‘Squid Game’ star Yim Si-wan: ‘Being called a global villain is a compliment’
Yim Si-wan as Myung-gi in "Squid Game" Season 3 / Courtesy of Netflix
Actor Yim Si-wan has risen to global notoriety for his chilling portrayal of Myung-gi in “Squid Game” Season 3, a transformation made possible through his meticulous character analysis and layered performance.
In a recent interview, Yim shared his thoughts on closing a two-year chapter with the Netflix megahit, in which he played a participant who survived brutal rounds of competition in Season 2 and descended into further moral collapse in the final season.
“More than anything, I feel relieved,” he said. “Filming from Season 2 through Season 3 spanned nearly two years, and I finally feel like I can let go of Myung-gi. It’s not just about being hated — it’s a real sense of liberation.”
Though Yim has played villains in past projects such as “Emergency Declaration” and “Unlocked,” he admitted that Myung-gi presented a unique emotional challenge.
“It wasn’t easy to follow the character emotionally. I had to keep summoning him between seasons, and every time promotions came up, I was reminded of him. It was hard to truly let go, until now.”
He recalled bonding with fellow cast members over meals during the shoot — so much so that he gained weight early on.
“Later, when we had fewer dinner gatherings, I started losing weight again. You can even see the difference on screen,” he said. “People kept asking me when Myung-gi would die, but I didn’t want to think about the series anymore once filming ended.”
Initially, Yim saw Myung-gi as a straightforward villain, but “Squid Game” creator Hwang Dong-hyuk pushed for a more human interpretation — a request that sent Yim into constant reassessment.
“Director Hwang said I should explore his humanity, but the moment I leaned into that, I was told it wasn’t quite right either. I was confused the whole time, but I tried to strike a balance.”
On one of the season’s most harrowing moments — when Myung-gi appears to consider sacrificing a baby to survive — Yim offered a grim reading: “He’s not brave or wise. That moment may well reflect his true nature. Ideally, he could have saved both the baby and the man carrying him. But to him, the baby alone was the next best option.”
Myung-gi (Yim Si-wan), right, and Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri) face each other in a scene from “Squid Game” Season 3. Courtesy of Netflix
Yim also expressed deep admiration for his co-stars. Of Lee Jung-jae, he said, “Watching how thoroughly he prepares — never letting his guard down — taught me a lot about responsibility and stamina. He was so impressive.”
He added that Lee Byung-hun once told him he was “an actor who handles what he's given well,” which became a lasting source of motivation.
He also praised rising actress Jo Yu-ri, who played Jun-hee, a character carrying Myung-gi’s child. “She was fearless on set, even as a newcomer. She has huge potential, far more daring than I was at her age.”
As the series progressed, Myung-gi’s increasingly inhumane actions sparked outrage not only in Korea but from viewers around the world.
“I’ve been cursed out globally,” Yim said. “But I take that as a compliment. For now, I think I’ll stay away from villain roles. It’s not that I dislike them, but I don’t want to be boxed in. For those who saw me for the first time through Myung-gi, I’d like to show a different side next.”
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.