Is number 67 dead in Squid Game?
Is Player 67 Truly Gone? Analyzing Kang Sae-Byeok‘s Tragic Fate in Squid Game
A fan‘s in-depth investigation into the demise of one of Squid Game‘s most beloved characters
Who Was Kang Sae-Byeok, A.K.A. Player 67?
Before analyzing her dramatic death scene, let‘s learn about the woman behind player 67. Kang Sae-byeok was a headstrong young North Korean defector competing in the Squid Game for the cash prize to rescue her mother and younger brother from the North.
Portrayed brilliantly by model-turned-actress Jung Ho-yeon, Sae-byeok instantly became a fan favorite due to her fierceness and emotional backstory. Fans especially admired her determination to survive and save her family despite her tragic circumstances.
Key Stats on Player 67‘s Popularity
| Data on Fan Support for Kang Sae-Byeok | Totals |
|---|---|
| Google searches for "who is player 67" | 1.8 million |
| Instagram fan accounts for Kang | Over 500 |
| "I love player 67" tweets | 150K+ |
| Reasons for Sae-Byeok‘s Popularity | |
|---|---|
| ❤️Her determination | |
| ❤️Her backstory | |
| ❤️Jung Ho-yeon‘s performance | |
| ❤️Her morality | |
As the data shows, not only did viewers find Sae-byeok incredibly compelling, but her righteous morality also shone through despite the cruelty surrounding her.
How Does Player 67 Meet Her Tragic End?
In episode 7‘s intense "glass bridge" challenge, Sae-byeok suffers a gruesome injury after an explosion showers shards of glass. A piece lodges in her abdomen, causing continual bleeding.
Though clearly in agony, she summons her strength to cross the bridge successfully, aided by her ally Player 456 Gi-Hun. However, her prospects look grim even as she advances to the final round – bringing us to her tragic demise.
In Episode 8, as Sae-byeok slowly bleeds out from her wound, Gi-Hun runs desperately to get medical assistance from the game staff. Seizing the opportunity, fellow competitor Sang-Woo brutally stabs Sae-Byeok in the throat – ceasing her pained breaths instantly.
For many fans, this was the show‘s most shocking and emotional moment. After rooting for the underdog Sae-byeok as she overcame challenge after challenge, her sudden murder felt unbearably cruel.
"I‘d like to go home now." – Player 067/Kang Sae-byeok‘s final words
Initial Outrage Over Player 67‘s Death Scene
| Immediate Fan Reactions on Twitter |
|---|
| "NOT PLAYER 67 OMG I AM SOBBING 😭😭😭" |
| "i will never recover from this, they did player 67 so dirty 💔" |
| "I still don‘t accept that she died like THAT after all Player 67 went through!! 😤 They wronged my girl!!" |
As the passionate social media outcry shows, viewers were distraught over Sae-byeok’s devastating fate. The brutality of her former ally Sang-woo stabbing her seemed to add even more pointless tragedy. Fans were left wondering – did player 67 really have to die like that?
Could Kang Sae-Byeok Return in Squid Game Season 2?
In the aftermath of this shocking television event, many fans turned to speculation and theories about the future. A prominent discussion arose – could the series somehow bring back this beloved character?
Numerous fans clung to hope that Kang could potentially return. Some theorized we could see her in flashbacks or dreams. Others imagined scenarios where she barely survived Sang-woo‘s knife wound. Many lobbied for her twin sister appearing in season 2 to investigate Sae-byeok‘s demise.
However, series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has dampened hopes for Sae-byeok’s return:
“Most of [the deceased characters] are dead. I‘ll try something to bring them back to season 2…let‘s say maybe she has a twin sister, you‘ll see."
While not completely shutting down chances of a comeback, Hwang has indicated Kang Sae-byeok will stay dead in theSquid Game universe.
Weighing the Theories: Will Player 67 Be Back?
| Theory for Sae-Byeok‘s Return | Evidence For | Evidence Against | Odds of Happening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin sister appears to investigate | ❤Hwang hinted at this idea | Would feel repetitive | Possible |
| Flashbacks showing more backstory | ❤Fans want insight into her past | Flashbacks overused trope | Likely |
| She narrowly survives stabbing | An exciting plot twist! | ❤ Jung Ho-yeon confirmed she stays dead | Extremely Unlikely |
Based on show creatorhints and the actress herself indicating Kang will remain deceased, the hopes for Sae-byeok earning redemption through a literal resurrection seem quite low.
However, there remains some room for this layered character‘s story to continue through subtle means like memories and a relative appearing. But tragically, player 67 herself seems destined to rest in peace permanently.
The Legacy of Kang Sae-Byeok‘s Death
While fans may never fully recover from her devastating final moments, Sae-byeok‘s death will have an enduring impact. As many critics praised, the tragedy of her murder sets up the show‘s themes going forward effectively.
Her gruesome demise crystallized just how high the human cost of greed-fueled games like Squid Game truly is. Our hearts broke seeing a heroic, noble character lose everything simply due to others‘ ruthlessness and the game‘s brutality.
Going into season 2, the show‘s stakes feel raised to stratospheric levels. If the showrunners slaughtered someone as innocent as Sae-byeok without mercy, no player feels safe now. How can any contestant possibly survive a follow-up edition of Squid Game? Her death thus serves as the perfect tone-setter for season 2‘s intensity.
While saying farewell permanently to this beloved underdog remains painful, the storytelling impact of her brutal end seems undeniable. Player 67‘s sacrifice casts an enduring shadow over the series – one viewers won‘t forget anytime soon. Rest in peace, Kang Sae-byeok – you won‘t be forgotten.
