7 Shocking Secrets Of The Salesman From Squid Game: Gong Yoo's Recruiter Backstory Revealed In Season 2

As of December 2025, The Salesman from Netflix's global phenomenon *Squid Game* remains one of the show's most enigmatic and chilling figures, despite his limited screen time in the first season. Officially known as The Recruiter, this character, portrayed by the globally renowned actor Gong Yoo, is the stylish, charismatic, yet brutally detached face of the deadly competition, responsible for luring the desperate into the game with a seemingly harmless round of Ddakji.

The mystery surrounding his identity, his connection to the organization, and his fate has been a central point of fan speculation since 2021. However, the release of *Squid Game* Season 2 has finally pulled back the curtain, giving this pivotal antagonist a much more active and disturbing role, revealing an unhinged backstory that completely recontextualizes the red and blue tiles and his sinister smile.

Gong Yoo: The Man Behind The Salesman's Sinister Smile

The intensity and effortless charisma of The Salesman are a direct result of the actor who plays him, Gong Yoo. A superstar in South Korea and a globally recognized figure, Gong Yoo’s casting was a major coup for the series, lending immediate gravitas to the brief, yet impactful, role. His full biography details a career defined by critically acclaimed dramas and blockbuster hits, making his turn as a cold-blooded recruiter even more unsettling.

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• Real Name: Gong Ji-cheol (공지철)
• Stage Name: Gong Yoo (공유)
• Date of Birth: July 10, 1979
• Place of Birth: Busan, South Korea
• Education: Kyung Hee University (B.A. in Theater and Film)
• Major Career Highlights (Film & TV):
  • Coffee Prince (2007): His breakthrough K-drama role that cemented his status as a romantic lead.
  • Silenced (2011): A critically acclaimed film based on a true story that sparked real-life legislative changes in South Korea (The Dogani Law).
  • Train to Busan (2016): The global zombie blockbuster that brought him international fame.
  • Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin) (2016–2017): One of the highest-rated K-dramas in cable television history, a fantasy romance hit.
  • The Age of Shadows (2016): A historical action-thriller.
  • The Silent Sea (2021): A Netflix sci-fi thriller series where he played the lead.
  • Wonderland (2024): A recent sci-fi film appearance.

The Salesman's Brutal Backstory and Role in Squid Game Season 2

In Season 1, The Salesman was a mysterious figure, a stylish man in a suit who seemed to enjoy the psychological torment of the Ddakji game. He was the gateway to the hellish games, but his own motivations and history were left completely blank. Fan theories abounded: Was he a former winner? Was he the Front Man's brother? Season 2, however, delivers a much darker and more defined narrative for The Recruiter.

The new season reportedly dives deep into the Salesman’s past, establishing a crucial link between him and the entire operation. It is revealed that the Recruiter is not just a high-level staff member, but a former player who ascended the ranks—a theory long held by the fanbase. This explains his unnerving skill at Ddakji and his cold, calculating demeanor. The backstory is described as "unhinged" and "brutal," suggesting a trauma-filled past that turned him from a desperate debtor into a merciless predator.

Crucially, The Salesman returns to confront Gi-hun, the Season 1 winner. Gi-hun, determined to expose and stop the games, actively seeks out the Recruiter. Their reunion is not a friendly one; it is a tense, violent confrontation that sets the stage for the rest of the new season. This direct involvement in the main plot, rather than a mere cameo, elevates The Salesman from a chilling motif to a central antagonist.

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The Hidden Meaning of The Ddakji Game

The Ddakji game, the simple paper-flipping challenge that serves as the Recruiter's lure, is perhaps the most iconic and symbolic scene of the entire series. It is not just a game; it’s a psychological test and a mirror for the players' desperation.

The Psychological Hooks

The Salesman offers a choice of two tile colors: red or blue. This is a classic choice-based psychological tactic, creating a sense of control for the player while the outcome is irrelevant—both paths lead to the same deadly game. Gi-hun’s choice of the blue tile is often seen as a symbolic representation of his moral path, contrasting with the red uniforms of the staff, but it is ultimately a meaningless decision in the face of the organization's power.

The true genius of the Ddakji scene lies in the offer: win money, or take a slap. The physical violence—the repeated, stinging slaps—is a form of dehumanization and a conditioning tool. It forces the desperate player to endure pain for a small monetary reward, subtly preparing them for the brutal trade-off of the main games: extreme suffering and risk for an astronomical cash prize. The Salesman is testing their tolerance for humiliation and their willingness to prioritize money over dignity.

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The Salesman's Ddakji Skill

The Recruiter is unnervingly good at Ddakji. He rarely loses, and when he does, he pays Gi-hun instantly. This mastery of the game is a key piece of evidence supporting the "former winner" theory. If he was once a player, Ddakji could have been one of the games he mastered to survive, or a game he played countless times during his ascent through the staff ranks. His skill is a constant, subtle reminder that the organization is always one step ahead, and that the recruiter is a master manipulator.

The Fate of The Salesman: Rumors and Season 3 Potential

The Salesman's return in Season 2 is explosive, but his fate is a subject of intense discussion and conflicting reports. Some early reports and fan theories suggested that The Salesman may be "killed off" early in Season 2, perhaps by Gi-hun himself, as a shocking opening statement to the protagonist's mission. However, other, more recent speculation suggests that his role is expanded far beyond a single episode.

The character is too important to simply discard. As the physical link between the outside world and the games, The Salesman represents the entire recruitment apparatus. If the show is to continue exploring the vast network of the organization, The Recruiter's knowledge and position are invaluable. There is already talk of a potential Season 3, and keeping a high-profile, enigmatic character like Gong Yoo's Salesman alive—or at least having him return in flashbacks or a surprise twist—is a huge asset for the show's topical authority and future narrative.

Whether he meets a brutal end or escapes to continue his sinister work as a recruiter, The Salesman has cemented his place as one of the most memorable antagonists in television history. His journey from a mysterious, charismatic recruiter to a central figure with a dark, unhinged backstory is a testament to *Squid Game*'s masterful character development and its ability to keep the audience guessing about the true nature of its villains.