Best Squid Game Contestants

Highlights

In Squid Game, survival comes down to strategy, luck, and perseverance, with only one victor in the end.
Characters like Mi-nyeo, Deok-su, Sae-byeok, Gi-hun, and Sang-woo prove to be formidable challengers.
The show’s ruthless competition highlights the lengths people will go to when faced with life-or-death situations.

As I delve deeper into the intriguing world of the Squid Game, I find myself captivated by these extraordinary characters who embody a range of human traits – from resilience to ruthlessness, from luck to skill.

“Squid Game” is a thrilling Netflix series that swept across the globe, depicting the extreme measures individuals take when faced with financial stakes. While the game’s regulations are straightforward, the contests themselves are far from benign and downright chilling.

Despite the fact that just one contestant can win the cash prize, multiple individuals almost achieve this feat. These characters demonstrate remarkable resilience at various stages in the narrative, and while only one ultimately wins, the competition was so close that it seemed as though any of them could have emerged victorious.

5 Han Mi-nyeo

Prioritizes Self-Preservation Via Relationships

Alias: Player #212
Played By: Kim Joo-ryoung

This might be a surprising entry, but it’s one that makes sense when fans really think about it. Whilst the woman who says she is good at everything (except for the things she isn’t) is lacking in many basic skills, she is good at constantly putting herself in the right position to survive.

Mi-nyeo realizes her need for protection, so she joins forces with the strongest contender available to increase her chances of survival. Initially, she establishes a romantic and intimate bond with Deok-su, aligning herself with the most powerful figure in the most formidable gang. Later on, she momentarily teams up with Sae-byeok. However, when Deok-su abandons her, Mi-nyeo swiftly attaches herself to Sang-woo, ingratiating herself towards a nearly as ruthless but significantly more intelligent male competitor.

Mi-nyeo employs bold, albeit skillful, persuasive and deceitful methods which ultimately lead to her substantial victories. In the end, even with Deok-su’s deception, she had the final triumph.

4 Jang Deok-su

The Vicious Gangster Of The Game

Alias: Player #101
Played By: Heo Sung-tae

In the world of the Squid Game, Deok-su, a ruthless gangster and gambler with a violent streak unlike many others, adapts most swiftly to its brutal environment. He’s a seasoned criminal who has no qualms about betraying others, whether it’s metaphorically or physically, even before the games begin.

His desire to deceive, hurt, and take lives is usually considered a negative quality in most situations. However, within the Squid Game, these traits prove beneficial, making him one of the primary characters and formidable opponents. Moreover, he derives pleasure from his sadistic actions, which only enhances his ability to overpower others like an unstoppable natural disaster. Interestingly, he is among the early contestants who effectively apply teamwork, assembling a gang of tough individuals that further bolsters his power.

In a nutshell, Deok-su’s downfall is his impulsive and narrow-minded nature. If only he had more wisdom, he could have been an unstoppable force in the ruthless world of Squid Game. Regrettably, that wasn’t the case, and his ‘girlfriend’, Han Mi-Nyeo, outsmarted him in a humiliating turn of events, leading us both to our demise.

3 Kang Sae-byeok

The Skilled Survivor From The North

Alias: Player #067
Played By: HoYeon Jung

Everyday life has honed Sae-byeok into a resilient survivor, with her mental fortitude and physical prowess being as unyielding as concealed blades. Her turbulent past makes her one of the most formidable competitors in a survival contest that involves both debt and danger.

Born in North Hamgyong Province, North Korea, Sae-byeok endured hardships such as famine, disease, and the loss of loved ones during her childhood. Given the harrowing experiences she’s faced, it’s no wonder she seems prepared for the grim reality of the Squid Games. She is resilient, courageous, and resourceful without becoming overly ruthless. In the first game, she bravely takes on Deok-su, executing her move at just the right moment to gain an advantage without putting herself in danger. Before the second game commences, upon her return to the Squid Game, she cleverly slips a knife past the guards using subtle deceptions and sleight of hand techniques.

In all the competitions, Sae-byeok consistently stands out as one of the most perceptive and successful participants. Unfortunately, a bit of misfortune, represented by a shattered glass, could have given her a fighting opportunity to advance to the final round.

2 Seong Gi-hun

The Lucky Main Character

Alias: Player #456
Played By: Lee Jung-jae

The luckiest unlucky contestant around, Seong Gi-Hun (aka Player #456) might not be the smartest or most skillful competitor, but he is one of the best, whether it be through his charisma or intuition. He may seem empty-headed, but he is a quick learner and often finds clever seat-of-his-pants strategies to ensure a last minute win that saves his life right before it would be lost.

It needs to be said that a lot of luck is involved in some of Gi-Hun’s best moments. In the Red Light, Green Light game, he was lucky to have tripped and fallen next to Ali, a person strong and kind enough to hold him still before he was shot. However, in the cookie-cutter game, he chose the umbrella, which could be considered bad luck despite him figuring out how to beat the game in the end. And on the stepping stones, he was very lucky to have the front spot taken off of him. Still, Gi-Hun’s affinity for teamwork and willingness to never count himself out of the running are part of what made him the official winner of the Squid Game.

1 Cho Sang-woo

The Ruthless Prodigy

Alias: Player #218
Played By: Park Hae-soo

Among the town’s brightest stars, Cho Sangwoo, affectionately known as Gi-Hun’s family’s Golden Boy, is not particularly noted for his kindness or moral compass. Instead, he stands out as one of the shrewdest and cunning contestants. Moreover, his exceptional skills set him apart from others.

Sang-woo’s keen awareness, strategic foresight, knack for asking critical questions, and relentless business acumen enabled him to navigate most of the games effectively, coming very close to claiming victory. However, Gi-Hun’s resilience and luck denied Sang-woo the top spot, leaving him in second place. Yet, throughout their shared journey, Sang-woo demonstrated exceptional skill, proving himself to be the standout among them all. His tactical approach saved Gi-Hun during Red Light, Green Light by allowing him to hide among other players. His memory helped him select the least challenging cookie in the cutting game, his swift reactions won them the Tug of War, and his decisive push in the stepping stone game allowed them to finish before the glass shattered.

Despite many criticisms that can be leveled against Sang-woo, his skills as a player in the Squid Game are not among them.

2024-08-22 09:33