Would you risk your life in a child's game to win a literal fortune?" The phenomenally successful Korean drama (opens in new tab) "Squid Game," a brutal competition for 456 billion Korean won (about $38 million), captivated viewers. The nine-episode Korean drama (opens in new tab) debuted at No. 1 on Netflix's Top 10, where millions of viewers watched an all-star cast of Korean actors make allies and enemies through deadly versions of Red Light, Green Light, and other children's games They follow them as they make their own. For fans who have been enthralled by the talented cast throughout the series, here's everything we know about the characters and actors in Squid Game.

Down on his luck, Gihoon is a gambling addict who works as a driver and lives with his elderly mother. He joins the game hoping to make enough money to keep his 10-year-old daughter from emigrating to the United States with her mother and stepfather. In Korea, he is best known for his roles in the films Il Mare (2000) (opens in a new tab), which was later remade as The Lake House starring Keanu Reeves (opens in a new tab), and The Face Reader (2013).

Gihoon's childhood friend Sang Woo is a neighborhood legend for attending one of Korea's top universities. An investment banker, he later stole money from his clients and lost it in the stock market. To avoid arrest and keep his mother's house and company, he needs to win the game.39-year-old Park is best known for his lead role in Prison Playbook (2017), one of the most popular K-dramas of all time.

Saebyeok is a North Korean defector who works as a pickpocket while her brother lives in an orphanage. She needs enough money to help her mother escape the North and buy a house for her family. The Squid Game is Jung's first screen role; the 27-year-old model previously appeared in Season 4 of Korea's Next Top Model.

Joon-ho, a police officer, finds a game card while searching his missing brother's apartment. He then infiltrates the game as a security guard to find his brother.30-year-old Wee is an up-and-coming film and drama actor who has appeared in the horror film Gongjam Asylum (2018) and the romantic drama Something in the Rain (2018). He also played a serial killer in the film Midnight this year.

Il-nam, the oldest contestant, gets to know Gihoon early on. Diagnosed by doctors as having a tumor in his brain and playing to support his family, the 76-year-old Oh has mainly played monks in his acting career, including the films "The Little Monk" (2003) and "Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter" (2003).

Gangster Dox joined the game to pay off a gambling debt after angering a crime boss. He is the show's closest protagonist to the player and has a history with Saebyeok; the 43-year-old Ho has had an impressive career as a K-drama actor, playing multiple roles this year. These include "Beyond Evil," in which he played a similarly cold-blooded businessman, and "Racket Boys," in which he did a 180-degree turn as the coach of a boys' badminton team in episodes 10 through 12.

Minyo is a mysterious player who will do anything, including seduce and beg, to win a game. We don't know why she plays badminton, but the 45-year-old Kim has played supporting roles in hit dramas and films such as "SKY Castle" (open in new tab) and "Mr. Sunshine" In the 2012 film "Sleepless Night," she played one half of a married couple going about their daily lives, She played the female lead. She has also worked with "Squid Game" director Hwang Dong-hyuk on "Silenced" (2011).

Ali, a kind-hearted man, came to Korea from Pakistan to work with his wife and baby son. After being scammed by his employer, he plans to use his winnings to support his family and send some money to his parents and brother back home. Indian-born Anupam is another breakout actor in Squid Game. He had previously played only minor roles, including a role in the Netflix film "Space Sweepers" (2021).

The enigmatic Ji-young takes the side of Saebyeok when they team up in a tug-of-war. Almost silent, but quick to confront the hypocrisy of the other players, the 27-year-old Lee has worked steadily in film and television since 2010. Before "Squid Game," her most notable role was in the sci-fi drama "365: Repeat the Year."

During the series, the Doctor, whose name will not be revealed, has an inside man who tells him in advance what the game is going to look like. He uses this advantage and teams up with Dox and his gang to protect himself. Yoo got his first prominent role in "SKY Castle" in 2018 and has appeared in several dramas since. He also co-starred with Lee Jung-jae in the political drama "Chief of Staff."

Lee plays a masked front man who takes care of the day-to-day operations. He keeps watch from above in his ultra-luxury apartment and communicates with the upper echelons of the warped operation. The 51-year-old actor has been one of Korea's most successful actors for decades, appearing in five of the top 50 highest-grossing Korean films of all time; he has appeared in American films such as the G.I. Joe series and Terminator Genisys and was the first Korean to win an Academy Award for He was a presenter. In the hit film "Train to Busan" (2016) (open in new tab), he played a businessman and his father trying to escape the zombie apocalypse on a bullet train; in "The Guardian" he played the titular immortal goblin: one of the most successful K-dramas, "The Lonely Giant God" (2016) (new tab (open in new tab)), in which he played the titular immortal goblin. As for how he ended up in "Squid Game," he appeared in Hwang Dong-hyuk's 2011 film "Silence."