Is Sae Byeok alive in Squid Game?

Last Modified Mar 20, 2025 13:03 EDT
Is Sae Byeok alive in Squid Game
Sae-byeok (Source: Instagram)


Sae-byeok dies in the 8th episode of Squid Game.


Squid Game is a South Korean survival thriller show on Netflix, directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk. The show became Netflix's most-watched series within its first four weeks of release. The show highlights human psychology, humanity, and the lengths people will go to for money and survival. The cast of the show includes Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon, Park Hae-soo, HoYeon Jung, O Yeong-su, Kim Joo-ryoung, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi, etc.


The show follows 456 contestants who accept the offer to participate in children's games for a chance to win big prize money. Things turn chaotic when it turns out to be a deadly survival game. Each contestant had a backstory that explained why they joined the game. Some of these backstories stood out and added depth to the storyline, and among them is Kang Sae-byeok, also known as Player 067, who became a fan favorite because of her personality and emotional background. The audience was devastated by the tragic end of her character. Let's take a look at what happened to Sae-byeok at the end of the season.


Is Sae-byeok alive in Squid Game?


Is Sae Byeok alive in Squid Game
Sae-byeok and Ji-yeong in Squid Game (Source: Instagram)


At the end of Episode 7, at the end of the Glass Bridge challenge, only Sae-byeok, Gi-hun, and Sang-woo were left in the competition. After the completion of the game, the glass panels of the bridge exploded, injuring three of them. Sae-byeok was severely injured by the glass but hid it from the others. The three of them became the finalists of the game and were invited to a dinner in formal outfits. The players were left with the knives after the dinner. Gi-hun asks Sae-byeok to team up against Sang-woo as he can go to any extent to win the game.


Sae-byeok begs Gi-hun to promise that whoever wins will take care of the other's family. She stops Gi-hun as he tries to kill Sang-woo while he is asleep, reminding him that he is not a murderer. Over time, Sae-byeok's injury got worse, so Gi-hun went to ask the guards for help. In a turn of events, while Gi-hun was away asking for help, Sang-woo took advantage of the situation and killed Sae-byeok. The guards arrived and took her body away.


Who is Sae-byeok in Squid Game?


Is Sae Byeok alive in Squid Game
Sae-byeok in Squid Game (Source: Instagram)


Kang Sae-byeok, played by Jung Ho-yeon, was a North Korean defector introduced as Player No. 067 in the competition. She only has her younger brother left in her family. The rest of her family died, and her mother was sent back to North Korea when she was caught. Her brother stays away from her in a shelter while she earns money by pickpocketing and working with gangsters. She wants to earn enough money to buy her own house and bring her mother to South Korea so they can live together.


She enters the Squid Game to win prize money and give money to a broker to buy a house. She stays calm, uses her intelligence in every situation, and doesn’t show her emotions much. She survives the first few games and forms alliances with Gi-hun, Sang-woo, and others. They protect her when she gets targeted by Deok-su. She also forms an alliance with Ji-yeong and they pair up for the marbles game. Ji-yeong sacrifices herself for Sae-byeok so that she can win the money and live with her family. Sae-byeok becomes one of the three finalists who reach the end of the competition, but she eventually gets killed.


The tragic end of her character was an emotional moment for the audience. Her character stood out in the show and was praised by critics and audiences on the internet.


Read more about Squid Game:


Did the Old Man die in Squid Game

How did Ji-yeong die in Squid Game

What is squid game about

Who wins squid game the challenge

FAQs about Squid Game

A. Jung Ho-yeon plays the role of Kang Sae-byeok in Squid Game.

A. Yes, Sae-byeok died in Squid Game.

A. The release date of Squid Game Season 2 is December 26, 2024.

Related Stories

“Got my family around”: Adolescence star Owen Cooper shares what keeps his ‘feet on the ground’ after the Netflix’s drama’s instant success “Got my family around”: Adolescence star Owen Cooper shares what keeps his ‘feet on the ground’ after the Netflix’s drama’s instant success
“Got my family around”: Adolescence star Owen Cooper shares what keeps his ‘feet on the ground’ after the Netflix’s drama’s instant success
1d
Where can you stream the Golden Globes 2026? Details explored Where can you stream the Golden Globes 2026? Details explored
Where can you stream the Golden Globes 2026? Details explored
1d
Mike White’s The White Lotus Season 4 reveals its hotel location in France: Here’s what we know so far Mike White’s The White Lotus Season 4 reveals its hotel location in France: Here’s what we know so far
Mike White’s The White Lotus Season 4 reveals its hotel location in France: Here’s what we know so far
2d
“I’ve got my family around me”: Adolescence star Owen Cooper talks about how he is managing fame at the young age of 16 “I’ve got my family around me”: Adolescence star Owen Cooper talks about how he is managing fame at the young age of 16
“I’ve got my family around me”: Adolescence star Owen Cooper talks about how he is managing fame at the young age of 16
1d
"Going to be an immersive experience": The Pitt star Noah Wyle shares key details about the HBO Max drama's casting process "Going to be an immersive experience": The Pitt star Noah Wyle shares key details about the HBO Max drama's casting process
"Going to be an immersive experience": The Pitt star Noah Wyle shares key details about the HBO Max drama's casting process
2d
"Here to help them get on the same page": Maxxed Out's Leah explains Cory nominating Nina over her spending habits "Here to help them get on the same page": Maxxed Out's Leah explains Cory nominating Nina over her spending habits
"Here to help them get on the same page": Maxxed Out's Leah explains Cory nominating Nina over her spending habits
1d
Fleishman Is in Trouble cast and characters: Here's who brought the 2022 Hulu drama to life Fleishman Is in Trouble cast and characters: Here's who brought the 2022 Hulu drama to life
Fleishman Is in Trouble cast and characters: Here's who brought the 2022 Hulu drama to life
2d
A Thousand Blows: Should you watch or skip the Hulu drama? A viewer's guide A Thousand Blows: Should you watch or skip the Hulu drama? A viewer's guide
A Thousand Blows: Should you watch or skip the Hulu drama? A viewer's guide
1d
Jon Snow was originally offered to a different Game of Thrones star, details explored Jon Snow was originally offered to a different Game of Thrones star, details explored
Jon Snow was originally offered to a different Game of Thrones star, details explored 
1d
Manifest stars are back together again (but not where you’d expect) Manifest stars are back together again (but not where you’d expect)
Manifest stars are back together again (but not where you’d expect)
1d