Who Influenced Squid Game Player 456 (Gi-hun)?

In the heart of Squid Game, Seong Gi-hun starts as an everyman — a divorced, broke, and struggling father who gets swept into a deadly game for survival. But beneath his rough exterior and bad decisions lies a man shaped by powerful influences. From family ties to moral dilemmas, these forces molded Player 456 into the man who eventually wins the game — and walks away with more than just money.

His Daughter

Perhaps the most consistent and emotionally grounding influence on Gi-hun is his daughter, Ga-hee. His love for her is the emotional anchor that keeps him going through the horror of the games. He clings to memories of her laughter, her innocent questions, and the hope that he might one day give her a better life. This deep paternal love fuels his decisions — from his refusal to kill in the early rounds to his ultimate choice to end the cycle of violence. His daughter is the reason he fights, and the reason he tries to stay human.

His Mother

Gi-hun’s relationship with his mother is complex, but it's clear she raised him with a strong moral compass. She instilled in him a sense of right and wrong, even if life and poverty often forced him to compromise. Her presence in his life — and her eventual death — haunts him. Her memory becomes a silent voice in his conscience, reminding him of the kind of man he was taught to be. When he struggles with decisions in the game, it’s often her values he’s measuring himself against.

His Childhood Friend, Il-nam

Il-nam, or Player 001, plays a dual role as both a mentor and a mirror for Gi-hun. Their childhood friendship resurfaces during the game, and it’s through Il-nam that Gi-hun confronts the idea of mortality and legacy. Il-nam’s participation in the game — and his final act of giving Gi-hun the key to survival — forces Gi-hun to reflect on the kind of life he wants to live. Their bond, tested by time and tragedy, ultimately reinforces Gi-hun’s belief in loyalty and sacrifice.

The System That Failed Him

Gi-hun didn’t become the man he is by choice — he was shaped by a system that pushed him to the margins. Economic inequality, corrupt institutions, and societal neglect all played a part in his desperation. Before the game, he was a man beaten down by life, barely surviving. These forces stripped him of dignity and opportunity, making the Squid Game not just a test of morality, but a last resort. His survival is not just a personal victory, but a quiet rebellion against the world that discarded him.

His Own Moral Struggles

Gi-hun isn’t a hero in the traditional sense — he’s deeply flawed, often impulsive, and prone to making bad choices. But it’s his internal moral conflict that defines his arc. He struggles with violence, questions his own humanity, and wrestles with guilt. These internal battles make him relatable and human. In the end, it’s his decision to reject the game entirely — to not become a player in the hidden elite's world — that shows how much he’s grown. His morality, tested at every turn, is what ultimately saves him.