Squid Game Season 3 brings back familiar faces from Season 2’s cliffhanger ending. Instead of introducing all new players, the final season continues the stories of survivors who made it through the deadly games.
Here’s your complete guide to every major character returning for the ultimate showdown.
Main Players Returning
Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun (Player 456)
The Reluctant Hero
Lee Jung-jae returns as the series protagonist who won Season 1 but came back to stop the games. After losing his friend Jung-bae in Season 2, Gi-hun enters Season 3 driven by revenge and determination to end the games once and for all.
Career Highlights:
- Emmy winner for Outstanding Lead Actor (2022)
- Known for “The Thieves” and “The Housemaid”
- Started as a fashion model before acting
Jo Yu-ri as Kim Jun-hui (Player 222)
The Pregnant Player
Jun-hui was Season 2’s most unique addition – a pregnant woman fighting for survival. Her storyline adds emotional weight to the games as viewers wonder how her pregnancy will affect the final challenges.
Background:
- Former K-pop idol turned actress
- Known for “Work Later, Drink Now”
- Born October 22, 2001
Park Sung-hoon as Hyun-ju (Player 120)
The Brave Ally
Hyun-ju represents the series’ only LGBTQ+ character and became one of Season 2’s most beloved players. She showed incredible courage fighting alongside Gi-hun’s team and returns as a key player in Season 3.
Notable Works:
- “The Glory” as Jeon Jae-joon
- “Queen of Tears” as Yoon Eun-seong
- Struggled early in career before breakthrough
Im Si-wan as Lee Myeong-gi (Player 333)
The Fallen Influencer
Once known as “MG Coin,” Myeong-gi was a cryptocurrency influencer whose investment advice ruined many lives, including his pregnant girlfriend’s. Now both face the consequences in the deadly games.
Career Background:
- Started in K-pop group ZE:A
- Known for “Run On” and “Summer Strike”
- Transitioned successfully from idol to actor
Key Villains and Authority Figures
Lee Byung-hun as Hwang In-ho/Young-il (Front Man)
The Master Manipulator
The Front Man disguised himself as Player Young-il in Season 2, even gaining Gi-hun’s trust before the shocking betrayal. Season 3 will reveal how Gi-hun reacts to learning his ally’s true identity.
International Fame:
- Storm Shadow in “G.I. Joe” films
- T-1000 in “Terminator Genisys”
- Global star before Squid Game
Park Gyu-young as Kang No-eul (Guard 011)
The Rebellious Guard
Unlike other guards, No-eul questions orders and refuses to participate in organ trafficking. Her defiance suggests she might join the heroes in Season 3.
Recent Success:
- “Sweet Home” as Yoon Ji-su
- “Celebrity” as Seo Ah-ri
- Rising star in K-drama scene
Supporting Players
Yang Dong-geun as Park Yong-sik (Player 007)
The Gambler with a Heart
Yong-sik entered the games due to gambling debts but maintains his moral compass. His mother also joins the games, creating additional emotional stakes.
Kang Ae-shim as Jang Geum-ja (Player 149)
The Protective Mother
Geum-ja only joined the games to protect her son. Both survived Season 2, but their fate remains uncertain in the final season.
Lee Jin-wook as Kyung-seok (Player 246)
The Moral Player
Kyung-seok refuses to use immoral tactics to survive, making him a natural ally for Gi-hun’s team. He was shot in Season 2’s finale, leaving his fate uncertain.
Outside the Games
Wi Ha-jun as Hwang Jun-ho
The Determined Detective
While Gi-hun fights from inside the games, Jun-ho works from the outside to locate the games’ venue. He discovers the boat captain he trusted might be a traitor.
Popular Roles:
- “Little Women” as Choi Do-il
- “Gyeongseong Creature” as Kwon Jun-taek
- Horror hit “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum”
Other Notable Returning Cast
Key Players:
- Roh Jae-won as Nam-gyu (Player 124) – Angry follower of MG Coin
- Lee Da-wit as Min-su (Player 125) – Timid player undergoing transformation
- Kang Ha-neul as Dae-ho (Player 388) – Player who froze during Season 2’s battle
- Song Young-chang as Im Jeong-dae (Player 100) – Morally corrupt veteran player
Supporting Characters:
- Chae Gook-hee as Seon-nyeo (Player 044) – The shaman player
- Jun Seok-ho as Woo-seok – Key supporting character
- Park Hee-soon as The Officer – Antagonistic authority figure
What to Expect in Season 3
The returning cast creates strong continuity from Season 2’s cliffhanger ending. Key storylines to watch:
- Gi-hun’s revenge against the Front Man after the betrayal
- Jun-hui’s pregnancy and how it affects the final games
- The alliance between players like Hyun-ju and Kyung-seok
- Jun-ho’s investigation from outside the games
- Guard No-eul’s potential switch to help the players
Why This Cast Works
Season 3’s decision to continue with established characters rather than starting fresh allows for:
- Deeper character development after Season 2’s setup
- Emotional investment in familiar faces
- Complex relationships built over two seasons
- Satisfying conclusions to ongoing storylines
The mix of returning heroes, villains, and morally gray characters sets up an explosive final season where every relationship and alliance will be tested in the deadliest games yet.
