Created by Hwang Dong-hyuk,Squid Gamebecame a global phenomenon after its release on Netflix in 2021. It follows the lives of desperate individuals who are lured into a mysterious and deadly competition. The show received widespread critical acclaim for its story-telling, acting, and character development and became one of Netflix’s biggest stories.
Season 2 premieres on December 26th, and, despite not being quite as acclaimed as the groundbreaking original, has still gone on to be one ofthe most talked-about shows of the moment.
Squid Game
Squid Gameis a show that examines the dark side of the human psyche. Placing people in extreme, life or death situations is a surefire way to bring out the worst in humankind, and here we count down the most despicable characters, from those behind the games themselves to the most ruthless and manipulative contestants.
10Han Mi-nyeo (Season 1)
The case for Han Mi-nyeo’s inclusion on the list is not as clear-cut as others, but ultimately, her opportunistic and self-serving nature makes her a hard character to root for. While enjoyable to watch, her erratic shifts between being a vulnerable and desperate woman to being deceitful and selfish make for a dangerous combination.
Han Mi-nyeo Uses Emotional Manipulation
Clearly a woman who has suffered hardship, she uses this to her advantage, emotionally manipulating and using her sexuality as a way to get what she wants. One of the more entertaining characters, her constant shifting between extremes creates an unsettling and untrustworthy impression.
9Seon-nyeo (Season 2)
A spiritual shaman, Seon-nyeo has an eerie and unsettling demeanor. Despite this, contestants initially write her off as just being a bit odd but it soon becomes apparent her creepiness is the least of their worries.
Seon-nyeo Shifts From Creepy to Vile
Seon-nyeo is a rather arrogant woman with a big ego, this being influenced by her past as a renowned Shaman. She uses this position to manipulate others into believing she possesses mystical powers, furthering her ability to control and deceive those around her. When dealing with those who she’s unable to manipulate, she becomes rude and aggressive, even going as far as to curse and wish death upon them.
8Im Jeong-Dae (Season 2)
Im Jeng-Dae is another character who displays moral bankruptcy in his approach to the game. Always pushing for others to vote to stay in the game, he is determined to win the money by any means necessary.
Im Jeong-Dae Is Fueled by Greed
No matter the sum of the prize money, it never seems good enough for Im Jeong-Dae, and he is insistent he needs more. When it came to the games themselves, he showed no regard for human life and always put himself above others. Outside the games, he is brutal and bombastic and doesn’t hesitate to eliminate anyone who stands in his way.
7Cho Sang-woo (Season 1)
Initially introduced as a close childhood friend of lead protagonist Gi-hun, Cho Sang-woo presented as an amiable character. He befriended other contestants in the game and was looked up to as a trusted companion.
Cho Sang-woo’s Loyalty Goes Out the Window
It wasn’t long before Cho Sang-woo’s true colors came to light. As the intensity increased, he quickly betrayed friends within the game to further himself. The most shocking betrayal is when he tricks his friend, fan favorite Ali, to hand over his marbles, resulting in him losing the game and ultimately his life.
6Nam-Gyu (Season 2)
From the get-go, former club promoter Nam-Gyu is incredibly unlikable. Dependent on narcotics and a sycophant to Thanos, he is presented as an all-round unpleasant character. He bullies and intimidates contestants and is quick to resort to violence.
The More We See and Learn of Nam-Gyu, the More Unlikable He Becomes
Despite never being a likable character, after the death of Thanos, Nam-Gyu becomes even more unhinged. His more aggressive and violent side rises to the surface and there is no reasoning with him.
5Captain Park (Season 2)
Captain Park is a character introduced later on in the series as he supposedly saves the life of Jun ho. Posing as a lowly fisherman and sea captain, he is believed to be uninvolved in the game and is hired by Jun ho’s team to aid them in their search for the Squid Game island.
There’s More to Captain Park Than Initially Meets the Eye
One night on the boat a team member catches Park interfering with the drone, most likely adding a tracking device. With his duplicitous nature being discovered, Park swiftly murders the man and throws him over the boat, to prevent himself from being exposed.
The revelation suggests that Park is in cahoots with the Squid Game frontman and rescued Jun ho only to keep an eye on him. It’s likely he is responsible for tipping off the frontman regarding the team’s progress and, in the process, hindering them discovering the island and even alerting enforcers who set a booby trap which killed a team member.
4Jang Deok-su (Season 1)
When it comes to season 1, Jang Deok-su stood head and shoulders above the other contestants as the most ruthless and unlikable. A gangster with no regard for human life, he bullies and manipulates his way through the games, leaving a path of death and suffering in his wake.
Jang Deok-su Displays no Remorse
Throughout his violent tenure inSquid Game, Jang Deok-su shows no restraint in resorting to violent and aggressive tactics with his behavior only getting worse. Making him even more morally reprehensible is his total lack of remorse.
3Hwang In-ho, The Front Man (Oh Young-il) (Seasons 1 & 2)
As we get to know the new contestants in season 2, The Front Man, who introduces himself as Oh Young-il and quickly establishes himself as one of the more loyal, friendly, and empathetic contestants in the game, forms an alliance with Gi-hun and proves to be a capable competitor with a plausible backstory explaining how he wound up in the game.
He Was Concealing His True Identity
Actually Hwang In-ho, the Front Man and top figure in the running of the entire games and the man responsible for the death and suffering that comes with them, he gives very little reason for his fellow contestants to doubt him until Jung Bae witnesses him kill a man in cold blood during a particularly tense moment in a game.
While this did raise concerns within Jung-Bae, he put it down to a necessity of the game and continued to trust him. However, towards the end, he turns against his fellow contestants and shoots them in the back as they make their way to save Gi-hun and escape.
2VIPs (Season 1)
The VIPs, first depicted in season 1, are made up of a select few wealthy elite who view the games from afar for their own amusement. Furthermore, they treat the contestants as mere commodities by betting on the deadly outcomes of the games as a way to make money and for entertainment.
Without the VIPs, It’s Likely the Games Would Cease to Exist
The VIPs act as an integral part in the running of the Squid Game, and one of the main reasons it exists. Embodying the pinnacle of greed, corruption, and moral decay, these immoral individuals are arguably just as much to blame for the inhumanity of Squid Game as the creator himself.
1Oh Il-nam (Player 001) (Season 1)
The title for the most despicable character has to go to the Oh Ill-nam. The mastermind behind the entire twisted Squid Game, he is responsible for the suffering and deaths of thousands purely for his own amusement, demonstrating a chilling lack of empathy and humanity. His justification about his desire to test human nature does little to redeem the man from the utter misery and devastation he has caused.
He Duped Us All
Initially presented as an elderly and vulnerable contestant in the games, one meant to evoke sympathy from audiences, the revelation of his true character only makes him more despicable.
