae-byeok’s simple dream to go to Jeju island with her family and Ji-yeong’s terrible past experiences with her abusive father. When it’s time to play their game, Ji-yeong loses on purpose, telling Sae-byeok that she has nothing to live for. There’s a tear-jerking moment as Sae-byeok walks away – Ji-yeong smiles as a guard points a gun to her head, thanking Sae-byeok and telling her how happy she is to have had the chance to meet her.