Squid Game Star Emphasizes A Different Part Of Her Character's Name Is More Important Than The Popular Sister Theory

Squid Game's No-eul star addresses a popular sister theory ahead of season 3's release. Season 2 introduced a string of new characters, including Kang No-eul (Park Gyu-young), a North Korean defector who is struggling to reunite with her daughter. Unlike most Squid Game characters who were recruited to the games, No-eul is selected to be a pink guard. Coincidentally, she shares the same last name as Kang Sae-byeok (Jung Ho-yeon), another North Korean defector from season 1.

While speaking with Forbes, Park was asked about the connection between No-eul and Sae-byeok and whether they could be sisters. She drew attention to the meaning behind the characters' names, choosing to focus on symbolism rather than their shared last names. This includes “no-eul” meaning the glow of a sunset, while “sae-byeok” means “dawn” in Korean.

There are a lot of people who’ve been speculating the same thing. I think it’s because of their names, and since there’ve been so many speculations around this, I’ve been having fun reading all these theories.
Actually, the name “Sae-byeok” represents searching for light and vitality from within the darkness, whereas “No-eul” signifies losing even the slightest trace of life in the deepest darkness. The director said that the name “No-eul” was chosen with that meaning in mind.

When asked to elaborate on whether the sister theory is indeed false, the star emphasized that the focus should be on the meaning of their names.

If you wouldn’t mind focusing more on the meaning behind their names, I think I’d be very grateful. (Laughs) Dawn and sunset.

What This Means For Squid Game Season 2

The Symbolism Behind Their Names Says More Than Their Shared Last Name

Park chose to steer the interview away from No-eul and Sae-byeok's shared last name, pivoting the conversation on the sunny symbolism in their names. Despite both characters defecting from North Korea and having the last name "Kang," it is very likely that the two are not related. Shutting down this theory leaves room for Squid Game season 3to expand upon its own characters, rather than draw attention to stars from a previous season.

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Even though the sister theory gained popularity, it should be noted that Kang is a very common last name, which would further debunk the chances of this proving true. With Park noting the significance of their names, it's possible that the meaning behind "no-eul" could tease her fate in season 3. With her joining the games as a pink guard, she is desperately searching for a glimmer of hope, something that her name hints at. Being symbolized by a sunset paints a picture of fading positivity, which ties directly to No-eul's struggles both in and out of the games.

Our Take On No-eul And Sae-byeok's Connection

The Meaning Behind Their Names Is More Interesting Than Their Potential Sisterhood

No-eul putting her guard costume in Squid Game season 2

No-eul and Sae-byeok sharing a last name is far less interesting than the symbolic juxtaposition between their first names. Contrasting Sae-byeok as a rising sun with No-eul as a fading sunset could serve as a prediction of the latter character's fate. Despite her name indicating a promising future, Sae-byeok did not survive in Squid Game season 1. Considering this irony, No-eul's name having the opposite meaning could mean that she will make it through her time as a pink guard and hopefully reunite with her daughter.

Source: Forbes