The Psychology of Squid Game

Gi-hun represents the "Everyman" archetype and serves as the moral compass of Squid Game. A 47-year-old chauffeur drowning in debt, his character embodies the struggles of South Korea's working class. Despite his gambling addiction and personal failures, his inherent empathy and morality shine through, creating the cognitive dissonance that drives the series' central tension.

Psychologically, Gi-hun exhibits traits of learned helplessness combined with unexpected resilience. His decision-making process reflects the classic battle between survival instinct and ethical principles, making him relatable to viewers facing their own moral dilemmas. His transformation throughout the series represents the psychological impact of trauma and survival guilt.

Sang-woo embodies the dark side of ambition and represents South Korea's pressure-cooker education system. A Seoul National University graduate and financial analyst, his character explores how societal expectations can corrupt moral judgment. His calculated, cold rationality stems from status anxiety and represents high Machiavellianism traits.

His psychological profile reveals narcissistic tendencies masked by surface-level charm and intelligence. Sang-woo's downfall illustrates how shame and desperation can lead to the abandonment of previously held moral principles, making him one of the series' most complex antagonists.

Sae-byeok's character represents the trauma of displacement and the North Korean defector experience in South Korea. Her guarded nature reflects attachment trauma and survival mechanisms developed through extreme adversity. She exemplifies an avoidant attachment style while maintaining deep loyalty to family.

Her psychological resilience comes from necessity rather than choice, showcasing how trauma can both strengthen and isolate individuals. Sae-byeok's arc explores themes of trust, sacrifice, and the cost of survival in a hostile environment, making her one of the series' most compelling characters.

Ali represents the vulnerability of migrant workers and the exploitation of trust. A Pakistani factory worker in South Korea, his character embodies pure altruism and represents the naive idealist archetype. His unwavering loyalty and kindness expose the tragic consequences of goodness in a corrupt system.

Psychologically, Ali demonstrates high empathy and agreeableness, traits that make him both beloved by audiences and tragically exploitable. His character serves as social commentary on immigration, labor rights, and the treatment of foreign workers in developed nations.

Il-nam's character represents the ultimate twist in Squid Game's narrative. Initially appearing as a vulnerable elderly man with dementia, his true identity as the game's creator reveals a study in moral disengagement and psychopathic detachment. His character challenges viewers' assumptions about age, vulnerability, and evil.

His psychological profile suggests high intelligence combined with a complete lack of empathy for human suffering. Il-nam's motivation—boredom and the thrill of playing games with human lives—represents the ultimate corruption of wealth and power, serving as a critique of the ultra-wealthy's disconnect from human suffering.

Deok-su operates on pure primal instincts and represents toxic masculinity taken to its extreme. His aggressive dominance and complete lack of moral restraint showcase antisocial personality traits. As a gangster fleeing debt, his character embodies the criminal underworld's brutal survival tactics.

His psychological makeup reveals high impulsivity, low empathy, and a predatory approach to relationships. Deok-su's character serves as a foil to more sympathetic players, representing what humans become when stripped of societal constraints and moral development.

Mi-nyeo's erratic behavior and desperate survival tactics reflect extreme emotional volatility and abandonment issues. Her character demonstrates traits consistent with histrionic personality disorder, including attention-seeking behavior, emotional instability, and manipulative relationships.

Her psychological profile reveals deep-seated trauma and a desperate need for connection masked by aggressive self-preservation. Mi-nyeo's unpredictability makes her both dangerous and tragic, representing how desperation can lead to complete psychological breakdown.