Im Si-wan Expresses Desire to Move Away from Villain Roles After 'Squid Game 3'

Actor Im Si-wan has shared his candid feelings about wanting to step away from villainous roles as he wraps up his participation in 'Squid Game 3'. In an interview held on July 2 at a café in Seoul's Sogyeok-dong, Im discussed his character and the series' impact.

'Squid Game 3' follows Gi-hun, who returns to the deadly game with personal motives, only to lose his closest friend. The series also features the Frontman, who hides his identity while participating in the game, and the fates of the remaining contestants in a brutal survival scenario. Since its debut in September 2021, the first season created a global phenomenon, breaking viewership records worldwide. Season 2 was released in December 2024, leading to the highly anticipated finale.

In just three days after its release, 'Squid Game 3' garnered 60.1 million views, ranking first in Netflix's Top 10 across all 93 countries, including South Korea, the United States, Japan, France, and Brazil. This achievement marked it as the first Netflix series to top the charts in every country during its opening week, solidifying its blockbuster status. Additionally, it entered the top 10 of Netflix's all-time non-English series, with all three seasons now recognized among the platform's most popular offerings.

Im Si-wan plays contestant number 333, Myung-ki, a YouTuber who suffers significant losses due to a failed cryptocurrency investment, affecting both himself and his subscribers. Myung-ki is also the ex-boyfriend of fellow contestant Jun-hee (played by Jo Yu-ri), and as he learns of her pregnancy, he becomes increasingly villainous, ultimately becoming the series' top antagonist.

Reflecting on the backlash his character has received, Im stated, "I've heard that being hated as a character is a blessing, so I try to take it as a compliment. Some have even said Myung-ki is a worse villain than Thanos or Nam-kyu, which made me laugh."

When asked if he agrees with the assessment of Myung-ki as the ultimate villain, he replied, "While filming, I didn't agree. I thought true evil was represented by characters like Thanos and Nam-kyu. It was confusing to follow the director's guidance because I didn't see it that way. But looking at the final product, I can see why people might find Myung-ki particularly detestable."

Im described the differences between himself and Myung-ki, saying, "Myung-ki is quite different from me. I find it unpleasant to compare myself to him. I approached Myung-ki as a cowardly and 'pathetic' character who thinks he's smart but is ultimately driven by fear. If there's any connection between us, it's that we both have our fears."

He added, "I never thought of Myung-ki as pure evil or entirely bad. He uses cunning to create problems, leading to negative outcomes, but I believe his feelings for Jun-hee are genuine."

Im highlighted a particularly shocking scene in the series, where Myung-ki contemplates throwing a baby. "That scene was very shocking, and I didn't want to face it again. It was an emotionally challenging moment to prepare for, and I believe Myung-ki wouldn't actually harm the baby. His actions stem from a place of cunning rather than malice."

He also mentioned how he had to be cautious about spoilers before the release, saying, "Now that it's out, I can talk freely about the ending. I could even mention 'special appearance by Cate Blanchett' without worry. The situation has changed."

When asked about the series topping charts in 93 countries, he expressed gratitude, saying, "Hearing that my work is gaining global attention is wonderful. It seems Myung-ki will have many people hating him, but if I'm going to be hated, I might as well embrace it."

As his global recognition grows through 'Squid Game', fans have also discovered his idol past. Recently, a video surfaced of him dancing with former members of ZE:A, prompting reactions from international fans who were surprised. Im humorously suggested that fans should focus on his more normal dance and singing performances instead.

When asked if he has any past works to recommend to his growing international fanbase, he suggested, "Since you've seen Myung-ki, I hope you'll check out 'Run On'. The character is just and could serve as a nice contrast to Myung-ki. Don't just watch dark web content!"

With his follower count on social media skyrocketing after Season 2, Im noted that Season 3 feels different. He remarked, "I see messages and an increase in followers, but this time feels more purposeful. I think people are coming to my Instagram to criticize me after watching Season 3. I receive messages in various languages, but I don't want to translate them."

Having portrayed villains in 'Emergency Declaration', 'Just a Smartphone Drop', and 'Squid Game', Im Si-wan expressed his desire to move away from such roles. "I want to stop playing villains. That thought hasn't changed, and filming 'Squid Game' has solidified it. If possible, I want to showcase softer or more virtuous sides of myself in future roles."