The Shocking Betrayal: How a Beloved K-Drama Star Became ‘Squid Game 3’s Most Hated Character
Fans of Netflix’s brutal phenomenon, *Squid Game*, had high hopes for Player 333 in the highly anticipated third season. Many envisioned this enigmatic figure, portrayed by the usually adored K-drama star Im Si Wan, as a potential ally for Seong Gi Hun, someone who might finally disrupt the sinister games from within. Yet, the shocking reality proved far more grim. Im Si Wan’s character didn’t just change; he spiraled into a depths of depravity that left viewers utterly disgusted, arguably surpassing every villain the series has ever introduced.
Im Si Wan’s Unprecedented Transformation: From ‘Innocent-Eyed Lunatic’ to Ruthless Villain
For years, Im Si Wan has cultivated an image as a quintessential “good boy” in the Korean drama landscape. Renowned for his nuanced portrayal of kind, warm-hearted characters, often conveying profound emotion with minimal dialogue, he even earned the affectionate moniker “Mal Nun Gwang” (innocent-eyed lunatic) from his devoted fanbase. His casting in *Squid Game 3* promised a dramatic shift, but few anticipated the sheer ruthlessness he would embody as Player 333, also known as Lee Myung Gi. This stark contrast made his manipulative and heartless actions all the more jarring and frustrating for a global audience accustomed to his benevolent on-screen presence.
The Genesis of Despair: Lee Myung Gi’s Dark Past and Present
Lee Myung Gi’s introduction in *Squid Game* Season 2 hinted at his morally ambiguous nature. Revealed as a disgraced former YouTuber who built a fortune scamming the public with a fraudulent crypto scheme, his past actions directly led to the financial ruin of others, including his girlfriend, Jun Hee (Player 222), and Thanos (Player 230). Their desperation, fueled by his deceit, inevitably funneled them into the deadly arena of the games. While Myung Gi initially vowed to protect Jun Hee and their unborn child, this facade of concern quickly crumbled under the relentless pressure of the competition.
A Trail of Heartbreak: The Betrayal of Allies
Season 3 cemented Lee Myung Gi’s status as a truly detestable figure through a series of chilling betrayals. One particularly shocking moment involved the brutal murder of Hyun Ju (Player 120) during a treacherous hide-and-seek game. Hyun Ju had, moments before, bravely assisted Jun Hee in delivering her baby with the help of the elderly Geum Jaa. Myung Gi’s cold-blooded act, driven purely by opportunistic self-preservation, eliminated a vital character and left viewers aghast. His subsequent lack of remorse for Hyun Ju’s death, or for Jun Hee’s tragic suicide as she sacrificed herself trying to save Gi Hun and their child, painted a grim portrait of a man devoid of empathy.
The Unforgivable Act: A Father’s Ultimate Betrayal
The ultimate nadir of Myung Gi’s character arc arrived in the final, harrowing game. With only Gi Hun, the innocent baby, and himself remaining, Myung Gi contemplated, then actively attempted, to throw his own biological child off the platform to secure his victory. This monstrous act, a desperate grasp for the prize money at the cost of unimaginable cruelty, solidified his position as “the worst character in the history of *Squid Game*,” a sentiment widely echoed across social media platforms like Twitter. For many, this single, horrifying moment was the definitive “final straw.”
Viewer Outcry: “He Disgusted Me”
The audience’s reaction to Player 333 was immediate and visceral. Online forums and social media exploded with a collective outpouring of anger and disappointment. “I know it’s just a show, but oh my god, why is it so hard watching him do such a ruthless job?” one fan lamented. Another Twitter user simply stated, “Bro literally surpassed every existing character to become the worst character in the history of squid game.” The struggle to reconcile Im Si Wan’s typical endearing roles with this abhorrent portrayal became a central theme in discussions, with many expressing how profoundly “disgusted” they were by Lee Myung Gi’s actions.
Embodying the Horrors of Capitalism: Gi Hun’s Powerful Counterpoint
Despite the intense frustration, Player 333’s horrifying trajectory served a crucial narrative purpose. *Squid Game* has consistently explored the grim realities of extreme capitalism, illustrating how it can strip away human dignity and values, reducing individuals to mere commodities for the entertainment of the wealthy VIPs. Lee Myung Gi’s character became the chilling embodiment of this theme – a man willing to sacrifice all moral bounds for financial gain.
In stark contrast, Seong Gi Hun’s ultimate sacrifice – his choice to die to save the vulnerable baby (Player 222) – emerged as a profound act of defiance against the system’s dehumanizing grip. His powerful final words, “We are not horses. We are humans. Humans are…”, resonated as a direct challenge to those who viewed the players as mere playthings, a poignant reminder that even in the face of such monstrous depravity, humanity can still find moments of profound selflessness.
