Squid Game season 2 cast: Full list of actors and characters

In addition, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun return as siblings Jun-ho and In-ho – better known as Player 001 or The Front Man – while Lee Seo-hwan enjoys an expanded role in season 2 as Gi-hun's friend, Jung-bae.

Besides those names, the rest of the cast is comprised of new faces, with Choi Seung-hyun, aka TOP, attracting much attention for his scene-stealing turn as Thanos, while Park Gyu-young lends humanity to the faceless Squid Game guards as No-eul.

The latter character left some viewers confused by her complicity in the mass murder of the Squid Game itself, but her refusal to go along with the black market organ harvesting operation that has sprung up in its lower levels.

Speaking to RadioTimes.com, Gyu-young explained: "For No-eul, when she is taking out those who are eliminated from the game... it's not really murder in her eyes.

"As she explains herself in the show, it is allowing these people who have absolutely no hope left in life – just like herself – it is letting them rest in peace.

She added: "While no act of killing another human being can be justified, No-eul is someone who thinks about what it means to protect at least a minimum amount of human dignity.

"From that perspective, she will not allow these other people to pursue financial gain by damaging the bodies of the people who have passed – and that’s something that she will never accept."

If you'd like to get better acquainted with the characters and actors in the South Korean mega-hit series, read on for everything you need to know about the Squid Game season 2 cast.

Squid Game season 2 cast: Full list of actors and characters

The full cast list for Squid Game season 2 is below. Scroll down for more information about the actors and who they play.

• Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun (Player 456)
• Wi Ha-joon as Hwang Jun-ho
• Lee Byung-hun as Hwang In-ho (The Front Man/Player 001)
• Gong Yoo as The Salesman
• Im Si-wan as Lee Myung-gi (Player 333)
• Kang Ha-neul as Dae-ho (Player 388)
• Park Sung-hoon as Hyun-ju (Player 120)
• Lee Jin-wook as Gyeong-seok (Player 246)
• Yang Dong-geun as Park Yong-sik (Player 007)
• Jo Yu-ri as Kim Jun-hee (Player 222)
• Kang Ae-shim as Jang Geum-ja (Player 149)
• Lee Seo-hwan as Jung-bae (Player 390)
• Park Gyu-young as No-eul
• Chae Kook-hee as Seon-nyeo (Player 044)
• Lee David as Min-su (Player 125)
• Choi Seung-hyun as "Thanos" (Player 230)
• Roh Jae-won as Nam-gyu (Player 124)
• Won Ji-an as Se-mi (Player 380)

Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun

Who is Seong Gi-hun? Gi-hun is the winner of the previous Squid Game, who is now intent on avenging those he lost in the deadly tournament and shutting it down for good. He has spared no expense attempting to track down the sinister Salesman, who recruits potential players, believing this to be his ticket back to the untraceable compound where the game takes place.

What else has Lee Jung-jae been in? Jung-jae became an international star following the surprise success of Squid Game, leading to a role in Star Wars prequel series The Acolyte.

Lee Byung-hun as Hwang In-ho (The Front Man)

Who is Hwang In-ho/The Front Man? The Front Man is the boss of the Squid Game, who oversees its smooth running to please its audience of super-rich investors. He is also Jun-ho's older brother, but appears to have turned his back on family for good after having him shot atop a cliff at the end of season 1.

What else has Lee Byung-hun been in? In addition to numerous South Korean credits, Byung-hun has also appeared in several Hollywood projects including the GI Joe films, Red 2, Terminator Genisys and 2016's The Magnificent Seven remake.

Choi Seung-hyun plays Thanos (Player 230)

Who is Thanos? Thanos is a rapper, who finds himself in financial hardship after losing money on a cryptocurrency scam. He is a dangerous and unpredictable personality, made even more so by his dependency on recreational drugs smuggled into the game via a cross necklace. Nevertheless, a small clique forms around him, comprised of those familiar with his music and impressed by his confidence.

What else has Choi Seung-hyun been in? Choi Seung-hyun is best known for his music career in South Korea, where he performed under the stage name TOP and in the K-pop band BigBang.

"There's a lot of connection with him and parts of my past and my past mistakes," said Seung-hyun of Thanos (via NME). "I had to really sit down and think about if I was going to go through with it.

"I felt the only way to repay the trust that director Hwang [Dong-hyuk] had placed in me was for me to really do a good job in portraying Thanos."

Park Sung-hoon as Cho Hyun-ju (Player 120)

Who is Cho Hyun-ju? Hyun-ju is a transgender woman who joins the Squid Game in the hopes of securing money for her gender-affirming surgery. The casting of Park Sung-hoon, a cisgender man, in this role was greeted with some controversy, although the actor has promised a character that "shows incredible strength" and "breaks down stereotypes".

What else has Park Sung-hoon? Fans of Netflix K-drama may recognise Sung-hoon from The Glory.

Im Si-wan as Lee Myung-gi (Player 333)

Who is Lee Myung-gi? Myung-gi was formerly a rich and successful YouTube star, but lost his fortune in a cryptocurrency scam, which also affected many members of his fanbase. As a result, he suffered a catastrophic fall from grace and is now scrambling to regain control over his life. He is shocked to discover that his ex-girlfriend, Jun-hee, is also competing in the games.

On their relationship, actor Yim Si-wan told RadioTimes.com: "Rather than focusing too much on Myung-gi’s bad side, I think we need to think about how those two came to become a couple in the first place.

"The fact that they’ve dated means that they share some similarities, right? So I think, if they can make it out of the game safely, I think they could live happily ever after."

What else has Yim Si-wan been in? In addition to acting in various Korean films and TV shows such as Unlocked, Si-wan is also a member of K-pop band ZE:A.

Jo Yu-ri as Kim Jun-hee (Player 222)

Who is Kim Jun-hee? Jun-hee is a woman looking to rebuild her finances after losing everything in a crypto scam pushed on her by her (now ex) boyfriend Myung-gi.

What else has Jo Yu-ri been in? Yu-ri is best known for her music career, rising to fame in K-pop group Iz*One before striking out with a solo career.

Yang Dong-geun as Park Yong-sik (Player 007)

Who is Park Yong-sik? Yong-sik is a gambling addict, who enters the game in a desperate bid to clear his debts. Little does he know that his mother, Jang Geum-ja, also enters in the hope of helping him. Despite his flaws, Yong-sik genuinely loves his mother and is comforted by her presence, leading them to work as a team through the deadly trials.

What else has Yang Dong-geun been in? Dong-geun appeared in Korean Disney Plus series Moving, which has been renewed for a second season.

Kang Ae-shim as Jang Geum-ja (Player 149)

Who is Jang Geum-ja? Geum-ja is the mother of Yong-sik, who enters the Squid Game to try to help her son clear his substantial gambling debts. Neither of them knows that the other has signed up until they see each other in the terrifying Squid Game compound.

What else has Kang Ae-sim been in? Ae-sim has numerous South Korean credits including, most recently, A Virtuous Business, Frankly Speaking and Queen of Divorce.

Kang Ha-neul as Dae-ho (Player 388)

Who is Dae-ho? On the outside, Dae-ho appears to be a typical 'tough guy', having served in the marines and adopted a hyper-macho persona. However, there is another side to him under the surface – although whether he'll survive long enough to show it remains to be seen.

What else has Kang Ha-neul been in? Ha-neulm is known for South Korean drama Insider and romcom Love Reset.

Wi Ha-joon as Hwang Jun-ho

Who is Hwang Jun-ho? Jun-ho is a police officer who infiltrates the Squid Game in search of his brother, In-ho, who has been missing for many years. Towards the end of season 1, he was shocked to discover that his sibling had risen to the highest rank behind the scenes of the twisted competition, taking on the role of The Front Man. After a tense clifftop confrontation with In-ho and his goons, Jun-ho was shot and fell into the sea, which very nearly cost him his life.

Actor Wi Ha-jun recently spoke to RadioTimes.com about his season 2 role, which left some fans disappointed as it was smaller than expected, leaving a few major plot threads unresolved.

What else has Wi Ha-jun been in? In addition to Squid Game, Ha-jun has also starred in Netflix series Gyeongseong Creature.

Won Ji-an plays Se-mi

Who is Se-mi? Se-mi is a young woman who reluctantly becomes part of Thanos's clique. She sees the purpose of having allies in the short-term, but does not truly respect the rapper or his cronies. She does, however, take sympathy on shy player Min-su, who Thanos has been bullying since their entry into the game.

What else has Won Ji-an been in? Ji-an has also appeared in South Korean dramas If You Wish Upon Me and Heartbeat.

Lee David plays Min-su

Who is Min-su? Min-su is a shy young player, who finds himself easily manipulated by the likes of Thanos and Nam-gyu. He will need to start sticking up for himself if he hopes to survive the Squid Game.

What else has Lee David been in? His past credits include South Korean television shows Law School, Itaewon Class and Bad Papa.

Roh Jae-won plays Nam-gyu

Who is Nam-gyu? Nam-gyu is the most enthusiastic follower that Thanos has at his disposal. He too is a bully and seems to enjoy spreading fear and dissent among the players.

What else has Roh Jae-won been in? His recent South Korean credits are Yitorok Chinmilhan Baeshinja, A Killer Paradox and Daily Dose of Sunshine.

Lee Jin-wook as Gyeong-seok (Player 246)

Who is Park Gyeong-seok? Gyeong-seok is a man who enters the Squid Game to win money for his young daughter, who is suffering from blood cancer and needs vital medical care.

What else has Lee Jin-uk been in? Another actor with more than one Netflix hit to his name, Jin-uk is also known for apocalyptic thriller Sweet Home.

Park Gyu-young as No-eul

Who is No-eul? She is a North Korean defector, who had to leave her infant child across the border – a decision that haunts her terribly. She is desperate to be reunited with her baby and will go to great lengths to make that happen, including acting as a guard in the Squid Game tournament.

Although she does not hesitate to execute people who are eliminated from the game, No-eul actively attempts to put a stop to a secondary organ harvesting business that has been established in the lower levels of the Squid Game facility.

Actor Park Gyu-young told RadioTimes.com: "No-eul is someone who thinks about what it means to protect at least a minimum amount of human dignity.

"From that perspective, she will not allow these other people to pursue financial gain by damaging the bodies of the people who have passed – and that’s something that she will never accept."

What else has Park Gyu-young been in? Gyu-young has also appeared in Netflix's Sweet Home as well as The Devil Judge, which also aired on the streaming platform.

Gong Yoo as The Salesman

Who is The Salesman? The Salesman is a mysterious Squid Game employee, who recruits players on the Seoul subway system by playing a traditional South Korean game with them called ddakji.

What else has Gong Yoo been in? Gong Yoo is probably best known to western viewers for the zombie film Train to Busan, which became a global hit upon release in 2016.

Lee Seo-hwan as Jung-bae (Player 390)

Who is Jung-bae? Returning from a brief appearance in season 1, Jung-bae is one of Gi-hun's friends from outside of the game, who he used to go gambling with regularly. Now, they are both in it together and aim to watch each other's backs.

Who is Lee Seo-hwan? Seo-hwan has previously appeared in acclaimed Apple TV+ drama Pachinko and Netflix's Extraordinary Attorney Woo.

Squid Game season 2 is available to stream on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

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