Summary
Squid Gamesurpassed all expectations and took the television world by storm, breaking countless records and becoming one of the most-watched Netflix programs on the planet. It’s a simple premise with gripping twists and characters that encapsulate a variety of social backgrounds, occupations, and age groups.
Fans will always have their favorites, whether it’s Kang Sae-byeok from season one, or some new introductions like Thanos in the follow-up. But some of the standouts actually come from the higher age groups. Though they’re not always as aggressive or athletic, the older competitors make it through game after game with wit and careful alliances that could turn sour at any moment. While many of their exact ages are not known, viewers can get a general idea of who slots into what age group. The older characters on the show prove to be some of the most interesting and fun in the whole show.
8Han Mi-nyeo: Around 45 Years Old
Nasty, Despicable, And Ready to Kill
Loud, outspoken, and not afraid to get the job done, Mi-nyeo causes mayhem right until her untimely end. But she isn’t all bad, as there is a lot of emotional depth and vulnerability hidden under the harsh and arrogant exterior.
Despite her fears and anxiety, she shows complexity and bravery, voting against ending the games and eventually takes down Deok-su with her, after vowing to kill him for betraying her. She’s a roller coaster and a wildcard at every moment. Her age is never stated, but actor Kim Joo-ryoung was 45 in Season 1, so Mi-nyeo’s age is probably not far off.
7Cho Sang-woo: 46 Years Old
Old Friend Becomes New Foe
The 46-year-old childhood friend to the protagonist, Gi-hun, Sang-woo is stoic and assertive, insisting on pushing forward but always staying true to his heart. He goes through several arcs throughout the show, beginning as a reserved and collected individual, then a murderous killer, and finally a good friend.
He is incredibly intelligent and not afraid to speak his mind. Additionally, there are several moments and interactions where his emotions come through, breaking down in tears andadmitting his wrongdoings, culminating in him taking his own life in the final game.
6Shaman Seon-nyeo: Around 50 Years Old
Mysterious And Masterful
A big ego and a big desire to win, Seon-nyeo is selfish and willing to cut off anyone whoturns their back on her. Her exact age isn’t known, but she is presumed to be around 50. She uses that fact to influence others with her mature presence, as well as her self-proclaimed abilities as a shaman.
She deduces that Gi-hun has won before and judges players from the get-go, attempting to win them over to her side or push them away if she deems them useless. She remains alive at the end of season two, so the conclusion to her arc will come to a close no doubt in cunning and unpleasant ways.
5Hwang In-ho: Around 50 Years Old
The Winner Takes It All
At nearly 50 years old and the Front Man in the first season, he’s back in Season 2, joining the games himself. He is revealed as Hwang Jun-ho’s half-brother and joins the games as player one, unbeknownst to Gi-hun. He puts on a great act, playing dumb at times but revealing his true nature when he is given the opportunity to kill.
One of the biggest questionsis how and when his identity will be revealed to the characters. In the final moments of season two, he slips away and returns to his position as the Front Man, confronting the disheveled Gi-hun who he had spoken to face-to-face only moments prior.
4Park Jung-bae: 51 Years Old
Loyal Till The Very End
Jolly and eager to survive, Jung-bae is comedic and quickly became an all-time favorite for many viewers. His charm comes from his intentions: to survive the games and pay off his debt. He rarely threatens others or tries to one-up the competition and sticks close by Gi-hun as a friend for as long as he possibly can.
The 51-year-old takes pride in his service as a marine and uses it as a motivator for other fellow soldiers when the combat begins. Despite voting to continue the games at first, he switches his perspective and joins the X group, helping others survive and wanting to leave unscathed.
3Seong Gi-hun: 51 Years Old
He’s Played These Games Before
The poster child himself, 51-year-old Gi-hun is as mad as he is motivated. After being selected for the games andwinning the first time aroundin season one, he desires to go back and put a stop to the games once and for all, using his winnings to recruit search parties and boat crews to track and hunt down the island.
His entrance into the second season is far more outspoken, as he yells passionately during red-light, green-light that he knows the games, instructing everyone to move carefully. In the final episodes of the season, he orchestrates a master plan to take back the facility from the workers and launches an assault that ultimately fails. But it is certain that he will never give up, no matter how many games he has to play, even if it kills him.
2Jang Geum-ja: Around 70 Years Old
Like Mother, Like Son
One of the kindest and most innocent souls, Geum-ja cares about one thing and one thing only: her son. Her reason for joining the games is to help pay off her son’s gambling debts, and she will do anything she can to protect him.
She brings others together and offers to cook them all dinner at her house, showing a truly compassionate and good-at-heart characterthat season one lacked. Since she is in her 70s, she isn’t much of a physical threat, but thanks to those around her, she is safe enough to make it through the games alive.
1Oh Il-nam: Around 80 Years Old
The One Who Started It All
Player number one during the first season, Il-nam, at nearly 80, shows his excitement at the games, but with one of the biggest twists, it is revealed that his real identity is far more sinister. He was the creator, the original designer of the games, purely for the entertainment of himself and other wealthy individuals.
On first viewing, his motives and actions seem disconnected and unclear, citing a brain tumor as the reason for this. But on a second viewing, it is clear that much of his dialogue and interactions foreshadow his reality and tell a much darker story.
