Player 456 is returning for more heart-pounding and deadly children’s games. But this time around, he’s armed with a hidden agenda. The events of season 1 changed him. And he’s going to do everything he can do take down the game. Along the way though, he’s going to also make sure that he tries to save as many people as he can. Question is, who is joining our lead Gi-hun in Squid Game season 2?
Thanks to a new cast video from Netflix, we’ve got the entire rundown with backstories for each cast member, including the changes our lead is going through!
Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun
Gi-hun doesn’t have the power of the game and the Frontman. But that hasn’t stopped him from planning, exchanging money in shady deals and arming himself up for the battle to come. Because things are different from his first time in the game, where he lacked purpose. He has the drive now. And he’ll do anything to stop the game.
Lee Byung-hun as Frontman
The Frontman continues to be the mastermind behind Squid Game. Having already been through the game, his perspective is the opposite of Gi-hun. He thinks that there’s no benevolence left in people, while Gi-hun thinks there’s still hope. Ultimately, his main goal is to destroy Gi-hun and his convictions.
Wi Ha-jun as Jun-ho
After being shot by his brother, aka the Frontman, at the end of season 1 of Squid Game, Jun-ho is alive. Not only that, he returns to his job and is seen in the Meet the Cast helping Gi-hun buying weapons to prepare for the game. And sure, his brother might’ve shot him. But it’s not over for Jun-ho. He looked up to his brother and their journey isn’t done.
Yang Dong-geun as Yung-sik
Yong-sik is described as an immature and shameless gambler that is buried in debt. He is also the son of another contestant, Jang Geum-ja. She’s there to pay off his debt. And even though he’s shocked that she’s there, she acts as a safety net for him amongst the terror of the game.
Kang Ha-neul as Dae-ho
Dae-ho is an ex-marine and the kind of guy who exudes over-the-top masculinity. He’s described as macho but also a friendly trickster who connects with people easily.
Jo Yu-ri as Jun-hee
Jun-hee is described as an independent and persistent individual. And when she joins the game she encounters Myung-gi, her ex-boyfriend and the person who misled her to make bad investments with the crypto scam.
Lee Jin-uk as Gyeong-seok
Gyeong-seok is a dad trying to save his daughter, who has blood cancer. And he joins the game to pay for her life-saving treatment.
Yim Si-wan as Myung-gi
Myung-gi is the catalyst for a lot of pain for those in the game. He’s a former YouTuber known as Amazing Myung-gi. And he was involved in a crypto scam, and lost not only his money but that of his subscribers who trusted him. So he ran and became a fugitive until he joined the game. What he didn’t expect was to meet some of his subscribers within the game.
Kang Ae-Sim as Jang Geum-ja
Geum-ja is the mother of Yong-sik. She’s committed to her providing for her family and joins the game to pay off her sons debt. Like Yong-sik, she’s just as shocked to find him in the game. And she puts him before herself as the danger and death break out around them.
Lee Seo-hwan as Jung-bae
Jung-bae is an old friend of Gi-hun who used to gamble with him. You can actually see him in season 1 at the races and bank with Gi-hun. And within the game itself, there’s a sense of camaraderie between them. There’s also this sense that there roles are reverse. Jung-bae has this carefree vibe about him while Gi-hun is controlled and focused on his endgame.
Park Sung-hoon as Hyun-ju
Hyun-ju is a former special forces soldier and a transgender woman. And she joins the game as a means of paying for the gender-affirming surgery she needs. Within the game she does face prejudice but shows her decisiveness and natural leadership easily.
Park Gyu-young as No-eul
No-eul is a former soldier and North Korean defector. She’s someone who has no other purpose in life than finding her child, who she had to leave in the North.
Chae Kook-hee as Seon-nyeo
Seon-nyeo was once a powerful Korean shaman. Her main role in the show is to curse people and deliver prophecies. The Meet the Cast video in particular has her warning Gi-hun that he has souls hovering around him and lingering in this world.
Lee David as Min-su
Min-su is part of the Thanos Team, a team of contestants that are really young. He’s super timid and doesn’t have much confidence. That means he tends to go along with whatever others say.
Choi Seung-hyun as Thanos
Thanos is a retired rapper and the ring-leader of the Thanos Team. After watching Myung-gi’s YouTube, Thanos went all-in and invested all the money he’d saved in crypto. He of course lost it all and ended up in the game.
Roh Jae-won as Nam-gyu
Nam-gyu used to work at a nightclub and is part of the Thanos Team. He’s basically Thanos lackey, who he met while working at a club. And he’s described as acting strong around people weaker he perceives as weaker than him. But also basically collapses upon himself when around stronger people.
Won Ji-an as Se-mi
Se-mi is the final member of the Thanos Team. She’s described as bold and determined. And she chooses to build a stronger bond with Min-su, showing that she’s the opposite of Nam-gyu. She’s strong around strong people and gentle with those who are more vulnerable.
Watch the Meet the Cast video below:
Squid Game season 2 premieres December 26, 2024 on Netflix.
