The 10 Most Despicable Characters in ‘Squid Game,’ Ranked

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Originating from Hwang Dong-hyuk, Squid Game gained worldwide fame following its 2021 debut on Netflix. The series centers around financially struggling individuals drawn into a dangerous and lethal tournament. Critics applauded the show for its compelling narrative, acting performances, and character development, ultimately making it one of Netflix’s most successful productions.

The second season debuts on December 26th, and although it hasn’t received quite the same level of critical praise as its trailblazing predecessor, it has certainly generated a lot of buzz and become a hot topic among viewers.

The series Squid Game delves into the disturbing aspects of human nature. By subjecting individuals to intense, survival-based scenarios, it becomes evident how easily humanity can succumb to its worst instincts. This show ranks the most appalling characters, ranging from those orchestrating the games themselves to the most cold-hearted and scheming competitors.

10
Han Mi-nyeo (Season 1)

Although Han Mi-nyeo’s presence on the list is debatable compared to others, her manipulative and self-centered personality makes it challenging to sympathize with her. Despite finding her entertaining, her unpredictable transitions from appearing vulnerable and desperate to being deceitful and greedy create a potentially hazardous mix.

Han Mi-nyeo Uses Emotional Manipulation

In a remarkable manner, I’ve come to appreciate her resilience birthed from adversity. She skillfully leverages her emotional depth and charisma, often leaving me guessing her true intentions. This intriguing woman, with her dramatic shifts between contrasting extremes, leaves an unsettling yet captivating imprint that stirs questions about her trustworthiness.

9
Seon-nyeo (Season 2)

A mystical figure named Seon-nyeo carries an unusual and unnerving presence. At first, competitors may dismiss her as merely peculiar, but it swiftly reveals that her eerie behavior pales in comparison to the true source of their concerns.

Seon-nyeo Shifts From Creepy to Vile

Seon-nyeo is a woman who, due to her past as a well-known shaman, carries an air of arrogance and a strong sense of self-importance. She exploits this status to trick others into thinking she has supernatural abilities, thereby enhancing her power to dominate and deceive those in her vicinity. Towards individuals she cannot sway, she displays impoliteness and aggression, resorting to profanity and wishing harm upon them.

8
Im Jeong-Dae (Season 2)

In a different wording, the character named Jeng-Dae exhibits questionable ethical behavior during the game. He consistently encourages others to keep playing, and his relentless pursuit of winning suggests that he’s willing to resort to any tactics to secure the prize money.

Im Jeong-Dae Is Fueled by Greed

Regardless of the total prize money, Im Jeong-Dae consistently feels that it’s not sufficient, and he persistently demands more. During the games, he demonstrated a disregard for human life, often placing himself before others. Outside the games, he is ruthless and boisterous, swift to eliminate anyone who poses a threat to him.

7
Cho Sang-woo (Season 1)

To begin with, Cho Sang-woo is first depicted as a close friend of the main character Gi-hun during their childhood. Throughout the story, he comes across as a friendly character. He formed alliances with other players in the game and was respected as a reliable ally by them.

Cho Sang-woo’s Loyalty Goes Out the Window

In no time at all, Cho Sang-woo’s hidden nature emerged. As things heated up, he swiftly backstabbed his fellow players to advance, with the most astounding act being when he deceived beloved character Ali, causing him to surrender his marbles and eventually leading to his defeat in the game and ultimately, his demise.

6
Nam-Gyu (Season 2)

Right from the start, it’s clear that Nam-Gyu, a former club promoter, comes across as extremely dislikable. He’s addicted to drugs and overly obsequious towards Thanos, making him a character who is difficult to like in every aspect. He often mistreats contestants with bullying and intimidation, and he’s quick to resort to violence.

The More We See and Learn of Nam-Gyu, the More Unlikable He Becomes

Regardless of his dislikability, following the demise of Thanos, Nam-Gyu exhibits an alarming increase in instability. His previously hidden hostile and combative traits come to light, making it impossible to reason with him.

5
Captain Park (Season 2)

Captain Park is a character who joins the series later on, appearing to rescue Jun ho’s life. Disguised as a simple fisherman and ship captain, he seems detached from the game’s intrigues. However, it is suspected that he is not entirely unconnected, as he is employed by Jun ho’s team to assist them in their quest to find the Squid Game island.

There’s More to Captain Park Than Initially Meets the Eye

On one dark evening aboard the vessel, a crew member observes Park suspiciously tampering with the drone, possibly installing a tracking device. As his deceitful actions come to light, Park resorts to violence, fatally attacking the individual and subsequently casting him overboard, aiming to conceal his wrongdoings.

The hint implies that Park may be collaborating with the leader of Squid Game and saved Jun ho merely to monitor him closely. It’s plausible he leaked information about the team’s advancements to the leader, thus delaying their discovery of the island and even warning the enforcers who set a trap, ultimately resulting in a team member’s death.

4
Jang Deok-su (Season 1)

In terms of season 1, Jang Deok-su clearly outshone other competitors as the most brutal and unsympathetic character. With little respect for human life, he resorted to bullying and manipulation to navigate the games, creating a trail of destruction and misery behind him.

Jang Deok-su Displays no Remorse

During his ruthless stint in Squid Game, the character Jang Deok-su exhibits an unchecked propensity for using forceful and abrasive methods. His conduct deteriorates further over time, making him all the more ethically repugnant due to his complete absence of regret.

3
Hwang In-ho, The Front Man (Oh Young-il) (Seasons 1 & 2)

In the second season, The Front Man, identified as Oh Young-il, rapidly earns a reputation for being one of the most loyal, friendly, and compassionate contestants. He forges an alliance with Gi-hun and demonstrates his competitive prowess, backed by a convincing backstory that sheds light on how he ended up in this game.

He Was Concealing His True Identity

Initially, it’s Hwang In-ho, the leader and key figure in managing all games, who appears trustworthy to his co-contestants. However, doubts begin to arise when Jung Bae sees Hwang murder a man in cold blood during a high-stress game moment.

Initially, these actions sparked doubts within Jung-Bae, but he attributed them to the demands of the game and chose to maintain faith in him. Later on, however, he betrays his fellow competitors by shooting them from behind as they attempted to rescue Gi-hun and flee the scene.

2
VIPs (Season 1)

In the early stages, we see a group known as the VIPs, who are affluent individuals with a penchant for spectacle. They watch the games from a distance, deriving pleasure from them much like an audience at a show. However, their amusement comes at the expense of the participants, whom they regard as disposable assets. They wager on the lethal outcomes of these games not just as a means to accumulate wealth, but also for sheer entertainment.

Without the VIPs, It’s Likely the Games Would Cease to Exist

The VIPs play a crucial role in the organization of the Squid Game, being one of its primary reasons for existence. Representing the epitome of greed, corruption, and moral degeneracy, these immoral figures might share equal responsibility with the creator for the cruelty depicted in the Squid Game.

1
Oh Il-nam (Player 001) (Season 1)

The title for the most reprehensible character undoubtedly belongs to Oh Ill-nam, the architect of the gruesome Squid Game. With him orchestrating the event that led to the pain and loss of countless lives, he showcases a shocking disregard for empathy and human life, using their suffering as mere entertainment. Despite his claims about testing human nature, they do little to soften the man’s image, which is deeply stained by the sorrow and destruction he has brought upon many.

He Duped Us All

At first, he was portrayed as a frail and pitiful competitor in the games, intended to elicit sympathy from spectators. However, uncovering his real persona only serves to make him more detestable.

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2025-01-11 04:32