Who Played 001 in Squid Game? The Hidden Identity Behind the Second Gauger Unveiled

In the global phenomenon of Squid Game, where tension, moral ambiguity, and survival drive its pulse, each character’s role carries deeper significance—often beyond the screen. Among the pivotal figures in the show’s chilling spectacle stands 001, the second “Gauger” processed by the deadly game. Unveiling the identity of the actor who portrayed this enigmatic figure sheds light on both casting choices and narrative structure.

The actor behind 001 is Lee Kwang-soo, a versatile performer whose understated yet gripping performance anchors one of the season’s most morally complex gamemakers.

Lee Kwang-soo stepped into the role of 001 during the gruesome televised selection, embodying a calm, methodical presence that subtly signals authority and detachment. Playing one of 260 hopeful contestants competing in a life-or-death game, his character symbolizes the banality of evil—a hallmark of Squid Game’s storytelling.

Though screened with minimal dialogue, 001’s calm demeanor under pressure exemplifies the show’s central tension: survival hinging on psychological dominance, not brute force.

Lee Kwang-soo’s casting was strategically precise. Known for his ability to convey emotional restraint and menace in subtle gestures, he embodied the Gelball Game’s sterile cruelty with authenticity. The role required minimal exposition, relying entirely on performance, and Lee managed to deliver tension through silence, a hallmark of his craft.

In interviews, he described embracing 001’s detached nature, stating, “It’s not about screaming—it’s about watching coolly, calculating. That’s the heart of the character.” This approach deepens the psychological horror that defines his segment of the game.

The Role of 001: Symbolism and Narrative Function

The character of 001 is more than just a gamemaker—he represents the systematic dehumanization woven into the game’s design. As the second player processed, 001 mirrors the broader mechanism of selection: efficiency, precision, and an absence of empathy.

His presence underscores Squid Game’s critique of capitalism and human desperation, showing how ideology manifests through violence. - **Minimal Dialogue, Maximum Impact**: Unlike other gamemakers often defined by shouted commands or personal vendettas, 001 speaks only once—delivering ominous, measured orders. This silence amplifies fear through anticipation and economic coldness.

- **Archetype of Impersonal Authority**: 001 stands apart through his passive stoicism, reframing cruelty as operational logic. He is not cruel—he is functionary. - **Narrative Function**: Positioned early in the games, 001 sets a template for subsequent gamemakers, establishing the tone of calculated brutality that governs the entire show.

While iconic scenes often focus on later characters like Gi-hun or Seong-jin, 001’s performance quietly shapes the world-building. His demeanor reinforces the central theme: survival is not won through strength alone, but through endurance under psychological duress. Lee Kwang-soo’s restraint ensures the character remains unsettlingly human in his inevitability—fearful yet patient, driven not by rage but by cold calculation.

Though Lee Kwang-soo’s on-screen time with 001 is brief, his performance is memorable for its precision and emotional opacity.

In a series saturated with larger-than-life actors delivering explosive lines, Lee’s understated portrayal reminds viewers that the most terrifying forces are often the quietest. His role as 001 exemplifies how background performers can define a show’s silence just as powerfully as its voice.

Unveiling the actor behind 001 reveals not just a casting detail, but a deliberate narrative choice—one that deepens Squid Game’s exploration of systemic horror.

Lee Kwang-soo’s quiet command behind the Gauger glasses brings even the most anonymous roles into focus, proving that in the world of the Squid Game, impact often comes from what is unsaid.