If there’s one flaw popular Korean survival drama Squid Game has, it’s probably its treatment of women. While in some ways,the inherent sexism matches the gritty realism of the show, some fans feel that the female characters drew the short end of the stick. In Squid Game, four hundred and fifty-six contestants compete in a death game, all with their eyes on the prize – a financial reward of over thirty-six million dollars.
Every contestant desperately needs money, with most of them struggling with heavy debts. But their final hope comes at a high price too, as the Squid Game has players participate in children’s games, only to kill the losers. Many games contain a physical strength component, which leads to female characters being seen as liabilities – but they are not, and on some occasions, they shine brighter than the male characters.
7 Gi-Hun’s Wife Provides Background For His Character But Doesn’t Get Much Development
Not much is known about protagonist Seong Gi-hun's ex-wife. She isn’t even given a name. What viewers do know is that the two divorce seemingly over Gi-hun’s irresponsible behavior and inability to provide for his family. Once she divorces Gi-hun, she remarries. Gi-hun puts her in an awkward position with her new husband when he visits her to ask for money. She begrudges him for not being there for her the day she gave birth to their daughter Ga-yeong.
Gi-hun’s reasons for failing to be by his wife’s side are sound, as he was embroiled in a factory strike at the time. He’s still suffering from nightmares after watching his coworker die, but the fact remains that he prioritized something else over his family, something that foreshadows his future behavior.
6 Sang-Woo’s Mother Stands Out Through Her Generosity
The owner of a seafood shop, Cho Sang-woo’s mother takes great pride in her son’s accomplishments. Kind and generous, she often offers the down on his luck Gi-hun food to eat. She is Sang-woo’s main motivation for entering the game. He had used his mother's business as collateral for his failed investments, thereby endangering her livelihood. The only way to fix his mistake was through the Squid Game.
It’s unclear if she ever finds out about her son’s fate, though the sole exchange between her and Gi-hun regarding this topic suggests he never reveals the truth. In the finale, she agrees to take in Kang Sae-byeok’s brother, Cheol, despite not having too many funds of her own. In the end, Gi-hun leaves her with a bag full of money, but no real information.
5 Gi-Hun’s Impoverished Mother Carries A Heavy Burden
One of the first characters to appear in the series, Gi-hun’s mother carries a heavy burden. Her son is stuck in a dead-end job as a chauffeur and has a terrible gambling habit which even leads to him canceling their insurance. This proves to be deadly, as Gi-hun’s mother suffers from a serious form of diabetes and can’t get treatment.
Gi-hun’s participation in the games was meant to help her with that, but she dies in his absence, all alone. In a way, the two old women are complete opposites. Sang-woo’s mother has a welcoming demeanor, even after the disappearance of her son, but Gi-hun’s mother embodies the bitterness of reality, weighed down as she is by debts and illness. Even so, she remains a guardian over her son up to the last possible moment.
4 Ga-Yeong Tries To Protect Her Father From Heartbreak
Gi-hun’s daughter, Ga-yeong, doesn’t have too many scenes in Squid Game, but her brief appearances are emotional and gripping. The show starts on her birthday, and Gi-hun receives money from his mother to take Ga-yeong out for her favorite meal. This never happens, as Gi-hun loses all his money at the horse races, pickpocketed by Sae-byeok. Instead, Gi-hun takes her to eat a far cheaper meal and offers her a shoddy present in the form of a lighter gun he managed to extract from a claw machine.
She is visibly disappointed, but never once complains, trying her best to reassure her father. Perhaps that is also the reason she decides to keep the information of her imminent departure to the United States from him: to protect him. The finale reveals the two have reconnected, but Gi-hun fails her yet again when – instead of going to the U.S. as originally planned – he turns back, intending to stop the games.
3 Mi-Nyeo’s Revenge On Deok-Su Is One Of The Most Satisfying Moments In The Series
Han Mi-nyeo isn’t the most likable person, and her association with the villainous Jang Deok-su leads to many deaths. She is loud, often irritating, and will often lash out indiscriminately even at people who are supposed to be her allies. While she may draw many conflicting opinions, no one can deny that she’s resourceful. She manages to sneak in a lighter into the game through a shocking method, just to feed her smoking habit. The lighter unexpectedly comes in handy during the Dalgona game, and it ends up saving Deok-su’s life too.
It is exactly Mi-nyeo’s relationship with Deok-su that results in one of the most satisfying moments of the series. The two become lovers, but Deok-su turns her away during the Tug of War game, insulting her and betraying her. Mi-nyeo doesn’t let that stand. During the Glass Bridge game, at Deok-su’s most vulnerable moment, she confronts him. Deok-su tries to placate her, but there’s nothing he can do. Mi-nyeo pushes them both off the bridge. While some may consider the act pathetic, its inherent defiance elevates the character, making her an unexpectedly interesting dark horse.
2 Ji-Yeong’s Sacrifice Brings Tears Into The Eyes Of Viewers
Not every good female character gets an arc as elaborate as Min-nyeo. Yet, in some cases, that doesn’t matter. Ji-Yeong appears before the Tug of War game and is recruited by Sae-Byeok into Gi-hun’s team. The two girls stick together during the following game, Marbles. This proves to be a poor decision, as the way the game is structured makes sure only one of them will survive. Instead of battling things out like the other characters, Ji-yeong and Sae-byeok agree on deciding the winner with one single game.
They spend the rest of the allotted time talking, and their conversation reveals their background and depth as characters. While Sae-byeok is a North Korean defector seeking to reunite her family, Ji-yeong confesses to having killed her father – a man who had physically abused her and murdered her mother. When the moment comes for the girls to play their game, Ji-yeong practically forfeits in Sae-byeok’s favor, as unlike her, Sae-byeok had family and dreams waiting for her. Her heartbreaking death brings tears not only to Sae-byeok’s eyes, but also to those of the viewers.
1 Sae-Byeok Should Have Probably Been The Winner
Easily one of the best characters in Squid Game, Sae-byeok first appears in the series as the pickpocket who robs Gi-hun of his racehorse gambling earnings. Her unapproachable cold façade makes her hard to read,b ut as the series continues, it is revealed that she actually has a heart of gold and wants to bring her family back together. Unfortunately, Sae-byeok has an unfair fate. Like Gi-hun and Sang-woo, she crosses the glass bridge, only to be impaled by a glass shard when the bridge explodes.
Horrifically injured, she is helpless when Sang-woo attacks her and slits her throat. This particular incident is perhaps the clearest proof of Squid Game’s shoddy treatment of its female characters. The scrappy Sae-byeok may have actually had a chance in the final round of the Squid Game, but she was removed to facilitate a confrontation between the two friends-turned-enemies. It makes sense from a storytelling perspective, but still, fans can’t help but feel that maybe the wrong person won.