In a candid moment, actor Im Si‑wan, who plays the ruthless Myung‑gi (Player 333) in Squid Game 3, publicly issued an apology, revealing he felt compelled to apologize to fans who were upset by his character’s betrayal. He acknowledged the intense emotional reaction his performance elicited and apologised for the grief it caused the audience, saying, “I’m sorry, I am a coward.”
Im Si‑wan’s portrayal of Myung‑gi as a greedy, cold-blooded figure—culminating in shocking betrayal scenes—has made him one of the most detested characters in the series’ history. After he tried to sacrifice his own child for the prise money, viewers accused him of being “the most hated in Squid Game history.”
The actor’s commitment to the part was widely praised in spite of the criticism. Im-Si-wan welcomed the criticism, saying he saw it as “a compliment”—a sign that he had completely absorbed the character’s sinister mind. He said that he and the director had psychologically prepared for such strong reactions and had expected them.
Beyond the apologies, Im Siwan disclosed how swiftly he became famous following the June 27 release of Squid Game 3—he amassed over 60 million viewing hours in three days, earning the #1 rank on Netflix worldwide. In sharp contrast to his gloomy villain persona, a popular throwback video from his idol days reappeared because of how powerful his character was.
