Hey everyone! Let's dive deep into the intense world of Squid Game, specifically focusing on the relationships that tugged at our heartstrings. One of the most burning questions for fans has got to be: who was Seong Gi-hun's best friend in season 1? It’s a question that hits differently because, in a game designed to pit people against each other, genuine connection is a rare and precious commodity. Gi-hun, our lovable gambling addict protagonist, went through an absolute rollercoaster of emotions and ethical dilemmas. He started the game needing money, but by the end, he was fighting for something much bigger. His journey is riddled with moments where he had to choose between his own survival and the well-being of others, and his friendships, or what passed for them, played a crucial role in shaping those decisions. We saw him form bonds, break them, and grapple with betrayal. The very premise of the games forces contestants to view each other as obstacles, making any form of true camaraderie seem almost impossible. Yet, Gi-hun, with his inherently good-natured (though flawed) personality, managed to forge connections that were tested to their absolute limits. This exploration will delve into who Gi-hun interacted with most closely, who showed him kindness, and ultimately, who could be considered his truest ally in the deadly arena. We’ll dissect the nuances of these relationships, looking at the motivations behind their actions and the impact they had on Gi-hun's overarching narrative. So, grab your snacks, settle in, and let's figure out who really stood by Gi-hun when it mattered most in that horrifying first season.

The Complex Bonds of Seong Gi-hun

When we talk about Seong Gi-hun's best friend in Squid Game season 1, it's not as simple as pointing to one single person without a second thought. Gi-hun, played brilliantly by Lee Jung-jae, is a character who, despite his personal failings, possesses a deeply empathetic core. This core allows him to connect with others, even in the brutal environment of the games. His primary relationships are forged out of necessity, shared desperation, and fleeting moments of humanity. The very nature of the competition, where a single winner takes all and the rest perish, creates an environment of intense paranoia and distrust. Every alliance is fragile, every act of kindness can be a trap. Yet, Gi-hun consistently tries to find the good in people and build something resembling a support system. His most prominent connections are with Kang Sae-byeok, the North Korean defector, and Cho Sang-woo, his childhood friend and former classmate. These two represent different facets of Gi-hun's own struggles and moral compass. Sang-woo, the brilliant but ethically compromised individual, embodies the path of ruthless pragmatism that Gi-hun sometimes flirts with but ultimately rejects. Sae-byeok, on the other hand, showcases resilience, quiet strength, and a desperate yearning for a better future, mirroring Gi-hun's own desire to escape his miserable circumstances and care for his family. The game masters, in their diabolical wisdom, ensure that these bonds are constantly tested, forcing contestants to make impossible choices that reveal their true characters and the depth of their allegiances. Gi-hun's journey isn't just about surviving the games; it's about retaining his humanity in the face of unimaginable cruelty, and his relationships are the primary vehicle for this internal struggle. The question of who his 'best friend' is becomes less about a title and more about understanding who Gi-hun chose to trust and rely on, and who, in turn, offered him genuine solidarity amidst the carnage. We see him form a particular kinship with the elderly player, Oh Il-nam, initially seeing him as a vulnerable old man to protect, only for that relationship to take a devastating turn. Each interaction shapes Gi-hun, forcing him to confront his own values and the price of survival. The dynamics are so intricate because they reflect real-world struggles – poverty, desperation, moral compromise – magnified to a deadly extreme. Gi-hun's innate kindness is his greatest strength and his greatest vulnerability, making his search for genuine connection in this bloodbath all the more compelling.

The Unlikely Ally: Kang Sae-byeok

When considering Seong Gi-hun's best friend in Squid Game season 1, the character of Kang Sae-byeok, player 067, emerges as a strong contender. Despite her stoic exterior and guarded nature, Sae-byeok develops a profound and unspoken understanding with Gi-hun. Initially, their interactions are minimal, driven by the necessity of the games. However, as the stakes get higher and the contestants are whittled down, Gi-hun consistently shows kindness and empathy towards Sae-byeok, recognizing her vulnerability and her fierce determination to reunite with her family. He doesn't see her as just another competitor but as a fellow human being trapped in an impossible situation. One of the most pivotal moments highlighting their bond is during the Marbles game. Sae-hun, despite her own desperate need to survive, shows compassion towards Gi-hun, and he, in turn, risks his own game by ensuring she has a chance to win against her chosen opponent. This mutual respect and shared sense of humanity in a world designed to strip it away are foundational to their connection. Gi-hun often finds himself defending Sae-byeok, whether it's from the predatory intentions of other players or the harsh realities of the game itself. He offers her food, shares what little he has, and even goes out of his way to protect her interests when possible. Sae-byeok, though less outwardly expressive, reciprocates this loyalty in subtle but significant ways. She trusts Gi-hun more than most other players, confiding in him about her family and her dreams of a better life. Her quiet strength and unwavering focus on her goal resonate with Gi-hun's own desire to escape his debt-ridden life and care for his daughter. The tragedy of her fate, particularly her death during the penultimate game, leaves a significant impact on Gi-hun, underscoring the loss of one of the few genuine connections he made. Her resilience in the face of extreme adversity, coupled with her quiet acts of kindness towards Gi-hun, makes her a compelling candidate for his closest confidante and, arguably, his best friend within the deadly confines of the games. The scenes where Gi-hun is left to deal with the aftermath of her death are a testament to the depth of their bond, showcasing his grief and his renewed determination to see justice done.

The Complicated History: Cho Sang-woo

Another individual who shares a significant connection with Seong Gi-hun is Cho Sang-woo, player 218. Their relationship is perhaps the most complex and heartbreaking of the season, adding layers of dramatic tension to Gi-hun's journey. Sang-woo, as Gi-hun's childhood friend and former classmate, represents a deeply intertwined past that the games cruelly exploit. Gi-hun views Sang-woo as the golden boy, the one who made it out of their impoverished neighborhood and achieved success. This initial perception fuels Gi-hun's respect and even admiration for Sang-woo, making him someone Gi-hun feels he can rely on. In the early stages of the game, Sang-woo's intelligence and strategic thinking make him seem like a natural leader and a reliable ally. He often helps Gi-hun navigate the brutal logic of the games, using his intellect to devise plans and overcome challenges. However, as the games progress, Sang-woo's desperation and his willingness to compromise his morals for survival become increasingly apparent. His brilliant mind starts to be used for ruthless self-preservation, often at the expense of others, including Gi-hun. This creates a moral dichotomy for Gi-hun, who sees the potential for good in Sang-woo but is also confronted with his friend's increasingly dark actions. The betrayals, both subtle and overt, that Sang-woo commits chip away at their bond, forcing Gi-hun to question the nature of their friendship and the true cost of winning. The climactic confrontation between Gi-hun and Sang-woo in the final game is the ultimate manifestation of this complex relationship. It's not just a battle for survival; it's a clash of ideologies – Gi-hun's enduring humanity versus Sang-woo's corrupted pragmatism. While they were childhood friends, the events of Squid Game expose a chasm between them, born from their different life paths and their responses to extreme pressure. Sang-woo’s internal conflict and eventual sacrifice, while perhaps a form of redemption, don’t erase the actions that pushed Gi-hun to his moral breaking point. Their shared history makes their story arc particularly tragic, highlighting how even the deepest connections can be twisted and destroyed by the monstrous incentives of the game. Gi-hun’s struggle to reconcile the friend he knew with the ruthless player he became is a central theme that defines his experience. Their bond is a stark reminder of how circumstances can forge and break individuals, and how past affections can become a source of profound pain.

The Deceptive Kindness: Oh Il-nam

Another significant relationship for Seong Gi-hun in Squid Game season 1 is with Oh Il-nam, the elderly player, number 001. Initially, Gi-hun sees Il-nam as a vulnerable figure who needs protection, and he forms a bond with him based on empathy and a sense of moral obligation. Il-nam, the seemingly frail old man, becomes a symbol of innocence and a test of Gi-hun's character. Gi-hun goes out of his way to ensure Il-nam's safety during several games, most notably the deadly Red Light, Green Light. He helps Il-nam navigate the chaos, prevents him from being trampled, and even shares his personal resources, like the egg and corn he managed to secure. This selfless act of kindness, especially given Gi-hun's own precarious situation, highlights his inherent goodness and his capacity for compassion, even when survival is on the line. Il-nam, in turn, appears to appreciate Gi-hun's care and offers him words of wisdom and encouragement. He shares stories about his life and seems to find solace in their companionship. This dynamic fosters a sense of mutual reliance, albeit one heavily skewed by Il-nam's hidden agenda. Gi-hun perceives their bond as a genuine friendship, a rare beacon of humanity in the brutal competition. He sees Il-nam as someone he can trust, someone who embodies the spirit of camaraderie they are trying to foster among some of the contestants. However, the shocking revelation that Il-nam is not just a fellow contestant but the mastermind behind the entire Squid Game operation shatters this perception entirely. This twist recontextualizes their entire relationship, transforming Il-nam from a sympathetic figure into the ultimate antagonist. Gi-hun's interactions with Il-nam become a poignant example of deception on the grandest scale. The kindness and companionship that Gi-hun believed he was receiving were merely part of a cruel game orchestrated by Il-nam himself. This betrayal is deeply personal and profoundly impactful, adding another layer of trauma to Gi-hun's already agonizing experience. The old man's influence on Gi-hun's decisions, particularly his decision to play the final game, is immense, making the revelation all the more devastating. The relationship serves as a stark reminder that in the world of Squid Game, trust is a dangerous commodity, and even the most benevolent-seeming connections can harbor the darkest secrets. It forces Gi-hun to confront the grim reality that his perceived allies were often his greatest manipulators, and the acts of kindness he received were part of a much larger, crueler design.

Who Truly Was Gi-hun's Best Friend?

When it comes down to it, defining Seong Gi-hun's best friend in Squid Game season 1 is a complex endeavor, as genuine connections are scarce and often fraught with peril. However, if we must choose, Kang Sae-byeok stands out as the most likely candidate for Gi-hun's truest friend. Their bond wasn't built on shared history or grand declarations, but on mutual respect, shared vulnerability, and quiet acts of loyalty in the face of overwhelming adversity. Gi-hun saw past Sae-byeok's tough exterior to the desperate, loving sister and daughter beneath, and she, in turn, recognized his fundamental kindness and empathy, qualities that were rare commodities in the games. Their interactions, though often brief, carried significant weight. Gi-hun’s consistent efforts to protect and support Sae-byeok, and her subtle reciprocation, demonstrate a bond forged in the crucible of the games. While Cho Sang-woo was Gi-hun's childhood friend, their relationship disintegrated under the pressure of the games, revealing a deep rift in their values and moral compasses. Sang-woo ultimately represented a path Gi-hun struggled against, one of self-preservation at any cost. Oh Il-nam, while offering companionship and seemingly wisdom, turned out to be the ultimate deceiver, making any genuine friendship impossible. Sae-byeok, despite her own guarded nature, offered Gi-hun a sense of genuine human connection and a shared struggle for a future beyond the games. Her loyalty, though tested, remained a constant, and Gi-hun's grief over her death profoundly affected him, solidifying her place as the person who impacted him the most. Therefore, while the term 'best friend' might be too simple a label for the complex dynamics at play, Sae-byeok embodies the spirit of genuine camaraderie and solidarity that Gi-hun desperately sought and briefly found within the deadly arena of Squid Game. Her presence and eventual loss underscored Gi-hun's fight to retain his humanity, making her the most significant and arguably, the best friend he had in that horrific first season. Her resilience and quiet strength served as a constant reminder of what he was fighting for beyond just survival.