Squid Game Sae Byeok: Legacy of Player 067

Who is Sae-byeok?

Fans know Kang Sae byeok as Player 067 and she is one of the most talked-about characters in Netflix’s Squid Game. She was first seen in season 1. She is a North Korean defector who joins the deadly game in a desperate attempt to reunite her family. Her mother is stuck in China after trying to move away and her younger brother, Cheol, stays in an orphanage.

Sae-byeok’s reason for playing is love and sacrifice, not greed or careless debt like many other musicians. This unique story made her tale stand out and gave Australians a reason to genuinely care about her struggle to survive.

Her journey in season 1

Throughout the first season of Squid Game, Sae-byeok demonstrates caution and determination. She doesn’t show her cards right away, but she progressively gets to know the other players, especially Seong Gi-hun (Player 456) and Ji-yeong (Player 240).

• Tug-of-war: She shows that she can change and cooperate with others.
• Marbles game: The emotional talk she had with Ji-yeong in the marbles game was one of the saddest parts of the whole series.
• Bridge game: Sae-byeok survives the bridge game, but the broken glass hurts him badly.
• Her death: Cho Sang-woo kills a frail Sae-byeok the night before the final round, which startles spectators and provokes lengthy online discussions about her death.

Her sad end made her a popular favourite and many Australians still consider her to be the series’ true moral centre.

Why Australians connected with Sae-byeok

Australian listeners can relate to a lot of the topics in Sae-byeok’s story:

• Underdog spirit: Australians adore a fighter; thus, they have an underdog attitude. Sae-byeok’s willingness to fight against overwhelming odds is like the story of the underdog that Australians naturally support.
• Family and friendship: Sae-byeok’s modest dedication to Ji-yeong and her brother reflects the importance of friendship, sacrifice and loyalty among Australians.
• Migration and struggle: Sae-byeok’s narrative is about more than just her experiences as a defector; it also shows how many Australians can relate to or empathise with her struggles and fortitude.

The actor behind Sae-byeok

Jung Ho-yeon, a South Korean model who made her acting debut in Squid Game, played Sae-byeok. She became famous all around the world overnight and once the show started, she became one of the most followed Korean actors on Instagram.

Jung Ho-yeon worked hard to become the character, even changing her dialect to sound more like a North Korean accent. Both Korean and international audiences were impressed by how much care went into the details.

She won many awards for her portrayal, including the 2022 SAG Award for Outstanding Portrayal by a Female Actor in a Drama Series. This was a huge accomplishment for a first-time actor who made her famous all across the world.

Sae-byeok in seasons 2 and 3

Season 2 (2024 release)

On December 26, 2024, Netflix put out Squid Game season 2. Fans wanted her to come back, but Sae-byeok doesn’t show up in any big way. The tale moves on to new characters and the continued fight between Gi-hun and the Front Man after she dies in season 1.

Season 3 (2025 release)

In June 2025, the last season of Squid Game came out. Fans got a short but emotional surprise here: Sae-byeok shows up in a short vision sequence and gives Gi-hun moral guidance. Fans who missed her presence got closure from this cameo.

The season 3 finale was another big deal for Australian viewers. Cate Blanchett made an appearance as a recruiter, which was clearly an Easter egg meant to get Aussie fans excited and hint at the games’ worldwide growth.

Key relationships that defined Sae-byeok

• Cheol (her brother): Sae-byeok’s only goal is to get her younger brother out of the orphanage.
• Ji-yeong (Player 240): Their connection in the marbles game made for one of the most moving moments in Netflix history. People still talk about how sad Ji-yeong’s death was for Sae-byeok.
• Seong Gi-hun (Player 456): Their awkward relationship turns into respect as Gi-hun admires her strength and bravery.
• Cho Sang-woo (Player 218): Their connection ends in betrayal, which shows how cutthroat the game is.

Why Sae-byeok is still famous

• Powerful performance: Jung Ho-yeon’s subtle facial expressions, closed-off body language and emotional delivery made 067 feel real.
• Symbolism: Her tracksuit, short hair, and player number became famous in pop culture almost right away.
• Cultural impact: Sae-byeok’s death made people think about morality, survival and sacrifice, making her one of the most famous people on TV around the world in the 2020s.

Quick facts Australians often search for

• Full name: Kang Sae-byeok
• Player number: 067
• Played by: Jung Ho-yeon
• Brother’s name: Cheol
• Death: Injured in the glass bridge round, killed by Sang-woo in episode 8
• Return? Brief cameo in season 3 (June 2025)

Conclusion

Kang Sae-byeok’s legacy will live on, even if she didn’t survive Squid Game’s first season. She stands for strength, sacrifice and being human in the face of violence. Australians may relate to her narrative because it has elements of family, being an underdog and having emotional strength.