How are Squid Game guards recruited? Everything we know so far as Park Gyu-young’s season 2 identity twist leaves fans in a frenzy

With the release of Squid Game season 2 on Netflix on December 26, 2024, Park Gyu-young's character development in the show, which was shocking and had unexpected bends, caused her to go viral online.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Squid Game Season 2

Park Gyu-young played the role of Kang No-eul, who is a North Korean deserter. She initially joined the game in the second season as a player but as the story progressed, she turned out to be one of the sniper pink guards.

This plot twist left fans in a frenzy as many were confused about the recruitment process of pink guards.

For those unaware, ever since the release of the first season of Squid Game, several fan theories have emerged about the selection process of guards and players.

Initially, fans speculated that the guards and participants in Squid Game were designated based on the color selected in the Ddakji game.

However, in 2021, actor Jung Ho-yeon refuted these presumptions by referencing an unsettling yet authentic Japanese and Korean urban tale involving red and blue toilet paper. This urban legend is referred to as Aka Monto.

Kang No-eul’s (Park Gyu-young) identity disclosure in the third episode of season 2 left fans shocked. While many said they were not ready for such a plot twist, others questioned if the way of recruiting players was changed.

“I never expected that plot twist. I thought they changed the way they pick up players,” a fan wrote.

“like i thought we changed the way of recruiting the players,” commented another fan.

“I was very shocked too like i wasn't expecting this!!!!!,” stated another admirer.

“did not see that coming, was ready to feel sorry for my girl...now I just have to defend her wrongs,” another user on X stated.

Many thought Park Gyu-young was a player, while others seemed excited about this twist.

“i kept on complaining why would she join if she's looking for her kid knowing she could get killed in the game... i was like "ooohhh okay she'll be doing the killing" lmao,” stated an admirer.

“honestly thought she was a player,” a viewer commented.

“nah cus how?? like how are those guards selected bruh,” another fan questioned.

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Squid Game recruitment process was based on Aka Monto

While analyzing fan theories in a Vanity Fair video from 2021, Jung Ho-yeon disclosed director Hwang Dong-hyuk's rationale for the colors.

Hwang selected them based on an authentic Japanese and Korean urban legend known as Aka Monto. It states that the ghost's hand extends from the toilet, presenting the individual with red and blue toilet paper.

The ghostly figure poses a question for the individual to respond to. If they select the blue paper, the ghost will choke them, resulting in their bodies turning blue due to oxygen deprivation. The individual will be flayed alive and left in a sanguineous state if they select the red toilet paper.

This ghost tale connection to the recruitment of players and guards was later confirmed by the show's director, Hwang Dong-hyuk, in 2022.

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More about Park Gyu-young’s role in Squid Game season 2

Kang No-eul (Park Gyu-young) was a North Korean deserter, who was looking for her lost daughter. Initially, No-eul sought assistance from professional detectives, but after being disheartened by their comments, she joined Squid Game as a player.

Later in the third episode, it was revealed that she was a pink soldier, not a player.

Episode 3 featured a discussion between No-eul and the game's Officer, which revealed the real purpose for which she accepted to join one of the guards. She thought the proceeds from the games could assist her find her kid.

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The second season of Squid Game encompasses seven episodes, available for viewing on Netflix. The runtime for each episode is approximately one hour.