Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Squid Game.
Netflix’s Squid Game gave fans an unforgettable competition that forces players to turn on each other to survive life-or-death games. It’s not surprising that the characters on the show go through drastic transformations as the twisted contest progresses.
The way the players change is most obviously seen by looking back at the first and last lines on the show. Contestants like Gi-hun and Sang-woo have had to compromise their principles and do horrific things to survive. For most of these characters, their last lines in the first season are truly their final words, unless they appear in flashbacks in future episodes.
Jang Deok-su:
“You Little S***t!” – “You Goddamn B***h!”
![Squid Game: Each Main Character’s First & Last Lines](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Deok-su-and-Mi-nyeo-in-Squid-Game.jpg)
Deok-su is often considered as a villain in the K-drama, and for a good reason. Both his first and last lines underscore how horrible he can be, especially towards women. When he unexpectedly sees Sae-byeok in the dormitory, his first reaction is to curse at and beat her because of a misunderstanding they had in the past.
His last quote is directed towards Mi-nyeo, as she fulfills her promise of exacting revenge on him. It’s satisfying to watch him reveal himself as the coward he really is. As an added bonus, Mi-nyeo’s brave act stops him from pushing others to their deaths during the glass stepping stones game.
Hwang In-ho:
“This Is The Front Man Speaking.” – “Just Get On That Plane. It’s For Your Own Good.”
![The Front Man wearing his mask and jacket as he walks through a hallway in Squid Game.](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Front-Man-in-Squid-Game.jpg)
In-ho doesn’t say a word until the middle of the first episode, as he’s generally an enigmatic character who ensures that the competition runs smoothly. Fans later realize that when he says his first quote on the phone, he’s likely talking to the VIPs before the start of the “Red Light, Green Light” game.
He’s loyal to Il-nam until the very end, even shooting his own brother to protect the competition. His last line also happens to be said over a call, this time with an enraged Gi-hun. Audiences will hopefully learn more about the ex-winner’s motivations for going as far as he does to keep the contest rolling.
Oh Il-nam:
“Fifty… Fifty-Two… Fifty-Five, Fifty-Six. And Then, There Are Those… Stop Talking To Me Or I Lose Count.” – “I Know That I’m Not Going To Have As Much Fun Watching As Playing.”
![Il-nam wearing a suit and talking in Squid Game.](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Squid-Game-Il-Nam-VIP-suit-ending.jpg)
It’s not clear which things Il-nam was truthful about throughout the course of the competition. If anything he admits to Gi-hun is to believed, then In-nam’s first quote may have actually been him legitimately trying to follow his doctor’s advice.
It’s his last line that rings true, though, as it provides audiences with a twisted but credible explanation about what the point of the contest is in the first place. He says this to a perplexed In-ho in a flashback after the old man’s death. Even the Front Man doesn’t seem to fully grasp Il-nam’s desire to be part of the dangerous games.
Cho Sang-woo:
“Well, I Don’t Believe You One Bit. You Got That?” – “My Mother, Go Help Her. You Have To Help Her.”
![Cho Sang-woo among a crowd in Squid Game.](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Squid-Game-Park-Hae-soo-----------as-Cho-Sang-woo.jpg)
Most fans would agree that Sang-woo is one of Squid Game‘s smartest characters. Even his first lines emphasize how critical he is of every situation, as he doesn’t shy away from questioning the intimidating guards.
In the end, despite all the heinous things he has done to reach the final round, what truly matters to him comes to the surface. Sang-woo may not be a good person, but he’s trapped in a bad situation like every other player is and does whatever he has to in order to fix his reputation and help his mom.
Han Mi-nyeo:
“Mister, Please. Listen, I’m So Sorry. I Swear I Will Pay What I Owe.” – “You Coward. Deok-Su, I Need You To Know You’ve Got Such A Tiny D**k.”
![Mi-Nyeo from Squid Game, arms around Jang and wide-eyed.](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Squid-Game-Player-212-Han-Mi-nyeo-Kim-Joo-ryoung.jpg)
Mi-nyeo is a character who constantly surprises viewers with her decisions. Her first line on the show implies that she’s just as scared as everyone else. She even begs the guards to let her out because she has a child, which is something that’s never confirmed by the show.
Over the course of the competition, fans learn that she’s actually more courageous compared to other players like Deok-su. He’s terrified when he realizes she’s determined to exact revenge. Mi-nyeo’s amusing personality shines through in the dire situation, as she even manages to insult him one last time before pulling him down with her.
Ji-yeong:
“What Do You Want?” – “Thank You For Playing With Me.”
![Ji-yeong slightly smiling as she stands next so Sae-byeok.](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Squid-Game-Ji-yeong-marbles-game.jpg)
When Ji-yeong is first introduced, her snarky line makes her seem like a cold person who is more annoyed than scared of their situation. It’s never clarified why Sae-byeok gravitates towards her when they’re inviting people for the tug of war round, but it’s a decision that benefits her during the marbles game.
The most selfless act on Squid Game happens when Ji-yeong loses a game on purpose so that Sae-byeok could live. She reveals details about her tragic past and explains that Sae-byeok has more reasons to win. Her tear-jerking last quote is an unforgettable one that highlights how much her friendship with Sae-byeok means to her.
Abdul Ali:
“Hey! Which Games Are We Playing Here?” – “Sang-Woo, Where Are You? Sang-Woo? Sang-Woo, Hello? I’m Done With This Side. Sang-Woo!”
![Abdul Ali looks angrily in front of him in the Netflix show Squid Game.](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Squid-Game-Tripathi-Anupam-as-Abdul-Ali.jpg)
Most viewers likely don’t even remember Ali’s first line, as he raises a question like several others do when they meet the guards in the dormitory. He goes far beyond just being another face in the crowd throughout the competition, though, as he’s portrayed as a loyal and caring friend.
Unfortunately, Ali’s trusting nature also leads to his heartbreaking death in Squid Game. He believes Sang-woo’s lies about getting out of the game together. His last words are tinged with desperation and hope that slowly turns into a gutting realization when he understands what Sang-woo has done.
Hwang Jun-ho:
“Who Was That? Was He Drunk?” – “In-Ho, Why?”
![Jun-ho aims his gun against a blue sky and ocean in the distance in the Netflix show Squid Game.](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Squid-game-Jun-ho-gun.jpg)
Like the other officers in the precinct, Jun-ho dismisses Gi-hun’s concerns about a wild game and chalks it up to him being drunk. He does manage to remember what the card the protagonist left looks like, which eventually helps him track down the location of the competition.
He learns the gruesome inner workings on the island, which only strengthens his resolve to find his missing brother. It’s almost too painful to see the shock and confusion on his face when In-ho removes his mask and shoots him. He never takes his questioning eyes away from his brother as he falls off of the cliff.
Kang Sae-byeok:
“You Took More From Me Than Whatever I Might Possibly Owe.” – “I Think I Wanna Go. I’d Like To Go Home Now.”
![Kang sae-byeok stands between two guards in Squid Game.](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Sae-byeok-injured-in-Squid-Game.jpg)
Sae-byeok is one of the most likable characters on the show, in large part thanks to how much of a badass she is during the competition. She doesn’t let players like Deok-su intimidate her, which is immediately obvious with her first line that’s said while the gangster is poised to beat her up.
It’s easy to see the stark contrast between her brave first quote and her final words. After entrusting Gi-hun with her brother, she knows that she doesn’t have much time left. The fear in her eyes is obvious as she continues to bleed out and her last line only makes the entire scene more heartbreaking.
Seong Gi-hun:
“In My Town, We Had A Game Called The ‘Squid Game.’” – “It Wasn’t A Dream. I Can’t Forgive You For Everything You’re Doing.”
![Gi-hun, with his hair dyed red and in a business suit, walks down an airport hallway in Squid Game.](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Squid-Game-Gi-hun-final-red.jpg)
Gi-hun’s first few lines on the show also happen to be a reference to the titular and fatal squid game that he plays with Sang-woo towards the end. It’s a brilliant introduction that catches fans off guard, especially those who have no idea how violent the game turns out to be.
The protagonist’s journey from his first quote to his last draws attention to how much he has changed because of the brutal competition. The game Sang-woo and Gi-hun used to play as kids is far from the traumatic version they go through on the island. His experience in the competition has emboldened him to be uncharacteristically fearless and determined to end the sick contest. Fans will have to wait and see exactly how he’s going to manage to do this in a potential second season.