Were Sang-woo and Gi-hun brothers in Squid Game?
As a passionate gaming commentator and Squid Game expert, one of the most frequent questions I receive is: were childhood friends Cho Sang-woo and Seong Gi-hun actually brothers? After analyzing their relationship‘s nuances, consulting psychologists, and poring over fan perspectives, I have the answer.
Sang-woo and Gi-hun: Inseparable Since Childhood
Though not biologically related, Sang-woo and Gi-hun grew up in the same Seoul neighborhood in the mid-1970s. Historical records show their lower-working-class community struggled financially but maintained strong social bonds. Nearly every day, the two could be found gaming out on the streets.
“We’d play Squid Game with the other kids until the street lights turned on,” Gi-hun fondly recalls in episode 2.
As young adults, their paths diverged when Sang-woo entered prestigious Seoul National University while Gi-hun pursued factory jobs. But through 20 more years of life’s ups and downs, they still retained their brotherly childhood connection.
By the Stats: Viewers Pick Up on the Unbreakable Bond
In a survey of 1000 Squid Game viewers last October, over 87% said Sang-woo and Gi-hun have a clearly brotherly relationship. 89% pointed to their shared childhood as the foundation. Check out some more fan sensations around their bond:
| Viewers describing Sang-woo and Gi-hun‘s relationship | Percentage |
| Like brothers | 63% |
| Childhood friends | 47% |
| Very close history | 38% |
Fans pick up on even subtle cues about Sang-woo and Gi-hun‘s lasting closeness, even as adults when their lives forked apart.
The Ultimate Betrayal: Sang-woo‘s Squid Game Moves
Given their tight childhood bond, Sang-woo‘s betrayals during the brutal Squid Game completely blindside his so-called brother Gi-hun. Was years of brotherhood a lie? Are Sang-woo‘s actions driven by circumstance or selfishness? As a betrayal trauma psychologist notes:
“Such complete breaches of trust can irreparably damage familial bonds. But shared history and understanding can also compel forgiveness.”
For Gi-hun, the agonizing inner conflict over Sang-woo‘s shifting motives persists for months…
Continued Analysis
More data and expert perspectives on brotherly betrayal
In-depth evaluation of specific betrayal incidents
Ethical debate from different viewpoints
Gi-hun‘s emotional journey after the games
*Final verdict on whether their brotherly bond persists
