
40 Under-$25 Products That Are Spectacular
A reusable plug-in fly trap with a built-in light that'll work like a siren song, luring hapless flying insects to their demise. It calls out to fruit flies and gnats up to 400 feet away so you can finally reclaim your home WITHOUT having to look at a gross fly trap roll.
L'Oreal Paris Bright Reveal — a new dark spot correcting serum that aims to be like a professional peel in a bottle. The blue gel uses 25% AHA, BHA, and PHA to chemically exfoliate and help reveal brighter, smoother skin. Expect compliments with words like glowing, radiant, and wellness influencer.
A pair of wireless over-the-ear headphones just as cute and functional as AirPods Max, but at a price point so low, it'll seem like a clerical error. Despite the tiny price tag, they still boast cushion padding, a built-in mic, 10 hours of playtime per charge, and noise-cancelling capability.
A cloud bath bomb that spits out rainbows when you throw it into the tub. This seems like it's too cool to be real, but review photos prove that some dreams do come true.
A bottle of Boldify hair-building fibers, which cling to your strands to create a fuller effect. The particles temporarily "fill in" sparse areas on your head to give you thicker-looking hair in seconds. Seal it with hairspray, and it'll last all day!
Fruity and floral tea made in Jeju Island, Korea featuring spring-forward flavors like cherry blossom, honey pear, and camellia flower. According to one reviewer, "the whole cup is a sip of spring."
And a capybara mug — complete with a lil' orange hat! — to enjoy said tea in. What better way to start the day than with amazing company?
Mise En Scene Perfect Serum, a K-beauty favorite that promises intense hydration and heat protection up to 450 degrees. With the help of a blend of oils (Moroccan argan, olive, jojoba, coconut, etc), it can help repair damaged hair and reduce frizz, even in hot, humid weather. It's so effective, reviewers compare it to the $46 Gisou version.
A cult-favorite luxury-scented candle reviewers love for its intoxicating and long-lasting smell (think: Le Labo's Santal 33). It has an impressive throw, meaning you can actually fill your home with its calming jasmine, oud, and sandalwood scent instead of having to stick your nose right up to the flame.
A Billie dermaplaning razor kit that will make quick work of peach fuzz, stray hairs, and eyebrows in need of a touch-up. Now, you can extend the time between threading appointments — or skip them altogether. They're designed with a cute reusable handle, making them less wasteful than competitors.
A Japanese hori hori gardening knife sure to become the MVP of your gardening toolbox. The lightweight tool has a serrated side and straight edge, so you can dig, weed, slice roots, cut sod, and break up perennials. Deep-rooted dandelions and other summer weeds will see themselves out.
A Lego cherry blossom kit for decor you can build yourself. The 430-piece set comes with everything you need to build two stems, and at less than $15, it's a steal compared to most Lego kits.
A pack of cold sore healing patches to zap painful blisters in record time. The hydrocolloid bandages keep the environment moist to speed up healing and prevent scabbing. They protect, conceal, and can lower the chance of you touching it and potentially giving yourself even more cold sores. 🤦♀️
Onsen's nail and cuticle serum — it uses rice bran oil, Japanese seaweed, and shea butter to condition nails and add some shine. If your nails are absolutely wrecked from your last set of gel or acrylics — this is a must. Reviewers say it's super lightweight, so you can say goodbye to the days of oily cuticle creams that take approximately 84 years to absorb.
An electric scrubber with a nice handle so you can clean your kitchen sans wrist pain. The handy device will make quick work of your dirty pans, stove top, tile floors, or whatever else you'd prefer not to scrub by hand.
Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener to expertly conceal and brighten dark circles under your eyes just as well as the $33 Becca version. The lightweight, color-adapting formula is designed to blend seamlessly — check the drastic difference in the review photo!
The Pink Stuff, an all-purpose paste that you can use to clean basically any surface — it works on everything from marble and wood to rubber boots and car steering wheels. Wasting time scrubbing will be a thing of the past. And the future? Sparkly clean items as far as the eye can see.
A hair-lightening spray to brighten up hair by TWO shades or more! Spritz a little of this citrus and chamomile spray onto damp hair, then activate it with heat-styling tools. I recommend blow drying and hitting it with a curling iron or straightener for the best results. Over 7,000 5-star raters love it because it's less harsh than bleach and even works on dark hair.
A viral "Soft" perfume rollerball for anyone who wants people to think of them and think "yum." Reviewers compare this ~$6 fragrance to caramel, lemon cupcakes, warm vanilla scones, cotton candy, and this $65 bottle of Pink Sugar!
A lightweight gel cream from Nivea with powerful Q10 that helps plump, firm, and moisturize skin in as little as two weeks with consistent use. Over 1,400 reviewers are happy with their results!
Or a Medix retinol body lotion because if retinol works so well for your face, it's gotta do wonders for the rest of your body too. With the help of ferulic acid, it encourages skin cell turnover to help tighten and firm skin. One 5-star reviewer (out of 4,700+) called it a life-changing find!
A pair of Cushionaire cork-bottom sandals that are not only supremely comfortable, they're also an affordable alternative to Mayari Birks. The similarities go past just looks: They also have 100% genuine suede soles, so your feet will demand you wear these every single day.
A Skin1004 Zombie Pack to bring your skin back to life in a good, non-horror movie way. The mask tightens as it dries, creating a fun undead look (just like the more expensive Hanacure). When you wash it off, you might be pleasantly surprised to see bouncier, more hydrated skin.
Anua heartleaf pore-clearing cleansing oil, a viral sensation proving that seeing is believing: Reviewers say they could actually watch the gunk leaving their skin. It dissolves makeup, attacks blackheads, and works to remove excess sebum without stripping away natural oils, drying out your skin, or using any dark magic.
A pair of crossover flared leggings providing a silhouette so enticing, you'll find yourself getting distracted every time you see your reflection. If the 5,800+ happy reviewers are to be believed, these pants are so comfortable, you'll be asking questions like, "can I wear these to a wedding?"
And a super-soft longline sports bra some have compared to Lululemon's Align tank top for an Equinox-level workout look at a Planet Fitness price. Reviewers say it offers a little less compression, so you can wear it on casual days, too.
Juno & Co.'s Clean 10 Cleansing Balm made with a blend of pearl barley and vitamin E to completely obliterate every speck of makeup on your face. Seriously, you'll feel so fresh and baby-faced, you'll wonder if that eyeliner was really as smudge-proof as you previously thought.
A powerful callus remover in case your heels are looking a little too much like a desert. Just marinate your feet in the gel for 5–10 minutes, then follow up with a foot rasp. The smooth result will make even babies jealous.
Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist — a J-beauty classic loved for its gentle formula (three types of hyaluronic acid!) that hydrates, absorbs easily, and works to protect the skin barrier. If you're not from Japan or deep in Reddit skincare threads, you might have missed this, quite frankly, must-try find.
A set of hair bands with metal chains that can pass as fine jewelry when you wear them on your wrist. They come in trendy links like paperclip, cable, and curb, so yeah, people are going to be hounding you with compliments.
E.l.f Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara, which creates tubing around your lashes to make them appear longer, thicker, and darker. The lightweight "extensions" won't smudge or weigh down your actual lashes and — best of all — they fall right off when you wash your face. No one likes having to scrub their eyes raw trying to get off waterproof makeup. :(
A layered necklace set featuring three classic chains — herringbone, curb, and rope — that'll elevate any outfit, even your dog-walking uniform. Thanks to their gold plating, the necklaces are hypoallergenic and tarnish-resistant, making them a great budget option when solid gold is out of the question.
Lottabody Wrap Me Curl Mousse, a whipped-cream-like delight that defines curls, moisturizes with shea and coconut oil, and tackles frizz. The foam makes it super easy to distribute throughout your hair, and the heavenly scent will make you feel like you're on a tropical vacation. 44,000 customers have given this budget-friendly find a thumbs up!
A 3D-printed mini turtle sandbox desk toy complete with play sand, a mini rake, a tiny shovel, and two sandcastle molds. Some reviewers added some extra miniatures to up the cuteness. I would pay $1,000 for something this cute, so I'm glad I don't have to.
Medicube's collagen jelly because your face deserves a dessert-like treat, too! Hydrolyzed collagen (collagen that's broken into smaller segments for better skin absorption) works to keep your skin feeling firm, bouncy, and ready to join the #glassskin trend. It also has superstar niacinamide to protect and improve your skin barrier for an added glow.
Stained glass window film you might be able to pass as the real thing — at least at first glance. It's also the coolest version of privacy film I've ever seen, so it's worth it even if you don't trick your neighbors.
A TikTok-beloved Bio-Collagen Real Deep mask that lets you literally get some "beauty sleep." The sleep mask's oligo-hyaluronic acid works to leave your face feeling refreshed and glowy, even if you didn't get your full nine hours. The mask turns transparent after 3-ish hours as it's absorbed into the skin, and loads of reviewers mention visible results after just one treatment.
Polarized sunglasses for people who know they can't be trusted with high-end pairs. These do a good impression of Ray-Bans *and* they come in a three-pack, so losing a pair at the park won't be a world-ending event.
Kojic acid dark spot remover soap that harnesses the power of iconic ingredients hyaluronic acid, retinol, shea butter, vitamin E, and Castile olive oil to hydrate and diminish the appearance of dark spots, sun damage, and blemishes. Use it regularly on your face, hands, neck, bikini area, inner thighs, and underarms to achieve a glowier, more even complexion.
And a ~cat-a-pult~ so you can pelt your desk neighbor when they start chewing too loudly. Take that, Pete from accounting! Revenge is normally priceless, but in this case, it's under $10.
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New York Post
39 minutes ago
- New York Post
Beyoncé and Jay-Z steal the spotlight at Louis Vuitton's Paris Fashion Week show: ‘Queen Bey effect'
PARIS — If any force dominated the global fashion industry this season — eclipsing fabric, form and even the wildest silhouettes — it was the spectacle of celebrity. In a year marked by global anxiety and a hunger for fantasy, star power flooded Paris Fashion Week, turning runways into gladiator arenas where A-list icons, K-pop idols and digital megastars became the main event. Beyoncé and Jay-Z didn't just attend Louis Vuitton's blockbuster show — they became the show. Advertisement 4 Beyoncé and Jay-Z at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Show in Paris on June 24, 2025. Photo byAs they swept into the Pompidou Center, cameras flashed and phones shot skyward. Before the first look even hit the runway, images of the couple ricocheted across the globe. K-pop idols like J-Hope and Jackson Wang livestreamed their arrival to millions, while crowds outside flooded social feeds with every glimpse of a star. As the industry's spring season wraps up Sunday, it's clear: Fashion's global audience is focused less on what's worn and more on who's wearing it. Advertisement This interplay between celebrity and fashion is hardly new, but in 2025, the desire for escapism and star-driven spectacle is peaking like never before. 'It's about celebrity clickbait, and it's at a tipping point now. Celebrities have replaced the designers and stylists as the tastemakers,' said Anna Barr, a fashion magazine editor who attended shows. Beyoncé's appearance this week encapsulated a truth that every major brand — from Louis Vuitton to Dior, Hermès to Saint Laurent — now understands: The real front row isn't in Paris, but on Instagram, TikTok and Weibo. And nothing sells quite like a star. 4 Beyoncé wore a denim outfit seemingly inspired by her 'Cowboy Carter.' Photo byBeyoncé's denim look goes viral Advertisement The pop star's head-to-toe denim — custom Louis Vuitton by Pharrell Williams — wasn't just viral. Within 24 hours, clips of her arrival amassed millions of views on TikTok, outpacing even Louis Vuitton's own campaign content. When Williams presented her with a Speedy bag straight from the runway in the Paris dusk, the moment went viral — underlining that Beyoncé isn't just an attendee, but a face of Louis Vuitton's creative vision. But even as Beyoncé's look became the week's most shared image, her presence in Paris also sparked debate: a Buffalo Soldiers T-shirt she wore during her 'Cowboy Carter' tour ignited criticism from some Indigenous and Mexican communities, reminding the industry that every viral moment can be a flash point. 4 The singer also wore a cowboy hat to the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images Advertisement This is the new dynamic of luxury: The most coveted runway seat is now in your hand, and what matters most isn't just what you see, but who you see wearing it. Show, not just tell: Fashion as spectacle What once was a private preview for buyers and editors is now a worldwide entertainment event. Designers don't just stage shows — they produce spectacles. Williams, Louis Vuitton's showman-in-chief, turned his runway into a snakes-and-ladders fantasy with a guest list to match: Beyoncé, Jay-Z, K-pop royalty J-Hope and Jackson Wang, reggaeton star Karol G, and Hollywood names like Bradley Cooper and Mason Thames. Each arrival triggered waves of posts and stories — making the crowd as newsworthy as the collection itself. The modern runway has become a stage for celebrity, where the applause is measured in views and viral moments, and the line between performer and spectator disappears. 4 Pharrell Williams greeting Beyoncé at the show. AFP via Getty Images No other force is shifting menswear trends faster than K-pop. This season, stars like J-Hope, Jackson Wang, GOT7's Bambam, and NCT's Yuta were everywhere, livestreaming shows and igniting fashion frenzies from Seoul to Sao Paulo. These idols are both tastemakers and trend translators, instantly transmitting what they see in Paris to millions of fans. Their attendance has become a commercial event in itself, driving the adoption of new styles on a global scale. 'Queen Bey' effect Advertisement Even the clothes themselves now chase celebrity. Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' moment and Louis Vuitton's nod to Western style sent cowboy hats, flared denim, and rhinestone shirts trending worldwide. Brands scramble to turn these viral moments into wearable trends — knowing that what Queen Bey wears in Paris will be copied in malls and on apps within weeks. 'We make fashion, but we're a house of travel,' Williams told reporters. In truth, it's the celebrity's journey through fashion that matters most. Advertisement The old fashion cycle is gone. It's been said before. Where trends once took months to trickle down, now a celebrity-worn look can reach the high street soon after the show lights dim. TikTok and fast fashion brands move at the speed of the repost. At Hermès, even the discreet luxury of woven leather tees and wide trousers took on new meaning as athletes and music stars documented their attendance. Their posts quickly turn exclusive details into mass-market 'must-haves.' Shein and Temu, the global fast-fashion juggernauts, have weaponized the viral moment — turning celebrity sightings into shoppable trends worldwide, sometimes in a matter of hours. The result: What debuts on the Paris catwalk can show up in online shopping carts from Atlanta to Addis Ababa almost instantly. Beneath the celebrity glow, classic trends endure. Streetwear is still king, with oversized silhouettes, soft tailoring and activewear influences everywhere from Dior to Dolce & Gabbana. Advertisement The Hermès 'cool city guy' and Dolce's pajama dressing — rumpled but rich — are direct answers to how men want to live and move now. But even these trends go mainstream through star power, not just design. The models might debut the look, but it's the front-row faces who make it stick. The celebrity ascendancy isn't just a front-row phenomenon — it's woven into the industry itself. When LVMH 's Bernard Arnault tapped Williams, a global pop icon, to lead Louis Vuitton menswear in 2023, it wasn't just a creative risk. It was a declaration that celebrity now runs the show. Everyone's invited now All this spectacle reflects a bigger shift. Fashion isn't just about what's in — it's about who's in the room, and who's watching. At Armani in Milan, at Saint Laurent in Paris, at every show, a galaxy of K-pop, Hollywood, and music stars now drive the narrative. Advertisement For Gen Z and Alpha, the runway is no longer about aspiration — it's about participation, sharing, and living in the moment. The 'show' has become the product. In 2025, the hottest look in men's fashion isn't a garment — it's the spectacle. In the world's most-watched runway season, celebrity is the new couture, and every scroll puts you in the front row.


The Hill
3 hours ago
- The Hill
Beyoncé and Jay-Z become the main event as Paris crowns celebrity the world's hottest trend
PARIS (AP) — If any force dominated the global fashion industry this season — eclipsing fabric, form and even the wildest silhouettes — it was the spectacle of celebrity. In a year marked by global anxiety and a hunger for fantasy, star power flooded Paris Fashion Week, turning runways into gladiator arenas where A-list icons, K-pop idols and digital megastars became the main event. Beyoncé and Jay-Z didn't just attend Louis Vuitton's blockbuster show — they became the show. As they swept into the Pompidou Center, cameras flashed and phones shot skyward. Before the first look even hit the runway, images of the couple ricocheted across the globe. K-pop idols like J-Hope and Jackson Wang livestreamed their arrival to millions, while crowds outside flooded social feeds with every glimpse of a star. As the industry's spring season wraps up Sunday, it's clear: Fashion's global audience is focused less on what's worn and more on who's wearing it. This interplay between celebrity and fashion is hardly new, but in 2025, the desire for escapism and star-driven spectacle is peaking like never before. 'It's about celebrity clickbait, and it's at a tipping point now. Celebrities have replaced the designers and stylists as the tastemakers,' said Anna Barr, a fashion magazine editor who attended shows. Beyoncé's appearance this week encapsulated a truth that every major brand — from Louis Vuitton to Dior, Hermès to Saint Laurent — now understands: The real front row isn't in Paris, but on Instagram, TikTok and Weibo. And nothing sells quite like a star. The pop star's head-to-toe denim — custom Louis Vuitton by Pharrell Williams — wasn't just viral. Within 24 hours, clips of her arrival amassed millions of views on TikTok, outpacing even Louis Vuitton's own campaign content. When Williams presented her with a Speedy bag straight from the runway in the Paris dusk, the moment went viral — underlining that Beyoncé isn't just an attendee, but a face of Louis Vuitton's creative vision. But even as Beyoncé's look became the week's most shared image, her presence in Paris also sparked debate: a Buffalo Soldiers T-shirt she wore during her 'Cowboy Carter' tour ignited criticism from some Indigenous and Mexican communities, reminding the industry that every viral moment can be a flash point. This is the new dynamic of luxury: The most coveted runway seat is now in your hand, and what matters most isn't just what you see, but who you see wearing it. What once was a private preview for buyers and editors is now a worldwide entertainment event. Designers don't just stage shows — they produce spectacles. Williams, Louis Vuitton's showman-in-chief, turned his runway into a snakes-and-ladders fantasy with a guest list to match: Beyoncé, Jay-Z, K-pop royalty J-Hope and Jackson Wang, reggaeton star Karol G, and Hollywood names like Bradley Cooper and Mason Thames. Each arrival triggered waves of posts and stories — making the crowd as newsworthy as the collection itself. The modern runway has become a stage for celebrity, where the applause is measured in views and viral moments, and the line between performer and spectator disappears. No other force is shifting menswear trends faster than K-pop. This season, stars like J-Hope, Jackson Wang, GOT7's Bambam, and NCT's Yuta were everywhere, livestreaming shows and igniting fashion frenzies from Seoul to Sao Paulo. These idols are both tastemakers and trend translators, instantly transmitting what they see in Paris to millions of fans. Their attendance has become a commercial event in itself, driving the adoption of new styles on a global scale. Even the clothes themselves now chase celebrity. Beyoncé's ' Cowboy Carter ' moment and Louis Vuitton's nod to Western style sent cowboy hats, flared denim, and rhinestone shirts trending worldwide. Brands scramble to turn these viral moments into wearable trends — knowing that what Queen Bey wears in Paris will be copied in malls and on apps within weeks. 'We make fashion, but we're a house of travel,' Williams told reporters. In truth, it's the celebrity's journey through fashion that matters most. The old fashion cycle is gone. It's been said before. Where trends once took months to trickle down, now a celebrity-worn look can reach the high street soon after the show lights dim. TikTok and fast fashion brands move at the speed of the repost. At Hermès, even the discreet luxury of woven leather tees and wide trousers took on new meaning as athletes and music stars documented their attendance. Their posts quickly turn exclusive details into mass-market 'must-haves.' Shein and Temu, the global fast-fashion juggernauts, have weaponized the viral moment — turning celebrity sightings into shoppable trends worldwide, sometimes in a matter of hours. The result: What debuts on the Paris catwalk can show up in online shopping carts from Atlanta to Addis Ababa almost instantly. Beneath the celebrity glow, classic trends endure. Streetwear is still king, with oversized silhouettes, soft tailoring and activewear influences everywhere from Dior to Dolce & Gabbana. The Hermès 'cool city guy' and Dolce's pajama dressing — rumpled but rich — are direct answers to how men want to live and move now. But even these trends go mainstream through star power, not just design. The models might debut the look, but it's the front-row faces who make it stick. The celebrity ascendancy isn't just a front-row phenomenon — it's woven into the industry itself. When LVMH 's Bernard Arnault tapped Williams, a global pop icon, to lead Louis Vuitton menswear in 2023, it wasn't just a creative risk. It was a declaration that celebrity now runs the show. All this spectacle reflects a bigger shift. Fashion isn't just about what's in — it's about who's in the room, and who's watching. At Armani in Milan, at Saint Laurent in Paris, at every show, a galaxy of K-pop, Hollywood, and music stars now drive the narrative. For Gen Z and Alpha, the runway is no longer about aspiration — it's about participation, sharing, and living in the moment. The 'show' has become the product. In 2025, the hottest look in men's fashion isn't a garment — it's the spectacle. In the world's most-watched runway season, celebrity is the new couture, and every scroll puts you in the front row.


Elle
3 hours ago
- Elle
The 'Squid Game' Season 3 Cast Is Full of Korean Megastars
Spoilers ahead. Squid Game has returned with its third and final season—and it's bloodier than ever. The deadly battle royale continues with the financially desperate characters we met in season 2, who are risking their lives for an opportunity to win millions of dollars (billions in Korean Won). Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), the winner of the last game, is determined to take down the sadistic organization behind it all. But that's not easy feat, especially after the last seasons's brutal finale. While creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk had trouble finding A-list actors (besides veterans Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byun-hun, and Gong Yoo) for the first season because the show was relatively unknown at the time, he had no trouble with casting for season 2. 'After season 1, we saw the cast becoming huge global stars overnight,' Hwang told The Hollywood Reporter. 'Thanks to that, I was [now] able to cast the exact actor that I wanted for every role.' This season's ensemble contains many established Korean actors, theater icons, and former and current K-pop stars that fans outside of the Squid Game universe might recognize. Check out some of the actors and the characters they play below. Three years passed after Gi-hun won the Squid Game, but throughout that time, he has been obsessively searching for the people responsible for the deadly operation. He reenters the game hoping to go head-to-head with the man in charge, the masked Front Man (Lee Byun-hun). Since the global success of Squid Game season 1, Lee Jung-jae has won a Primetime Emmy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Critics' Choice Award for his role as Gi-hun. Last year, he starred in the Star Wars series The Acolyte and the Korean film Revolver. Lee hopes fans will connect with the storyline this season, telling The Tonight Show, 'Because season 1 was so widely loved, we did feel the pressure about whether or not season 2 would be just as loved. However, our story has gotten more diverse, deeper, and with a very clear theme. So I don't know if I can say it will be as successful, but what I can say is that it's just as well-made.' Gi-hun isn't the only familiar face in the new Squid Game. Like Oh Il-nam in the first season, the Front Man disguises himself as a player to prevent Gi-heun's plan of destroying the game from happening. Lee returns as the main boss and villain of the game, but he also hopes to showcase a more human side to the character. As one of the most prolific and celebrated actors in South Korea, Lee has also appeared in several Hollywood blockbusters, including Terminator Genisys, Red 2, the G.I. Joe films, and 2016's The Magnificent Seven remake. He was recently seen in the disaster thriller Concrete Utopia and can be seen next in Park Chan-wook's No Other Choice. After being shot by his brother In-ho (the Front Man) and falling into the sea in the season 1 finale, detective Jun-ho miraculously survived but was traumatized by the whole experience. In seasons 2 and 3, he searches for the island—and his brother. 'As a police detective and family member, you can look forward to his determination and drive,' Wi said during the Squid Game press conference. 'Also, anticipate Jun-ho's judgment and charisma.' Since Squid Game, Wi has appeared in Little Women, Gyeongseong Creature, The Worst of Evil, and The Midnight Romance in Hagwon. He can be seen next in Shark 2: The Storm and Que Sera Sera. Gambling addict Yong-sik enters the game in hopes of clearing his debts from dangerous loan sharks. He is shocked to find his loving mother, Geum-ja, participating in the game, but he does his best to protect her throughout the deadly trials. Yang is an established hip-hop artist known as YDG and has released several albums, EPs, and singles throughout his 23-year music career. His musical talent led him to be the lead in Korea's production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights from 2015 to 2017. His acting career began at age 7, and he appeared in supporting and guest roles in several dramas and sitcoms before breaking out in leading roles as an adult in the TV drama Ruler of Your Own World and sports film Grand Prix. He recently appeared in Disney+'s Moving and Connect and can be seen next in the platform's The Manipulated. Kang has appeared in popular Korean dramas like A Virtuous Business and Queen of Divorce and hit films like Kim Ji-Young: Born 1982 and Rebound. She is best known for her musical theater background, having won numerous awards in Korea for her work onstage. Although Kang is a seasoned actress, Squid Game is her first global project. She plays Geum-ja, a loving mother who enters the Squid Game to clear her son, Yong-sik, of his gambling debts. Little did she know, he was also participating in the game. Together, they must find a way to survive. Player 388, a.k.a. Dae-ho, is first introduced to the series as a macho marine, but he has more bark than bite when faced with a few scary situations. Kang describes Dae-ho as 'full of energy,' which is the only thing he has in common with the character. During the Squid Game press conference in 2024, the cast praised Kang for his upbeat and charismatic personality. He responded, 'Honestly, when will I ever get to work with these amazing actors?' As one of Korea's most prolific Chungmuro (Korea's version of 'Hollywood') actors, Kang has starred in several award-winning films like the 2015 coming-of-age drama Twenty and 2023's popular romantic comedy Love Reset. He's also starred in multiple South Korean television shows, including Insider and When the Camellia Blooms. He's set to appear in the Korean film Yadang: The Snitch next year and the upcoming production Wall to Wall. Pregnant, broke, and alone, Jun-hee joins the games for an opportunity to rebuild her finances after losing everything in a crypto scam because her ex-boyfriend (and father of her unborn child), Myung-gi, pushed her to invest. Best known for her music, Jo rose in the industry as an idol in the K-pop group IZ*ONE before breaking out on her solo career. After releasing her two albums, she made her acting debut in 2022 with the television series Mimicus. Squid Game is her second major role. Jo reflected on her reaction to being cast, saying, 'I don't remember what exactly happened because my sudden excitement level went up, and it was like that moment was erased from my mind. It felt like a dream. I was that happy.' An actor and K-pop idol of the group ZE:A, Yim was a fan of the first season of Squid Game and binged the show in one sitting. When he was cast for season 2 and entered the set, he was overwhelmed with excitement and emotions. He shared in the press conference, 'When [the doll] Young-hee's head actually turned, it was quite an incredible moment. That moment also gave me a chill as it was something I experienced from the perspective of a fan.' Yim enters the game as Myung-gi, a formerly wealthy and successful YouTuber who advised his audience on cryptocurrency investments. After losing his (and several of his followers') fortune in a cryptocurrency scam, he enters the game to pay off his debts and lawsuits and return to his old life. Aside from Squid Game, Yim has starred in films like Boyhood and television series like Tracer and Summer Strike. Lee is no stranger to hit Netflix shows—he famously starred as the antagonist in the widely acclaimed apocalyptic thriller Sweet Home, which lasted for three seasons. In Squid Game, Lee's Gyeong-seok is an 'ordinary man,' he says, who enters the game to provide life-saving treatment for his cancer-stricken child. He could also be seen in next year's South Korean occult supernatural thriller film, Dark Nuns, and the romance drama, Seven O'Clock Breakfast Meeting for the Broken Hearted. In one of the most controversial castings for the series, Park, a cis-gender man, plays Hyun-ju, a transgender woman who enters the game to pay for her gender-affirming surgery. She is a former special forces soldier with invaluable survival skills but deals with prejudice throughout the game. Director Hwang believes that Hyun-ju will be one of the most beloved characters. One of the most popular actors on the Korean stage, Park has appeared in famous productions like The History Boys, Pride, and Two Weddings and a Funeral, earning the nickname 'Theater Idol.' He broke out into television and film as the lead in the 2018 horror movie Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum and the K-drama series My Only One. Park's most recent K-dramas roles were in Netflix's The Glory and Queen of Tears. He can be seen in next year's drama series, The Tyrant's Chef. As a defected North Korean soldier, No Eul left her family behind, including her newborn child, to escape to South Korea. When she is recruited for the games, it first appears that she's been chosen as one of the players, but in a twist of events, No Eul was actually hired to be one of the Pink Guards. Since her acting debut in 2016, Park has been booked and busy with television dramas and films. She has starred in It's Okay Not to Be Okay, Sweet Home, Dali and the Cocky Prince, Celebrity, and A Good Day to be a Dog. She can be seen next in the Netflix film Mantis and the drama In the Net. Lee Seo-hwan is a regular fixture in K-dramas, guest-starring in popular series like Fight for My Way, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Daily Dose of Sunshine, and AppleTV's acclaimed drama Pachinko. The character actor is also a folk singer and actor in the Korean theater scene. He appeared briefly in season 1 of Squid Game as Jung-bae, Gi-hun's friend outside of the game who used to gamble alongside him regularly. By season 2, Jung-bae had fallen further debt, causing him to join the game, to Gi-hun's surprise. However, he tragically dies during the players' rebellion at the end of season 2. Choi plays Thanos, a famous retired rapper who lost all his money after listening to Myung-gi's cryptocurrency advice. He enters the game to pay off his massive debts and does whatever it takes to win. After seeing Myung-gi as a fellow player, Thanos is hell-bent on revenge by brutally tormenting the former YouTuber. But he meets his bloody end at the end of season 2. Best known by his stage name, T.O.P., Choi is a former member of the successful K-pop group BigBang. Since his departure from BigBang last year, Choi has focused on his art collection, acting, and numerous business endeavors, including his wine company T'SPOT. Another familiar face in the Squid Game Universe, Yoo returns to what he thought was a cameo as the Salesman, who recruits desperate players into the game, usually with a few slap-happy rounds of ddakji. (During season 1, viewers were so in awe of him they wanted him to slap them too.) In season 2, we learn more about the character's background, but he doesn't last long. Yoo was surprised with the success of Squid Game as the cameo appearance started as a joke with director Hwang, telling ELLE Korea, 'I didn't expect it to be this big. Somehow, I grew a little more in that worldview, but I still feel like it's someone else's job.' As one of the most famous faces in Korea, Yoo is best known for his roles in the television dramas like Coffee Prince and Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (also known as Goblin), and the films Silenced, The Suspect, Train to Busan, The Age of Shadows, and The Silent Sea. He's also working on the Korean drama Slowly But Intensely. Jung is a fashion model with recent magazine appearances in Korean editions of ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR, W, and Marie Claire. Though she was a contestant on Korea's Next Top Model in 2013, Squid Game marks her official acting debut. In it, she plays Kang Sae-byeok, a North Korean defector hoping to use the game winnings to make a better life for her and her younger brother, who's living in an orphanage. The Netflix series marked a big breakout moment for Jung, who has gone on to win a SAG Award, appear in The Weeknd's 'Out of Time' music video, and get cast in Apple TV+'s Disclaimer series with Cate Blanchett and the A24 film The Governess with Lily-Rose Depp. Prior to Squid Game, Park starred in TV shows such as Prison Playbook and Legend of the Blue Sea. Up next, he'll star in the Korean adaptation of Money Heist. In addition to the success of the new Netflix series, Park also celebrated a personal milestone as a new dad. He and his wife welcomed their first child together, a boy, on Sept. 29, 2021. This year, he starred in another big Netflix series, Money Heist: Korea. Tripathi was born in India and moved to Korea in 2010 to attend the Korea National University of Arts, according to India Times. He made his film debut in 2014's Ode to My Father and landed a number of small roles thereafter. Earlier this year, he also lent his voice to Netflix's The 8th Night. On Instagram, he thanked viewers for their support of Squid Game, writing, 'No words to express my gratitude to the people all over the world, who all are loving and blessing Ali and [Squid Game].' Often called Player 212, the mischievous Han Mi-nyeo is portrayed onscreen by Kim joo-ryoung. The actress' film credits date back to the 2000s, including Memories of Murder (2003) and Plum Blossom (2000), and, later, dramas like Sleepless Night (2012) and Texture of Skin (2007). Like her costars, Kim has shared a handful of behind-the-scenes glimpses from the Squid Game set on Instagram, making those barracks look a lot less miserable.