The Shocking True Identities: 5 Named Squid Game Guards And Their Hidden Roles In Season 2

For years, the Pink Guards of Squid Game were a symbol of terrifying anonymity, their identities completely concealed behind geometric masks. Their collective name—the "Masked Men" or "Pink Soldiers"—was all the audience knew. However, as of the latest updates for the highly anticipated Season 2, the game’s creators have finally lifted the veil on a few key staff members, revealing not only their names but also their shocking backstories and true motives for joining the deadly operation. This is the most current and unique information available about the staff hierarchy.

The core intention of the guards’ anonymity in Season 1 was to dehumanize them, reflecting the show’s themes of disposable labor and class warfare. But the new season, which is set to premiere in late 2024 or early 2025, promises to delve deeper into the staff’s personal lives, giving specific names and numbers to characters who were once just faceless figures in red jumpsuits. The biggest revelation concerns the actress who plays a pivotal new Pink Guard.

The Named Guards: Kang No-eul (Soldier 011) and Her Shocking Profile

The most significant named guard to emerge from the new season’s casting is Kang No-eul, also known by her staff designation, Soldier 011. Her character is portrayed by the acclaimed South Korean actress, Park Gyu-young, whose casting immediately hinted at a major, non-anonymous role for a Pink Guard.

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Complete Biography and Character Profile: Park Gyu-young / Kang No-eul

• Real Name: Park Gyu-young (박규영)
• Character Name (Guard): Kang No-eul
• Guard Rank/Number: Soldier 011
• Born: July 27, 1993 (Age 31 as of late 2024)
• Birthplace: Busan, South Korea
• Occupation: Actress, Model
• Education: Yonsei University (Department of Clothing and Textiles)
• Known For (Dramas): Sweet Home (Yoon Ji-soo), It's Okay to Not Be Okay (Nam Joo-ri), Dali and Cocky Prince (Kim Dal-li), Celebrity (Seo A-ri)
• Squid Game Backstory: Kang No-eul is a former North Korean defector who fled to South Korea. This backstory is expected to be a major plot point, offering a glimpse into the desperate circumstances that would force someone to take on the role of a Pink Guard in the deadly game.

Park Gyu-young’s character is crucial because she’s the first guard whose identity and personal history are explicitly explored. Her role as a former North Korean soldier-turned-Pink Guard suggests the game’s organizers are preying on individuals with military training and extreme financial or political desperation, offering them an escape in exchange for enforcing the brutal rules.

The Anonymous Ranks: Decoding the Guards’ Hierarchy and Roles

While Kang No-eul is a named exception, the vast majority of the staff remain anonymous, their rank and role defined only by the shape on their mask. This staff hierarchy is strictly enforced and is the foundation of the operation’s efficiency and secrecy.

1. The Workers (Circle Guards: ◯)

The Circle Guards are at the bottom of the staff hierarchy. Their primary role is manual labor. They are responsible for cleaning up the aftermath of the games, carrying out the bodies, preparing the meals, and general janitorial duties. They are forbidden from speaking unless spoken to by a higher-ranking guard. They carry no weapons and are the most disposable members of the staff.

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2. The Soldiers (Triangle Guards: △)

The Triangle Guards are the main enforcement unit. They are the ones seen carrying firearms and actively monitoring the contestants during the games. They are the soldiers who execute the players who break the rules or are eliminated. They report directly to the Managers (Square Guards) and are the most visible of the Pink Soldiers. Kang No-eul (Soldier 011) falls into this rank.

3. The Managers (Square Guards: □)

The Square Guards are the highest-ranking staff members under the Front Man. They are the supervisors and managers who oversee the Triangle and Circle Guards. They are the only ones permitted to communicate with the Front Man, and they are typically the ones who announce the rules of the games to the contestants. They carry the most authority and are responsible for the overall operation of the island.

The Masterminds: The Front Man and The Recruiter

Above the three ranks of Pink Guards are the true overseers, who also have specific identities, though they do not wear the pink jumpsuits or geometric masks. These individuals are the key entities that connect the staff hierarchy to the wealthy VIPs who run the game.

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The Front Man (Hwang In-ho)

The Front Man is the ultimate authority figure on the island, acting as the operational leader and direct representative of the VIPs. His identity was the major twist of Season 1: he is Hwang In-ho, the older brother of police detective Hwang Jun-ho, and a former winner of the Squid Game (2015). Played by actor Lee Byung-hun, he is the only staff member to wear a black mask and cloak, symbolizing his supreme authority.

The Recruiter (The Salesman)

The Recruiter, or "The Salesman," is the man who brings contestants into the game. While his actual name remains unconfirmed in the series, his role is pivotal. He is the man in the suit who plays Ddakji with potential contestants in the real world, offering them a chance to join the game for a life-changing sum of money. He serves as the initial bridge between the outside world and the deadly operation. The actor is Gong Yoo.

Other Named Soldiers and Managers in the Staff Roster

Beyond the main figures, the show’s lore and cast lists have revealed a few other specific numbers and names for guards, further breaking down the anonymity of the Pink Soldiers. These are often minor roles, but they contribute to the topical authority of the staff roster.

• David Park (Number 002): Listed as a Soldier (Triangle Guard) in the staff roster.
• Ju Ho-yeong (Number 004): Listed as a Soldier (Triangle Guard).
• Choi Hyuk (Number 008): Listed as a Soldier (Triangle Guard).
• Unnamed Manager (Lee Jung-jun): An actor named Lee Jung-jun portrayed an Unnamed Manager (Square Guard) in Season 1, most notably the one who was exposed by detective Hwang Jun-ho.

The shift in focus for Squid Game Season 2, moving from anonymous Pink Guards to named characters like Kang No-eul, signifies a major narrative change. It suggests that the new season will explore the ethical and personal toll of being a staff member, revealing that the guards are not just faceless villains but desperate people trapped in a different kind of life-or-death game. The true "names" of the guards are no longer just Circle, Triangle, and Square—they are now individuals with complex, hidden stories waiting to be told.