South Korean star returns as Player 333 in final season of global hit series, explores flawed humanity and eyes future in Indian cinema
South Korean actor Yim Si-wan joins the final season of Squid Game without reading the script, calling his character deeply human. The star expresses a strong desire to act in India.
South Korean singer-actor Yim Si-wan is stepping back into the spotlight this month as he reprises his role in the final season of Netflix’s global phenomenon Squid Game. Portraying Myung Gi, also known as Player 333—a disgraced crypto influencer—Si-wan’s return to the dark and gripping universe of survival games adds a layered, morally complex character to the show’s ensemble.
In a candid conversation with HT City, the 36-year-old actor revealed that he accepted the role without even glancing at the script. “I didn’t read the script, I just knew I had to be in Squid Game,” he said, pointing to the cultural significance of the series and its emotional weight.
Si-wan describes his character, Myung Gi, as someone “straddling the line between good and evil.” The role marks a stark deviation from traditional villainy, offering instead a deeply flawed man whose crypto schemes collapse, causing catastrophic financial losses to his followers and himself.
“As the show progressed, he felt very human, someone who was incapable of making the right choices due to his greed. It’s fair to say that he may not be purely evil but a foolish person,” Si-wan said of the character.
Known for his immersive method acting, the former K-pop idol turned film and drama star shared how difficult it is for him to detach from his roles. “I’m not the type who can easily switch on and off — that is, go in and out of character. I carry my screen characters with me to a certain extent,” he explained, highlighting the emotional intensity he brings to his work.
With a career that has steadily earned critical acclaim in contemporary Korean cinema, Si-wan remains open to international collaborations. When asked about the possibility of working in India, his enthusiasm was unmistakable.
“Going forward, I wish to continue to wrestle with my characters, make every effort to portray them diligently, and continue developing myself. One day, I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to perform in India,” he said.
As Squid Game’s final season prepares to air, Yim Si-wan’s portrayal of a morally conflicted player is expected to add depth to the series’ ongoing exploration of human desperation, greed, and redemption. And for fans of both Korean drama and international cinema, his journey might just be getting started.
