The global success of Netflix’s Squid Game captivated audiences with its powerful storyline and diverse characters. But what lies beneath the surface of these compelling personalities?
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Our recent study used East Asian biopsychosocial theories to explore the physical and psychological traits of Squid Game’s main characters, revealing how each character not only engages viewers but also reflects a deeper psychological structure.
What Did We Do?
We focused on five main characters from Squid Game: Seong Gi-hun, Cho Sang-woo, Kang Sae-byeok, Han Mi-nyeo, and Jang Deok-su. By applying the Sasang typology from Korean medicine—which categorizes personality based on temperament, body composition, and psychological traits—we analyzed each character’s biopsychosocial profile.
To achieve this, we gathered assessments from 221 Korean university students who evaluated the characters’ behavioral, cognitive, and emotional qualities. Each character was then matched to a Sasang profile and Body Mass Index (BMI) to provide a holistic view of their personality structure.
What Did We Discover?
Our findings revealed three primary Sasang personality profiles among the characters:
- So-Yang (High SPQ, Moderate BMI) – Characters like Seong Gi-hun (the empathetic gambler) and Han Mi-nyeo (the opportunistic swindler) belong here, marked by extroversion, sociability, and emotional responsiveness.
- So-Eum (Low SPQ, Low BMI) – Cho Sang-woo (the calculated investment manager) and Kang Sae-byeok (the rational North Korean defector) fit this type, characterized by introversion, emotional stability, and consistency.
- Tae-Eum (Moderate SPQ, High BMI) – Jang Deok-su (the physically dominant gangster) exemplifies this type with his large physique, aggressiveness, and uninhibited traits.
Additionally, we identified two contrasting personality profiles:
- V-Shaped Profile: Characters like Seong Gi-hun, Han Mi-nyeo, and Jang Deok-su show high levels of behavioral and emotional reactivity but lower cognitive flexibility.
- A-Shaped Profile: Cho Sang-woo and Kang Sae-byeok display high cognitive control with lower emotional and behavioral reactivity.
These profiles illuminate why viewers feel such a strong connection to the characters: each highlights unique adaptive and maladaptive traits under stress.
Character Maturity in Squid Game
In media, character maturity is often shown through traits like empathy, altruism, rational decision-making, and positive responses to stress. Mature characters, like Seong Gi-hun and Kang Sae-byeok, often assume protagonist roles, allowing audiences to empathize with and root for them as they maintain their humanity and help others, even under extreme pressure.
Conversely, characters displaying immature traits—selfishness, manipulation, betrayal, and maladaptive stress responses—are often portrayed as antagonists or obstacles. Cho Sang-woo and Han Mi-nyeo, for example, embody immaturity through their willingness to betray and manipulate others for personal gain. These contrasting depictions of maturity and immaturity not only add depth to the narrative but offer a mirror to human nature and convey social messages.
The contrast between mature and immature characters elicits a range of emotional responses from audiences, creating a realistic portrayal of conflict and moral dilemmas. Squid Game’s characters face extreme ethical choices that heighten the tension and engage viewers in a nuanced way.
Interestingly, the Sasang typology applied in our study suggests that psychological maturity, as seen in the balance of traits, has a direct impact on well-being. This perspective aligns character maturity with mental and physical health, suggesting that mature traits foster resilience and adaptability, while immature ones lead to maladaptive outcomes.
Why Does This Matter?
Our study demonstrates that East Asian personality theories can deepen our understanding of character development in media. By examining the complex biopsychosocial traits of fictional characters, we gain insight into why certain portrayals resonate so strongly with audiences. Mature characters like Seong Gi-hun and Kang Sae-byeok captivate us because their actions and responses reflect core human values and real-life resilience.
What This Means for Media and Psychology
Our research bridges the gap between East Asian personality theories and global entertainment. By using biopsychosocial models like the Sasang typology, creators can design multidimensional characters that audiences around the world can relate to. This approach also highlights how personality traits impact viewers’ empathy and engagement, adding psychological depth to storytelling.
Through this study, we open the door for further exploration of biopsychosocial traits in media, potentially influencing how fictional characters are crafted to reflect the diversity and complexity of human experience.
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The Article
So, S., Garcia, D., Lee, J., Kim, J. H., Han, S. Y., Lee, S. J., & Chae, H. (2024). Analyses of Physical and psychological Characteristics of “Squid Game” Characters using East Asian Biopsychosocial Personality Theories and Body Mass Index. Behavioral Sciences, 14(10), 907; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14100907.