Top 7 Cameos in Squid Game Season 3 That Will Blow Your Mind

In Squid Game, the stakes are high and death is a constant possibility for any character at any given moment, making the narrative quite unpredictable. Interestingly, certain characters who’ve seemingly met their end in earlier seasons have made reappearances in Season 3, hinting at some unexpected plot twists through what seems like cameos.

These seven short, impactful appearances on screen, whether they represent the characters’ demise or simply an extended absence, have given fans a delightful reunion with their beloved figures. It’s worth noting that one of these appearances stands out distinctly, offering a sneak peek into the future of the Squid Game universe rather than its past history.

Spoilers Ahead for Squid Game Season 3 and the finale.

7. Oh Il-Nam

The Creator Of The Games Appeared One Last Time

Appearance: “⭘△☐” (Season 3, Episode 5)
Played by: O Yeong-su

In Season 3, the sinister creator of the games, Il-nam, who had previously taken part in the games himself during Season 1, made two notable appearances. One of these appearances was particularly unusual. Initially, he appeared in a flashback belonging to In-ho, wearing his VIP mask and handing him a knife, urging him to kill the other finalists on the final night. This brief scene offered an intriguing insight into their relationship and the start of In-ho’s transformation into a villain.

Later in the same episode, Kang No-eul sneaked into Front Man’s office where she spotted an odd wax figure resembling Oh Il-nam dressed in his player uniform. Strangely, neither she nor any other character mentioned it, fueling curiosity among viewers. It seems plausible that In-ho (or the VIPs) crafted this tribute to Oh Il-nam, honoring him as the inventor of the games.

6. Park Jung-Bae

A Reminder Of What Happens To Players Who Tried To Revolt

Appearance: “Keys and Knives” (Season 3, Episode 1)
Played by: Lee Seo-hwan

In the finale of Squid Game’s second season, it was revealed that Park Jung-bae, who had attempted to lead a rebellion against the Front Man, met a brutal end when he was coldly murdered by this antagonist. The grim fate of Park Jung-bae is uncovered at the start of Season 3.

In the chilling role I played as a devoted cinema enthusiast, I displayed Park Jung-bae’s lifeless body, along with those of the other fallen players who met their end during the uprising, right in the heart of the staircase. It served as a grim warning to anyone disregarding the rules, a chilling reminder of the harsh consequences that lay ahead. Undeniably, this macabre scene set the stage for the bleak and ominous tone that Season 3 would unfold.

5. Se-Mi

She Was Still Alive Within Min-Su’s Mind

Appearance: “The Starry Night” (Season 3, Episode 2)
Played by: Won Ji-an

The unexpected demise of Se-mi during Season 2’s finale was one of the most startling and aggravating instances. Not only was she brutally killed by a reckless Nam-gyu, but it turned out that her so-called friend, Park Min-su, had the opportunity to prevent it, yet chose not to act due to sheer cowardice.

In the third season, Min-su secretly takes Nam-gyu’s medications and uses them, which triggers a series of odd visions that disorient him. Towards the finale of Hide and Seek, in a blind fury, he mistakenly believes Seon-nyeo to be Nam-gyu and slays the shaman woman. Remarkably, her dead body transforms into Se-mi’s. Later, during Sky Squid Game, Min-su experiences another hallucination where she appears again. These two appearances suggest that he continued to grapple with the loss of his friend, feeling deeply remorseful for not rescuing her when given the chance.

4. Choi Su-Bong (Thanos)

The Brief But Long-Awaited Return Of Season 2’s Best Villain

Appearance: “⭘△☐” (Season 3, Episode 5)
Played by: T.O.P

In the second season, the character known as Thanos or Choi Su-bong stood out as truly unforgettable. His flamboyant character, striking looks, and ruthless deeds swiftly turned him into one of the top-tier villains that resonated deeply with viewers across the series. The sadness of his demise in the season finale was intensified because of this deep connection, making it a particularly poignant moment for many fans.

In Season 3, luckily for him, Thanos resurfaced in one of Min-su’s drug-induced fantasies. During the climactic Sky Squid Game, Min-su found himself dangling precariously from a platform’s edge, with Thanos taunting and attempting to push him off. However, just as he was about to lose his grip, Thanos transformed into Nam-gyu (who had perished in the previous contest). This unexpected appearance of Thanos was quite gratifying, not only due to his enigmatic allure, but also because it underscored the significant influence of his nefarious deeds on Park Min-su.

3. Kang Cheol

Sae-Byeok Was Able To Achieve Her Goal, Even In Death

Appearance: “Humans Are…” (Season 3, Episode 6)
Played by: Park Si-wan

Indeed, not every character who made a guest appearance in Season 3 of Squid Game was deceased, as one of the most striking cameos throughout the season was by someone who was still alive but hadn’t been seen for a considerable period. The series finale showcased a poignant and meaningful scene where Kang Cheol, Kang Sae-byeok’s younger brother, reconnected with their mother at the airport following his successful escape from North Korea.

In Season 1, Sae-byeok joined the games with the goal of earning enough money to look after Cheol and locate their mother. Unfortunately, she was killed during the climactic night, leaving this mission unfulfilled. However, in a touching turn of events hinted at in a cameo appearance, it seems that Cheol managed to meet his mother again – a dream that Sae-byeok had strived so hard to make a reality, with the assistance of Gi-hun and Park Man-cheol.

2. The American Recruiter

Is This The Audience’s First Look At Squid Game’s American Spin-Off?

Appearance: “Humans Are…” (Season 3, Episode 6)
Played by: Cate Blanchett

This cameo is particularly distinctive throughout the entire season as it doesn’t bring back characters who have passed away from earlier seasons, but instead offers a brief peek into the show’s future. Towards the series end, In-ho meets an American recruiter playing ddakji with a man in a Los Angeles alleyway, sharing a significant look with her that suggests they already know each other.

Many fans found this cameo incredibly captivating, not just due to the suggestion of a potential American spin-off for Squid Game, but also because it stars the renowned Hollywood actress, Cate Blanchett. This was particularly surprising as the show had primarily relied on South Korean actors before this.

1. Kang Sae-Byeok

Gi-Hun’s Beloved Friend Saved His Soul At The Very End

Appearance: “⭘△☐” (Season 3, Episode 5)
Played by: HoYeon Jung

It’s undeniable that Kang Sae-byoek was a beloved and unforgettable character in Season 1, making her untimely demise at the hands of Cho Sang-woo even more tragic. Despite this, through her speech and actions, she left a profound influence on Seong Gi-hun, causing him to remember her frequently following her passing.

On the last evening of the 2024 games, The Front Man hands Gi-hun a knife and instructs him to kill all the other competitors immediately to win. However, Gi-hun was reluctant, remembering Sae-byoek’s words from the 2020 games when she urged him not to murder Sang-woo: that he is inherently a good person, not a killer. This thought, along with the supportive words of his friend, prevented Gi-hun from succumbing to In-ho’s manipulation at that critical moment. It was likely this moment of self-reflection and friendship that later led Gi-hun to bravely sacrifice himself to save Jun-hee’s child during the final game.

2025-07-04 03:16