Warning! Spoilers for Squid Game season 2 ahead!

Park Gyu-young was expected to play a competitor in the games in Squid Game season 2, but her true role was so much better. The assumption about Park's place within the story comes down to sheer numbers and precedence since the majority of characters in Squid Game season 1 were those vying for the cash prize along with Gi-hun. The first episode of Squid Game season 2 seemed to confirm that Park's character would compete in the games since she was just as desperate as the target demographic. However, her story took a surprising twist.

Park is a familiar name in Korean entertainment, which is why her Squid Game's masked guards.

Park Gyu-young’s No-eul Was Not Another Player In Squid Game Season 2

No-eul Was Squid Game Season 2's Intriguing Surprise

The guards of Squid Game have always been a point of fascination. It was even hoped that, in his efforts to take down the games, Gi-hun would become one of these masked figures to secretly take the operation down from the inside. Unfortunately, this didn't end up being the case. Squid Game made up for this, however, by placing a new character in the role of guard. Park played No-eul in Squid Game season 2, a North Korean deserter on a desperate search for the infant daughter she was forced to leave behind. No-eul needed money to make that happen, and working as a guard was her way forward.

The big reveal that No-eul was a guard was perfectly executed in Squid Game. Like the several hundred desperate competitors, Park's character received a Squid Game business card. When she was completely out of hope, she called the number and signified that she accepted. Nothing seemed amiss, and she headed out for what audiences assumed to be the deadly competition. Of course, they weren't entirely wrong. No-eul traveled to the secret island, but rather than wake up in the bunk hall clad in a green jumpsuit, she slipped on a triangle mask—it was a gasp-worthy moment.

No-eul’s Backstory & Job Made Her Squid Game Season 2’s Most Complex Character

There's More To Come From This Character In Squid Game Season 3

Of course, Park's Squid Game character went far beyond her big surprise early in season 2. No-eul continued to be one of the most complex new characters in the series and was a significant highlight of all seven episodes. This came down to the many layers of her backstory and role in the games. No-eul had been a North Korean soldier, which is why she was so well-equipped to serve as a sniper in the brutal competition. Additionally, she is a mother desperate to find her baby, which adds a sympathetic angle to her otherwise villainous role in the games.

The backbone of No-eul's story comes down to the continued evidence of her personal morality.

Still, the backbone of No-eul's story comes down to the continued evidence of her personal morality. While she agrees to kill the desperate competitors who lose the games, No-Eul does so while believing that she is ending their misery—providing them one last chance at happiness and ending their lives when they fail to grasp it. However, the other guards' organ harvesting operation requires the contestants to be left alive to suffer for far longer, and No-eul puts her own life in danger to ensure that these people aren't put through this.

Park Gyu-young’s Squid Game Role Was Worthy Of Her Talents

This Was A Complicated Role To Play

No-eul is a complex character battling her desires, fears, convictions, and suffering. However, since she isn't one of many words, this required an excellent actor to pull off. Audiences had to feel No-eul's desperation, which had to be brought to the screen mainly through body language and facial expressions. Add in the triangle mask that this character must wear for most of Squid Game season 2, and this would be a nightmare for many actors to pull off.

Squid Game season 3 is expected to release on Netflix in 2025.

Of course, Park managed this spectacularly. Those who enjoyed the original Squid Game season 2 heard the powerful inflection in the actor's voice, even from behind the mask. Then, in those moments during which No-eul's face was exposed, Park perfectly emoted the fear, desperation, anger, and reluctant complacency the character required. It's clear that No-eul will be a power player in Squid Game season 3, and with Park, this will undoubtedly be something thrilling to watch.