Im Si-wan‘s portrayal of greedy father Lee Myung-gi in Squid Game Season 3 has sparked intense backlash from viewers worldwide for his shocking betrayal and attempted murder of his own baby. The character’s ruthless actions in the final games have made him the most despised figure in the hit Netflix series’ conclusion, despite the actor’s normally beloved image in Korean dramas.
Why Fans Can’t Stand Lee Myung-gi
Lee Myung-gi, played by popular actor Im Si-wan, enters Squid Game Season 3 as a cryptocurrency YouTuber and the ex-boyfriend of pregnant contestant Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri). Initially, he appears conflicted but ultimately becomes one of the season’s most brutal players.
His most hated moments include:
Betraying Jun-hee, the mother of his child, by prioritizing money over her safety.
Killing Hyun-ju (Park Sung-hoon), a fan-favorite character who helped deliver his baby.
Attempting to murder his own newborn daughter in the final game to claim the prize money.
“I wanted to show how greed can completely destroy humanity,” Im Si-wan explained in an interview. “Myung-gi represents the worst parts of society—people who would sacrifice even their own family for wealth.”
Viewer Reactions: Shock and Disgust
Social media exploded with outrage after Myung-gi’s actions in the finale. Many fans admitted they could no longer see Im Si-wan the same way after his chilling performance.
“I used to love Im Si-wan, but now I feel sick seeing his face because of Lee Myung-gi.” “That scene where he tries to kill the baby? I had to pause and walk away. Too disturbing.” “Amazing acting, but this character deserves the worst punishment.”
Despite the hatred for Myung-gi, critics praised Im Si-wan’s performance, calling it one of the most compelling villain turns in recent TV history.
The Final Game: Myung-gi’s Downfall
In the last episode, Sky Squid Game, Myung-gi fights Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) to kill his own baby and win the prize. After a brutal knife fight, he falls to his death—but his death doesn’t count because the round wasn’t officially started. This leaves Gi-hun with a heartbreaking choice: kill the baby or sacrifice himself.
“Myung-gi represents all of us who talk about future generations but act selfishly,” said creator Hwang Dong-hyuk. “Gi-hun’s sacrifice is the opposite—he chooses hope.”
Im Si-wan’s Transformation Shocks Fans
Known for his kind-hearted roles in dramas like Misaeng and Run On, Im Si-wan’s switch to a detestable villain stunned audiences. His ability to portray such a morally bankrupt character has sparked discussions about his acting range.
We use cookies to enhance your experience. By consenting, you allow us to process data like Browse behavior and unique IDs. Declining may affect some site features.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
