The Front Man, Squid Game‘s dark mastermind, remains the show’s great enigma — what’s driving him and what outcome was he truly hoping for all along? The finale of the Netflix global hit that released last Friday doesn’t fully resolve those questions (as creator Hwang Dong-hyuk intended), leaving fans to hope that a rumored spinoff might eventually provide more answers.
But there’s a second figure of uncertain principles lurking at the heart of Squid Game’s final two seasons: Myung-gi, the hapless, washed-up crypto influencer who stumbles upon his very pregnant ex-girlfriend, Kim Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri), inside the Game. Things ended badly between them. But if a surprise pregnancy isn’t the moment for a young man to find moral purpose, surely a surprise pregnancy inside a murderous game of death should be, right?
For a time, it seems like Myung-gi, who is played by Yim Swian, just might rise to the occasion. Across seasons two and three, the character is repeatedly offered chances at redemption — to protect instead of deceive, to sacrifice rather than survive — and yet, he never manages to step fully into the light. Is he a narcisistic weasel, or simply youthfully mixed up? His descent is one of Squid Game’s most uncomfortable character arcs — not because it’s extreme, but because it feels painfully familiar, a portrait of moral failure shaded by charm, desperation and self-delusion.
The K-pop idol turned actor plays Myung-gi’s ambiguities — and loathsome undercurrents — with unnerving precision. The Squid Game role marks a significant step up for the 36-year-old performer who has spent the past decade building a reputation for taking on unexpected, often morally complex characters, working somewhat against the type suggested by his flawlessly boyish looks.
As Squid Game marched through its final six episodes to a stunningly dark denouement (including that A-list cameo from Cate Blanchett for the final coda), Myung-gi was there all along, his fate uncertain to the bitter end. The Hollywood Reporter spoke with Yim about his character’s fateful decision in the series finale that makes him “a pathetic coward” — and about how it feels to have become the character Squid Game fans now most love to hate.
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Your character has so many opportunities for redemption throughout seasons two and three, but in the end, he reveals himself to be purely self-interested. Did you speak to Director Hwang about what your character represents within the show’s broader critique of late-capitalist society?
Well, I don’t think the character of Myung-gi can only be interpreted within the context of capitalist society. He’s more of a character who poses fundamental questions related to human nature. In my view, he shows what happens to a person when they’re put in an extreme position between morality and selfishness — and the ending that will find them if they make the wrong choice.
Yim Si-wan, here as Lee Myung-gi in Squid Game, says his character was motivated by fear: “Ultimately, he’s a pathetic coward.”
No Ju-han/Netflix
When did you find out how far into the game your character would survive, and what was your reaction to that?
When I finally had a chance to read all of the scripts, I learned that I’d be staying in the game for a very long while. Honestly, I wasn’t exactly thrilled, because I got to see the ugly process that allows him to survive for so long. So that was a recurring question mark for me throughout shooting — is it really good that Myung-gi is still in the game? How should I be thinking about this? As for myself, Yim Si-Wan, I would have preferred that he died by sacrificing himself for Kim Jun-hee. I wish she could have been the one to play the final game with their baby. But it wasn’t my choice to make.
What was it like filming that final scene with Lee Jung-jae’s Gi-hun, where you’re fighting on the Sky Squid Game platform? How did you film that, and what was the experience like?
It was the worst situation. Looking back on filming that scene, I still didn’t really have full conviction or understanding of what kind of character Myung-gi is, even until that very last point. All the way up until then, I was always questioning his motives and what kind of character he is deep down. So in that last scene, I really had to listen closely to the direction I received from Director Hwang, putting all my effort into understanding and focusing on his intent.
It’s a dynamic action scene, but your character is also experiencing really intense emotions — toward his rival, Gi-hun, but also about himself, as he’s realizing the choice he’s making. That must have been a lot to balance.
Yeah, it really was. But rather than thinking about the good and evil of humanity that’s encapsulated in that scene, I just focused on the intense fear that the character would feel in that situation. So, rather than thinking about harming or not harming the baby, I was more focused on portraying how fearful Myung-gi would be in that situation. Fear is what I believed Myung-gi would feel most of all, because ultimately, he’s a pathetic coward. So, I made the choice that fear was the basis of my whole performance in that sequence.
How have fans reacted to your Squid Game character, and has it changed how people approach you or talk to you about your work?
Well, I’ve seen the comments online. [Shakes his head, sheepishly] I also got loads of texts and messages from friends right after season three was released. A lot of them said they really enjoyed the show and found the ending shocking. But even some of my friends sent me hate messages — like, “You’re so bad! Horrible! How could you do that?” (Laughs.)
Kang Ae-sim as Geum-ja, aka Player 149 (left) with Jun-hee (right) and her and Myung-gi’s baby in the final season of Squid Game. In the end, Jun-hee sacrificed herself to give their baby a better shot — and the newborn ended up as the sole survivor of the game.
Netflix
On the one hand, that means your performance was really effective, since people have had such a visceral reaction. On the other, you’re a rising star but now you’re identified with a globally loathed character. How do you feel about it?
I think I need to love the hate. So I’m going to take it all as a compliment. It’s okay — you can hate Myung-gi as much as you like.
Getting involved in Squid Game was a huge stroke of luck in my life. But at the same time, I think it’s best if I don’t read too much into it and just leave it as a really memorable experience. Instead of letting this huge show reshape my whole life, it’ll be best if I can just maintain the attitude of being a diligent, hardworking actor. I hope I’m essentially the same guy — before and after Squid Game.
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The final season of Squid Game is now streaming on Netflix. Read THR’s take on the finale cameo and how it could set up a spinoff, interview with Jo Yu-ri (Jun-hee) and our two-part interview with creator Hwang Dong-hyuk on the final season and final scene.