Squid Game 3's most hated character is, surprisingly, a beloved K-drama star no one expected: ‘Worst in history'

Indian Express

4 hours ago

If there was one character fans had hoped would take a transformational turn, it was player 333, who many believed would be the game-changer and join forces with Gi Hun to flip the system. Turns out he did change, but in the worst possible direction. Im Si Wan's character has now surpassed every level of hate in viewers' minds, overtaking even the previous betrayers. Fans are frustrated, especially since the show's tagline, 'how low humanity can sink', seems to have been written just for this character, someone who was ready to kill his own child for prize money, right after his ex jumped to her death, disgusted by him.
Im Si Wan, with his series of selfish, manipulative, and downright ruthless actions through the game, has easily become the most frustrating part of the entire season. But his Squid Game role also marks a major shift in his career, where until now, he had mostly ridden on the fame of playing good-boy roles in K-dramas. He's known for portraying kind, warm-hearted characters, barely speaking yet managing to express layers of emotion, which even earned him the nickname Mal Nun Gwang ('innocent-eyed lunatic'). So, for a section of fans, it was tough to watch him play villain. Especially the moment he tried to kill his own baby, that, for many viewers, was the final straw.
Also read: Squid Game 3 ending: 7 burning questions answered in Netflix thriller finale; future possibilities explored
'I know it's just a show, but oh my god, why is it so hard watching him do such a ruthless job?' one person commented. 'The fallout of Seong Gi Hun's plan was devastating. The final games are more brutal than ever. Some of our favourite characters give in to their most animalistic, violent instincts. No one's safe,' another wrote. 'I have never hated a character in my entire life as much as player 333. He disgusted me. Sorry, I'm Si Wan—you weren't meant for this role,' said a third.
#SquidGame3 #player333
Bro literally surpassed every existing character to become the worst character in the history of squid game. pic.twitter.com/9vvbvXOm9w
— Ruhiiii💫 (@ruhipreeran) June 27, 2025
Crypto Scam Background: Im Si Wan joined Squid Game in Season 2, and his character was introduced as a former YouTuber who used to scam the public with his crypto game. This was the reason why, in the first place, his girlfriend Jun Hee (Player 222) and Thanos (Player 230) lost a massive amount of money and ended up in the game. In the second season, Jun Hee got pregnant, with Myung Gi vowing to protect both.
Murder of Hyun Ju (Player 120)
In Season 3, Jun Hee was left disgusted and lost all faith in Myung Gi after he killed Hyun Ju in the hide-and-seek game. Hyun Ju had helped Jun Hee deliver the baby with elderly lady Geum Jaa, but was met with a tragic and betrayed end. Myung Gi's action was seen as cold-blooded and opportunistic, eliminating a strong character.
Also read: Squid Game Season 3 ending explained: The truth about Gi Hun's fate, the mystery woman, and all survivors
Following Hyun Ju's death, Myung Gi showed little to no remorse. He did the same when Jun Hee jumped to her death while trying to save Gi Hun and the baby. In the last game, when only Gi Hun, the baby, and Myung Gi were left, Myung Gi, despite being the baby's biological father, was ready to throw the baby off the platform just to ensure his win. This act sealed his status as truly deplorable.
Though many were left disappointed by how the show ended, hoping for a happy closure, some believe it stayed true to its theme, raw and unsettling in the best way. The show has always focused on extreme capitalism and how it strips away human values, turning people into commodities for the rich to enjoy their misery. Gi-hun's final sacrifice — choosing to die to save the baby (Player 222), became the ultimate act of defiance against this system. His last words, 'We are not horses. We are humans. Humans are…' were aimed directly at the VIPs who saw the players as nothing more than toys for their amusement.