Who is the main character in Squid Game?

Last Modified Mar 12, 2025 12:44 EDT
Who is the main character in Squid Game?
Seong Gi-Hun in Squid Game. (Source: Netflix)


Seong Gi-Hun is the main character of the South Korean survival thriller horror series Squid Game. Also referred to as Player 456, he participated in and won the 33rd Squid Game in 2020. His character is portrayed by Lee Jung-jae in the series. A former gambling addict, Seong Gi-Hun spent years in debt from loan sharks before taking part in and eventually winning the Squid Game in 2020.


Writer and director Hwang Dong-hyuk is the creator of the South Korean survival drama streaming television series Squid Game. A group of people, including the show's main character Seong Gi-hun, risk their lives in the Squid Game, a secret survival game, to win a reward of ₩45.6 billion. The streaming service Netflix released it globally on September 17, 2021. A similarly named Korean children's game serves as the inspiration for the series' title.


Seong Gi-Hun’s background in Squid Game


Who is the main character in Squid Game?
Seong Gi-Hun and Cho Sang-woo during childhood. (Source: Screengrab from the show)


Born on October 31, 1974, in Ssangmun-dong, Seoul, Seong Gi-hun spent his childhood and adulthood there with his mother, Oh Mal-soon. He developed an extremely deep and brotherly bond with Cho Sang-woo, who was his childhood best friend. Together, they would play a variety of kid-friendly games, such as Dalgona, Red Light, Green Light, and Squid Game. Gi-hun claimed that he had the impression that he owned the whole world when he was playing and winning the Squid Game. He went to Daehan Technical High School when he was younger.


After sixteen years of service on Dragon Motors' Assembly Team One, Gi-hun was fired and joined his coworkers in going on strike. One of his coworkers lost their life during the strike. This coincided with the birth of his daughter, Seong Ga-yeong.


Later, Gi-hun worked as a driver for five years and owned Ga-yeong's Chicken Shop and Snack Bar for two years (until the company failed). Kang Eun-ji, his wife, remarried after being granted custody of their daughter following their divorce. To Gi-hun's dissatisfaction and anxiety, her new spouse did not appreciate seeing Ga-yeong.


How did Seong Gi-Hun participate in the 33rd Squid Game?


Who is the main character in Squid Game?
Seong Gi-Hun and the recruiting man. (Source: Screengrab from the show)


Gi-hun received an invitation to play in the 33rd Squid Game after defeating a salesman in a game of Ddakji. He consented to participate in the Squid Game in order to settle his debts and provide for his daughter, preventing her from having to leave South Korea with her mother.


What happened after Gi-Hun won the Squid Game?


Gi-hun went to see Il-nam in the Seoul Sky Tower, where the elderly man was waiting for his final breath, a year after the 33rd Squid Game ended. When Gi-hun learned that Il-nam was the mastermind and creator of the Games, he felt enraged and looked for explanations for why such a horrible game existed. Gi-hun was present when Il-nam passed away. Gi-hun made the decision to start over once he left the hospital, revamping his appearance and reviving his life.


Read more about Squid Game:


What is squid game about

Who made squid game

When is squid game season 2 coming out

FAQs about Squid Game

A. Seong Gi-Hun, portrayed by Lee Jung-jae, is the main character of the South Korean survival thriller horror series Squid Game.

A. Seong Ga-yeong is Seong Gi-Hun’s daughter in the series.

A. The prize money of ₩45.6 billion was deposited into Seong Gi-Hun’s account by the end of season 1 of Squid Game.

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