Introduction: The Global Phenomenon from South Korea
Squid Game (오징어 게임, Ojing-eo Geim) is the South Korean survival drama that became the most-watched Netflix series of all time following its debut in 2021. Created, written, and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the show captivated the world with its potent critique of capitalism, intense psychological drama, and shocking brutality, all centred around seemingly innocent children’s games.
This definitive guide provides full details on the main Squid Game cast, the visionary director and creative team, the plot summary, and essential Season 2 news.
👥 The Main Cast: Actors, Characters, and Player Numbers
This section is vital for searches combining the lead actors’ names, their character names, and their iconic player numbers.
The Core Players
| Actor Name | Character Name | Player Number | Key Role/Affiliation |
| Lee Jung-jae | Seong Gi-hun | 456 | The Protagonist, a kind but indebted gambling addict and the final winner. |
| Park Hae-soo | Cho Sang-woo | 218 | Gi-hun’s childhood friend, a calculating, elite university graduate. |
| Jung Ho-yeon | Kang Sae-byeok | 067 | The North Korean defector; reserved and focused on rescuing her family. |
| O Yeong-su | Oh Il-nam | 001 | The elderly man with a brain tumour (later revealed as the mastermind, the VIP). |
| Anupam Tripathi | Ali Abdul | 199 | The gentle, loyal Pakistani migrant worker. |
| Heo Sung-tae | Jang Deok-su | 101 | The ruthless gangster and antagonist. |
The Game Organisers
| Actor Name | Character Name | Role in the Games |
| Lee Byung-hun | The Front Man | The mysterious overseer and operational head of the games. |
| Wi Ha-joon | Hwang Jun-ho | The police officer who infiltrates the game to find his brother. |
🎬 The Creative Team: Director, Writers, and Vision
The show’s massive success is credited almost entirely to the vision of its sole creator.
Creator, Writer, and Director
- Creator, Writer, and Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
- Hwang wrote the script over a decade ago, initially struggling to find funding due to the script’s brutal themes and unique structure.
- Vision: He stated the games were meant to be a direct satire of modern capitalism and social inequality, where the rich exploit the desperation of the poor.
- Production Company: Siren Pictures (for Netflix)
Production Details
- Original Title: Ojing-eo Geim (오징어 게임)
- Genre: Survival Drama, Psychological Thriller, Social Satire.
- Filming Location: Daejeon and Seoul, South Korea.
- The Games: All six children’s games were designed to be simple enough for the audience to instantly understand, heightening the emotional impact of the high stakes.
🌐 Squid Game Wiki: Production Milestones & Season 2
This section targets searches about the show’s history, records, and future.
| Detail | Information | Key Search Term |
| Series Run | September 17, 2021 – Present | Squid Game Release Date |
| Language | Korean | Squid Game Original Language |
| Viewership Record | Most-watched Netflix series globally (1.65 billion hours viewed in the first 28 days). | Squid Game Viewership |
| Season 2 Status | Confirmed and in Production. Lee Jung-jae (Gi-hun) and Lee Byung-hun (The Front Man) will return. | Squid Game Season 2 Cast |
| Major Award | Lee Jung-jae won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2022). | Squid Game Emmy |