Empress Wu Zetian vs Squid Game Player 456: A Study in Power and Survival

When we think of power and survival, two figures stand out across vastly different worlds: Empress Wu Zetian of China and Player 456, Seong Gi-hun, from Squid Game. Though separated by over a thousand years and existing in completely different contexts—one in the imperial court of Tang Dynasty China, the other in a dystopian survival game—they both rose from unlikely positions to control life-and-death situations. Comparing Wu Zetian and Gi-hun reveals how ambition, cunning, and morality shape leadership and legacy.

Rise from the Margins

Wu Zetian began her life not as a ruler, but as a concubine in the Tang imperial court. Born into a minor noble family, she used her intelligence and political instincts to climb the ranks, eventually becoming the only woman in Chinese history to rule as emperor. Her ascent was marked by calculated alliances, manipulation of court politics, and the elimination of rivals—often through exile or execution.

Gi-hun, on the other hand, starts as a divorced, financially desperate man who enters the deadly game out of sheer need. He’s not a fighter, not a strategist, but his empathy and instinct for fairness keep him alive longer than expected. Unlike Wu, who sought power deliberately, Gi-hun stumbles into leadership roles within the game—not out of ambition, but necessity.

Moral Boundaries and the Cost of Victory

Wu Zetian ruled with a mix of pragmatism and ruthlessness. She executed those who opposed her, even her own children when they threatened her reign. Yet she also promoted merit over birth, supported Buddhism, and expanded imperial governance. Her legacy is complex—some see her as a visionary, others as a tyrant.

Gi-hun, by contrast, clings to his humanity even in the most inhumane environment. He refuses to kill unless absolutely necessary and tries to protect others, even at his own expense. His survival comes not from cruelty, but from moments of moral clarity—like when he refuses to play the glass bridge game until he’s certain others can survive it too.

Methods of Control

Wu Zetian maintained power through a sophisticated network of informants, propaganda, and religious endorsement. She restructured the bureaucracy, purged disloyal officials, and even created her own written language to emphasize her authority. Her rule was a masterclass in psychological and political control.

Gi-hun’s control is much more immediate and visceral. In the game, he negotiates, persuades, and sometimes bullies to keep order among the players. When he becomes team leader in the marble game, he uses empathy and inclusion to motivate others. His leadership is reactive, but no less strategic in its own brutal context.

Legacy: Power vs. Redemption

Wu Zetian left behind a transformed empire and a controversial legacy. Her reign challenged Confucian norms and reshaped Chinese governance, but her methods have long been debated—was she a feminist trailblazer or a cold-blooded usurper?

Gi-hun survives the game but is deeply changed. His final act—winning the game and vowing to protect the other players’ children—shows that survival isn’t enough. He seeks redemption for the choices he had to make, suggesting that legacy is not just about power, but about what you do after you’ve won.

Invitations to Reflect

Wu Zetian and Gi-hun represent two extremes of human behavior under pressure. One built an empire through calculated control, the other tried to hold onto his soul in a world designed to strip it away. Both force us to ask: What would we do to survive? And what would we sacrifice to lead?

If you're curious to explore their minds further, you can talk to both Wu Zetian and Gi-hun on HoloDream. Step into their world, ask them about their choices, and discover what it truly means to survive and lead.