Squid Game Season 2’s 10 Best New Characters, Ranked

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Squid Game season 2, episodes 1-7.Squid Game season 2 brings Gi-hun back to the titular tournament, and the Netflix series introduces a wide range of new players in the process. Squid Game's newest characters are just as memorable as those introduced in season 1 — in some cases, even more so, as the new episodes spend more time fleshing them out. With Squid Game season 2 only being seven episodes long, it only covers about half of Gi-hun's second competition. As such, there's more room to dive into individual players and their backstories between games.

As alliances are necessary in the Games, Gi-hun becomes acquainted with many of the important supporting players introduced in season 2 — and he even runs into his old friend and gambling buddy, Park Jung-bae, setting him up for yet another tragic loss. Jung-bae is undoubtedly the best new player in Squid Game season 2, though his character is actually introduced during the first outing, excluding him from being the best new character. There are other contenders though, as Squid Game season 2 introduces many great characters, both in terms of likability and complexity.

10 Myung-gi (Player 333)

Played By Im Si-wan

Myung-gi doesn't start Squid Game season 2 as a very appealing character, as he's a financial YouTuber responsible for persuading people to invest in MG Coin. Several other players are there because of the debt they accumulated listening to his advice. This makes it easy to write Myung-gi off as a bad person, as does his complicated relationship with Jun-hee, who is carrying his child. Myung-gi doesn't endear himself to viewers with his stunt during Mingle, either, which gets Young-mi killed — but does admittedly save several other great characters.

Even with his flaws, Myung-gi is a better player than the likes of Nam-gyu, who is often cruel for no reason, and Min-su, who is too cowardly to make the cut. His personality is even a bit more fleshed out than No-eul's. Myung-gi actually sticks up for Min-su towards the end of Squid Game season 2, and he doesn't back down when intimidated by the O voters. He also seems to have Jun-hee's best interests at heart, despite her suspicion that he wants her winnings. Myung-gi is a complicated character all around, but that just makes him more interesting to follow.

9 Young-mi (Player 095)

Played By Kim Si-eun

Young-mi is probably one of Squid Game season 2's most relatable characters, as she almost instantly changes her mind about participating in the tournament. She seems kind and level-headed, which makes her breakdown over not being able to leave that much more sympathetic. Young-mi seems like a pretty average person, making her a likable enough addition to Squid Game season 2. She's certainly easier to root for than Myung-gi, which makes the Mingle incident that much more devastating.

However, Young-mi's ordinary and likable personality is precisely why she doesn't rank higher among Squid Game season 2's best new characters. We don't get much of an explanation for why she participates in the Games in the first place, and her personality offers little to remember her by. If it weren't for Young-mi's friendship with Hyun-ju, one gets the feeling she'd be easy to overlook. She may be a good person, but whether that makes her a good fictional character is questionable.

8 Park Yong-sik (Player 007)

Played By Yang Dong-geun

Park Yong-sik isn't the most admirable new character in Squid Game season 2, as his poor decision-making has put him and his elderly mother in the tournament. While none of the players are there because they've made great choices, Yong-sik continues to make dubious decisions throughout the season. He votes to continue the Games, despite his mother's life being on the line too, and he lets himself be dragged away from her in the midst of Mingle. Even so, Yong-sik seems more cowardly and conflicted than greedy and selfish.

It's obvious Yong-sik wants to clear up his debts, but he also cares for his mother enough to vote against moving forward the next time around. He breaks down upon realizing he nearly left her to die, driving home that Yong-sik is a character who makes mistakes but is capable of growth. This makes him one of the most interesting additions to Squid Game, even if said mistakes prevent him from ranking higher among the best new characters. He does feel more fleshed out than Young-mi, despite her being a better person.

7 Kim Jun-hee (Player 222)

Played By Jo Yu-ri

Jun-hee enters the Squid Game tournament pregnant in season 2, and she does an impressive job during the Games, continuously showing viewers how tough she is. She proves this by standing up to Myung-gi as well, demonstrating how she's grown since their relationship — a fact that's obvious, even though we don't actually see that point in her life. Jun-hee is one of the characters viewers will be rooting for, and she brings a good mixture of pragmatism and vulnerability to Squid Game season 2.

Jun-hee is the only person who accepts that Young-mi would have died with or without Myung-gi's interference, and that the rest of them would have perished as well. Comments like this highlight that she's enough of a realist to stand on her own in the Games, making it easy to respect her. Jun-hee's anguish when she goes to the bathroom with Geum-ja and Hyun-ju also makes her sympathetic. She has many redeeming qualities, even if she's quieter and less entertaining than other characters. She's also less inclined to play the hero, which places some of them above her.

6 Gyeong-seok (Player 246)

Played By Lee Jin-uk

Gyeong-seok is one of Squid Game season 2's few players to get scenes outside the tournament, and they reveal his tragic reason for being there: his daughter has blood cancer. He joins the competition to pay for her healthcare, which proves what a committed father he is — even if dying isn't the best way to go about things. Gyeong-seok's backstory makes him a sympathetic character, and every scene he appears in showcases that he's a generally good guy.

Sadly, we don't get a ton of insight into Gyeong-seok is as an individual, even if he shows up to help other characters. He joins Gi-hun's rebellion at the end of Squid Game season 2, and he proves a helpful ally during Mingle. Judging by these scenes, he seems more heroic than Jun-hee or Yong-sik. However, there simply isn't enough screen time dedicated to his character, which is a shame given his fate. Unless Squid Game season 3 surprises us with him surviving, Gyeong-seok's arc will continue to feel like something's missing.

5 Thanos (Player 230)

Played By Choi Seung-hyun

Without a doubt, the most entertaining player in Squid Game season 2 is the rapper Thanos, instantly recognizable by his purple hair and uncannily upbeat personality. Thanos is one of the villains of the newest outing, making him far less likable than the other characters on the list. However, he manages to steal whatever scene he's in, and you'll find yourself rooting for him, if only to see what the character does next. From pushing people in Red Light Green Light to brawling in the bathroom, Thanos is always up to something interesting.

This places him above some of the less fleshed-out supporting characters, as he brings much-needed comic relief and flair to Squid Game season 2. Several of his interactions with other players also showcase intriguing layers of his character that would have been fun to explore if he hadn't died in the finale. Of course, Thanos is still one of the biggest antagonists of the new outing, and this prevents him from ranking higher, as there are better players to root for during season 2.

4 Kang Dae-ho (Player 388)

Played By Kang Ha-neul

Kang Dae-ho befriends Gi-hun and Jung-bae early in Squid Game season 2, and he becomes one of their closest allies. With his upbeat personality and similar morals, it's easy to welcome his addition to this central alliance. Dae-ho proves useful during their games together, and Kang Ha-neul portrays the character with an undeniable charm. He's easily one of the best new Squid Game characters throughout the second outing, though his actions in the finale do knock him down a peg.

Dae-ho and Jung-bae become fast friends because they were both in the Marine Corps, but Squid Game season 2's final episode hints that Dae-ho is all talk. Although he has the tattoo — and it's possible he was a Marine in some capacity — his responses during Gi-hun's uprising prove he never saw combat. The fact that Dae-ho can't handle action or gunfire raises questions about his honesty, and his decision to stay behind rather than return with ammo may have saved him, but it makes him a less honorable character.

3 Jang Geum-ja (Player 149)

Played By Kang Ae-shim

Jang Geum-ja enters the Squid Game tournament because of her son's debts, receiving quite a surprise when she learns that he's also a player in the competition. And while Geum-ja immediately changes her mind about the Games after a round of Red Light Green Light, she puts on a brave face as the tournament continues. She has a ton of spunk for an older lady, and her time in the Vietnam War has clearly left plenty of fight in her.

Geum-ja is one of the players viewers will be rooting for the most in Squid Game season 2, as she has a strong sense of compassion and she's tough as nails. She's undoubtedly one of the most pleasant surprises in the second outing, and she'll likely become a fan-favorite character. Unfortunately, a few prejudiced comments prevent her from landing at the very top of the list — though her gradual friendship with Hyun-ju suggests that Geum-ja is willing to learn and grow.

2 Hyun-ju (Player 120)

Played By Park Sung-hoon

Hyun-ju is a transgender woman who joins the Squid Game tournament during season 2, and she proves a complex but likable character over the course of the outing. Hyun-ju has understandable reasons for participating in the tournament — to afford gender-affirming care and move somewhere where she'll be more accepted — but she isn't as ruthless as many of the other players. In fact, she makes a valuable and compassionate ally, hyping up her teammates during the six-legged race and trying to keep her friends alive throughout the competition.

Hyun-ju's friendship with Young-mi is particularly compelling, and it says a lot about her character that she changes her mind about the Games after Young-mi's death. Hyun-ju also participates in Gi-hun's uprising at the end of Squid Game season 2, showing off her military training and proving one of the most badass players from this round. The group wouldn't have gotten as far as they did without her. It's a relief she's still around at the end of the finale. She's the best new player, though there is one character outside the Games with even more potential and appeal.

1 Choi Woo-seok

Played By Jeon Seok-ho

Choi Woo-seok is one of the few new Squid Game characters who doesn't participate in the Games, as he's one of the men Gi-hun tasks with finding the Salesman in the premiere. After his friend is killed by the recruiter in episode 1, Woo-seok comes face-to-face with Gi-hun — and he winds up joining his and Jun-ho's mission to take down the tournament. Throughout the rest of Squid Game season 2, Woo-seok proves a loyal and brave ally. He isn't cowed by the Salesman's intimidation tactics in episode 1, nor does he give up on finding Gi-hun after their plan goes awry.

When Gi-hun's tracker is removed, Woo-seok seems the most passionate about locating and saving him. Despite only being friends for a brief period, Woo-seok is committed to the task at hand. He also brings comic relief at times and seems like a pretty decent person. Squid Game season 2's Captain Park reveal makes us worried about where he'll wind up, but hopefully, Woo-seok will come out on top in Squid Game season 3.