Most Tragic Squid Game Deaths

Summary

• Characters’ deaths in Squid Game are tragic and impactful, highlighting themes of sacrifice and betrayal.
• The deaths of beloved characters like Ali, Ji-Yeong, and Seong Gi-Hun’s mother emphasize the show’s emotional depth.
• The deaths in Squid Game serve as a commentary on societal issues and the harsh realities faced by the characters.

Squid Game is everyone’s obsession, and for a very good reason. The show is incredibly unique, and a not-so subtle commentary on class issues in our current society, and how the rich use the poor for entertainment. Many relate to its harsh themes, so much so that there was a reality game show created in its honor, and there are talks of an American spin-off.

When it first came out, people watched every single episode, choosing a favorite character in the hopes that they would survive. Some deaths were tragic, and are still talked about to this day. And when Season 2 came out, the death count piled up. Keep reading to torture yourself with the most tragic deaths in all of Squid Games.

10

Thanos, Player 230

Season 2, Episode 7

This might be controversial because some fans hated Thanos from Season 2, but his death was still sad. People take Thanos at face value, not remembering his anxiety is so high that he has to take pills just to get through the games. He brought a lot of comic relief to the show as the only player to play the games with joy and excitement.

Thanos’ death signifies two things: a turn to an even more serious Season 3, and the beginning of the brawl that killed many players. Many will be sad to see our purple-haired friend go.

9

Couple, Players 069 And 070

Season 1, Episode 6

A couple in Season 1 was highlighted a few times, but not enough to truly get to know them. Despite that, their ends were tragic, particularly for the death of the wife, Player 070. This couple teamed up together in every other game in order to help keep each other alive.

In the marble game, they once again chose each other. This, sadly, meant that one of them would not make it out alive no matter what. The husband came back on his own, having a complete breakdown over the loss of his wife. It’s a very memorable moment, one that really highlights that even the characters we’re not getting a complete background on are just as human.

8

Jung-Bae, Player 390

Season 2, Episode Seven

Jung-Bae was the last death in Season 2. The Front Man had just pretended to die as Player 1 and had found Jung-Bae and Gi-Hun. He told Gi-Hun that it was his fault that Jung-Bae was about to die before shooting him and ending his life.

Not a lot of characters move from season to season, but Jung-Bae was a friend to Gi-Hun for a long time. He had appeared in the first season as they bet on horses together, and had turned down giving Gi-Hun a loan. He risked everything by putting all of his trust in Gi-Hun, and it cost him his life.

7

Park Gyeong-Seok, Player 246

Season 1, Episode 7

Park Gyeong-Seok is one of the only players that whose backstory is shown in Season 2. You see him with his adorable daughter, flaunting the cutest red and white hat. She’s ill, and her hospital bills are piling up. He joins the games in order to save her.

When Seong Gi-Hun decides to throw a coup, Park Gyeong-Seok joins in. When he’s unable to get more ammo, he ends up getting shot, leaving his young, sick daughter to die alone. Many fans have theorized that he isn’t dead because Kang No-Eul might have saved him, since we saw him shot, but it wasn’t in the head. They hope that he’ll show back up in Season 3, but only time will tell.

6

Se-Mi, Player 380

Season 2, Episode 7

One of the most disappointing points in the show is when it is decided by the main team that they are going to sacrifice some of the people on their side for the ‘greater good’. Se-Mi ends up being killed, taken as a sacrifice.

Her death was incredibly violent and vivid, as she was stabbed in the neck repeatedly by Nam-gyu, Thanos’ sidekick. The worst part is her so-called friend who kept betraying her, Min-su, had a chance to save her, but was cowardly and missed his shot, which truly makes this death that much more frustrating.

5

Seong Gi-Hun’s Mother (Oh Mal-soon)

Season 1, Episode 9

Not every tragic death in the show happened within the game. The entire reason Gi-Hun decided to go back into the game was to pay his mother’s hospital bill to keep her alive. However, when he finally returns as the victor after going through trauma and watching 455 people die, he finds his mother dead.

On top of that, his mother had no idea he was fighting for her. He had been selfish before the games, and it’s very possible she was under the impression he had simply left, or was gambling somewhere. She died alone without ever learning about his sacrifice.

4

Ali, Player 199

Season 1, Episode 6

Ali was a beloved character in Season 1. In the very first episode of Squid Game, he saved the life of the main character, which cemented his place in our hearts. He had the most wholesome vibe, the cutest smile, and a great attitude. He entered the game for his wife and daughter after being treated badly as an immigrant.

Ali’s death was devastating because it was such a deep betrayal. He died playing Sang-woo in the marble game. Ali wins each round of the marble game, but Sang-woo betrays and tricks him by switching out his marbles with pebbles, which ends in Ali’s death. It was a truly heart-wrenching moment seeing Ali realize he had been tricked by someone he felt was a friend.

3

Ji-Yeong, Player 240

Season 1, Episode 6

The show didn’t delve into Ji-Yeong’s character much, but many viewers fell in love with her after the sixth episode of Season 1. Ji-Yeong became attached to Sae-Byeok, and they teamed up. Unlike the other marble deaths, there is no deception here. Ji-Yeong simply suggests that the two of them talk instead, since the game itself isn’t very long.

Ji-Yeong purposefully loses the game, sacrificing herself for Sae-Byeok and exclaiming that she had nothing waiting for her in the outside world. It’s one of the only sacrifices in an otherwise selfish game, which really made it stand out. She dies with a smile, saying the now infamous quote: “Make sure you leave this place alive. And… meet your mom. Get your brother back. And go to Jeju Island too.”

2

Kim Young-Mi, Player 095

Season 2, Episode 6

Kim Young-Mi was an incredibly sweet character, but that’s not the only reason that her death was so heartbreaking. She befriended a small group, but some of them voted against leaving the games. She begged with tears in her eyes, talking about how badly she wanted to live. In the very next game, she died.

She bonded with player 120, and right before she died she searched for her, calling out for her ‘Unnie,’ which is a word similar to ‘older sister.’ Especially considering Player 120’s arc as a transgender woman, it shows how much she accepted her, only for Player 120 to vote for the games to continue.

1

Sae-Byeok, Player 067

Season 1, Episode 8

Sae-Byeok’s death might be the most tragic in the entire show. She wasn’t just killed off in the games, she was murdered by a player. She made it to the final three, but Sang-woo had saved a shard of glass and killed her in the middle of the night. Despite her best efforts to fight him off, she passed away.

Since she lasts so long in the game, you get to know her backstory. She joined in to take care of her brother after they were separated from their parents, and her death was unfair. Of course, that’s the point of the game; it gives the illusion of equality, and Sae-Byeok’s death highlights that in the most tragic way possible.