Park Hae-soo

Park Hae-soo plays Cho Sang-woo in Squid Game. The contrast between Sang-woo's reputation and his circumstances gives Park useful territory: this is somebody accustomed to being considered capable who has reasons not to explain himself fully.

His television work includes Prison Playbook, Narco-Saints and Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area. Those roles build on a background in theatre, where he worked before becoming familiar to international streaming audiences.

In Squid Game, Park is especially effective when Sang-woo is listening. You can sense him evaluating a situation without being told exactly where the evaluation will lead. The reserve gives his scenes tension, while the connection with Gi-hun stops him becoming merely the person who understands the rules.