• September 26, 2025

Does the Baby in Squid Game Die? Kang Cheol's Fate Explained & Season 2 Implications

Okay, let's cut straight to the chase because I know that's why you're here, probably after that gut punch of an episode. You just watched Player 067, Kang Sae-byeok, meet her tragic end, and your brain is screaming: "What happens to her baby brother?! Does the baby in Squid Game die??" Seriously, that scene wrecked me too. The desperation in her voice, begging Gi-hun to find her brother... it was brutal. So, take a breath. I went deep into this rabbit hole to get you the definitive answer and everything else you'd wanna know.

The short, spoiler-free answer is NO. The baby, named Kang Cheol, does not die in Squid Game. He survives the events of the series. Phew, right? Honestly, if they'd killed off a baby, even in a show this dark, I think viewers might have revolted. But how does he survive? What exactly happens? Who ends up taking care of him? And why does his storyline even matter? That's what we're diving into.

I remember watching that final episode, feeling a massive knot in my stomach. Sae-byeok’s whole motivation was getting her brother out of that orphanage. After everything she went through, her brother *had* to be okay, right? Let’s break down exactly how Kang Cheol makes it through.

The Fate of Kang Cheol Explained (No Holds Barred)

Okay, so Kang Cheol is Sae-byeok's much younger brother. Their parents had fled North Korea, but tragedy struck – their mom died during the escape, and their dad got detained. Sae-byeok ended up in South Korea alone, leaving Cheol behind in an orphanage across the border in China. Her entire purpose for joining the deadly games? Winning the prize money to get her brother out of that orphanage and bring him to South Korea for a better life. Talk about high stakes.

Fast forward through the marbles game (sob!), and Sae-byeok is fatally wounded by Sang-woo. With her dying breaths in episode 9 ("One Lucky Day"), she makes Seong Gi-hun (Player 456) swear two promises:

  1. To win the games.
  2. To use some of the prize money to get her brother out of the orphanage and take care of her mom, if she was somehow still alive in North Korea.

Gi-hun, obviously shattered and traumatized, agrees. This promise becomes a huge deal for him later. Now, here's the critical part answering does the baby in squid game die: Gi-hun actually follows through.

  • After winning the games and getting his massive payout (though significantly reduced after his financial shenanigans and refusing to see his daughter), Gi-hun is a mess. He can't function for a whole year. Seriously, dude just sits in a cheap motel room staring at the money. Depressing, but relatable after that trauma.
  • Eventually, he remembers his promise to Sae-byeok. This is the turning point. He uses his resources (that obscene amount of cash) to track down Kang Cheol. Think private investigators, bribes, connections – things regular folks couldn't do.
  • He successfully locates Kang Cheol in the orphanage in China. We don't see the extraction mission, but it clearly happens without Cheol coming to harm. Honestly, thank goodness. Can you imagine the backlash if the show implied a baby got hurt during a rescue?
  • The Big Reveal: In the very final scene of Season 1, Gi-hun is getting ready to board a plane to see his daughter in Los Angeles. He stops to buy a gift and sees a little boy playing alone outside the shop. He buys the kid a present too. When he hands it over, the woman caring for the boy comes out. Guess who it is? Kang Cheol! And he's being cared for by Cho Sang-woo’s elderly mother. Gi-hun left Cheol and a huge chunk of money with her before his failed attempt to visit his daughter.

So, final confirmation: Does the baby in Squid Game die? Absolutely not. Kang Cheol is alive, safe, out of the orphanage in China, and living in South Korea under the care of Sang-woo's mother, financially supported by Gi-hun. He’s literally shown alive and well in the last few minutes of the season.

Seeing Cheol with Sang-woo's mom was such a complex moment. On one hand, huge relief the kid was safe. On the other... Sang-woo literally killed Sae-byeok, Cheol's sister. It felt incredibly bittersweet and kinda messed up. Like, was this really the best solution? But I guess Gi-hun, drowning in guilt and grief, thought providing stability (and massive funds) through Sang-woo's mom was the immediate fix. It definitely leaves a lump in your throat.

Why Kang Cheol's Survival Matters (More Than You Think)

It’s easy to think, "Okay, the baby lives, cool, moving on." But Kang Cheol isn't just a plot device; his survival serves some crucial purposes in the story, themes, and even our understanding of Gi-hun. Let’s unpack that.

He's the Embodiment of Hope and Humanity

Think about it. Squid Game is brutal. It’s about greed, desperation, and people turning on each other for survival. Really bleak stuff. Sae-byeok’s love for Cheol is one of the purest motivations in the entire show. It’s not about greed (mostly), it’s about familial love and sacrifice. Her final act is securing *his* future.

His survival represents the one pure, good thing that comes out of the absolute nightmare of the games. It’s a tiny flicker of hope and decency that survives the carnage. If Cheol had died, it would have felt like the games completely extinguished all light. His survival, against all odds, suggests that maybe not *everything* good is destroyed.

Honestly, without Cheol surviving, the ending would have been almost unbearably nihilistic. Even with Gi-hun's trauma, knowing Cheol is safe adds a crucial layer of bittersweetness instead of pure despair.

Gi-hun's Redemption Anchor

Let’s be real, Gi-hun is a flawed guy. Before the games, he was a gambling addict who neglected his daughter and stole from his elderly mother. During the games, he survived partly through luck and the sacrifices of others (Ali, Sae-byeok). After winning... he spiralled into guilt and depression.

Fulfilling his promise to Sae-byeok by rescuing Cheol is arguably Gi-hun’s first truly selfless, redemptive act with the prize money. It’s the thing that finally pulls him out of his stupor. It gives him a purpose beyond his own misery. It forces him to think about someone else – specifically, honoring the dying wish of a friend he failed to save.

Leaving Cheol with Sang-woo’s mother is complicated, sure, but the act of saving him and providing for him is fundamentally good. It’s the seed of the man Gi-hun becomes at the very end – the one who turns away from the plane and decides to fight back against the games. Protecting the vulnerable (like Cheol) becomes central to his new mission. You could argue Cheol's survival is the catalyst for Gi-hun's potential hero turn.

A Glimpse of the Future

Kang Cheol’s survival isn't just about tying up a loose end. He’s a living consequence of the games. Think about it:

  • He lost his sister directly because of the games.
  • He’s now being raised by the mother of the man who killed his sister, funded by the man who won the games his sister died in.

That's... intense. It sets up profound potential for Season 2. What happens when Cheol grows up? Will he learn the truth about how his sister died? How Sang-woo killed her? Who Gi-hun really is? The dynamics in that household (Sang-woo's mom, Cheol, Gi-hun's financial support, Gi-hun's potential involvement) are a powder keg waiting to explode narratively. His survival guarantees future storylines exploring the long-term, generational impact of the games.

For viewers wondering does the baby in squid game die, understanding that his survival is crucial setup, not just a happy ending, adds a lot of depth.

Behind the Scenes: The Baby Actor & Production Choices

Okay, moving beyond the story itself, there are some practical realities about how they portrayed Kang Cheol that are kinda interesting, especially considering how invested people get asking "does the baby in squid game die."

Playing a Baby on Screen

The actor who played Kang Cheol in the final scene is a real toddler, obviously. Casting a baby for such a pivotal, albeit brief, role comes with challenges. You need a baby who isn't fussy on set, can handle being around strangers and cameras, and ideally, looks the part. From what I've gathered looking into it, the production team likely used twins or multiple babies for the role (a super common practice with infant actors to manage strict working time regulations). This explains why Cheol looks slightly different between brief glimpses earlier and the final scene – probably different kids! They found a little guy (or guys) with that specific look Sae-byeok described to Ji-yeong about him resembling his dad.

CharacterRelationship to Kang CheolKey Actions/Decisions Regarding CheolImpact on Cheol's Fate
Kang Sae-byeok (Player 067)Older SisterJoined Squid Game to win money to rescue him from orphanage; Made Gi-hun promise to save him before dying.Primary Motivation for his rescue; Her death directly triggers Gi-hun's action.
Seong Gi-hun (Player 456)No Relation (Promise to Sae-byeok)Swore promise to Sae-byeok; Located Cheol in China after winning; Rescued him; Left him with Sang-woo's mother with substantial financial support.Direct Cause of Survival: Executed the rescue and ensured his care/funding.
Cho Sang-woo (Player 218)No Relation (Killed Sae-byeok)Mortally wounded Sae-byeok, preventing her from saving Cheol herself.Indirectly created the situation requiring Gi-hun's intervention; His mother becomes Cheol's guardian.
Sang-woo's MotherNo RelationUnknowingly takes guardianship of Cheol; Cares for him using Gi-hun's money.Provides Day-to-Day Care: Offers stability and a home, funded by the games.

Sensitivity Around Child Characters

Depicting harm to children, especially infants, is a massive taboo in storytelling for good reason. It’s deeply disturbing and often unnecessary. Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of Squid Game, pushed boundaries with violence, but even he recognized that showing harm to a baby would cross a line most audiences couldn't tolerate. It would shift the show from dark social commentary into deeply exploitative territory. Having Cheol survive was likely a deliberate choice to maintain a semblance of hope and avoid gratuitous shock value at that level. It also makes narrative sense, as discussed earlier. I think it was the right call, even if the situation he ends up in is complicated.

The Final Scene's Emotional Weight

The decision to reveal Cheol alive and well in the final moments wasn't accidental. It serves multiple purposes:

  • Provides Emotional Relief: After relentless tension and tragedy, it offers the audience one clear, unambiguous positive outcome. We *needed* that.
  • Highlights Gi-hun's Follow-Through: It visually confirms he kept his promise, showing a glimmer of his decency.
  • Creates Dramatic Irony/Tension: The audience knows the incredibly fraught backstory of how Cheol got there and who is caring for him (Sang-woo's mom!), while the characters in that scene (except Gi-hun) are oblivious.
  • Sets Up Future Conflict: As mentioned, this peaceful scene is a ticking time bomb of future drama when Cheol learns the truth.

So, while simply answering "does the baby in squid game die" with a "no" is factual, understanding the production choices behind his portrayal and survival adds layers to appreciating the storytelling craft.

Your Burning Questions Answered (Does the Baby in Squid Game Die? And More!)

So, definitively, DOES the baby in Squid Game die?

No. Kang Cheol survives the events of Squid Game Season 1. He is rescued from the orphanage in China by Seong Gi-hun and is living safely in South Korea under the care of Cho Sang-woo's mother.

Who is taking care of the baby after Squid Game?

Seong Gi-hun locates and rescues Kang Cheol. However, instead of raising him himself, Gi-hun leaves Cheol in the care of Cho Sang-woo's mother. Gi-hun provides her with a large amount of money (presumably from his winnings) to support Cheol's upbringing. This is shown in the final scene of Season 1.

Is it Sang-woo's mother specifically? Why her?

Yes, it is explicitly Sang-woo's mother. Why Gi-hun chose her is complex and not fully explained, sparking debate. Possible reasons:

  • Guilt over Sang-woo: Sang-woo (her son) killed Sae-byeok (Cheol's sister). Gi-hun might feel responsible or believe providing for Sang-woo's mother is a way to atone.
  • Seeking Stability: Sang-woo's mother ran a small shop and seemed kind and stable, albeit grieving. Gi-hun, traumatized and unstable himself, might have thought she offered a better environment than he could.
  • Practicality: He knew where she lived and trusted her character based on their earlier interaction (when he returned Sang-woo's gifts/money).
  • Symbolic Burden/Connection: It ties the fates of the victim (Sae-byeok), the perpetrator (Sang-woo), and the winner (Gi-hun) together in this child's life. It's messy, poignant, and sets up future conflict.
Personally, I still find it a hard pill to swallow. Leaving your dead friend's baby brother with the mother of the guy who murdered her? It feels like Gi-hun, overwhelmed, took the path of least resistance disguised as kindness. A messy solution for a messy situation, I guess.

Was Kang Cheol actually adopted?

The show doesn't explicitly state whether formal adoption papers were signed. However, the clear implication is that Sang-woo's mother has taken on the role of Cheol's guardian and primary caregiver, supported financially by Gi-hun. Whether this is a formal legal adoption or an informal custodial arrangement isn't specified, but he is effectively part of her household.

What's the baby's name?

His name is Kang Cheol. Sae-byeok mentions this name when talking about him to Ji-yeong (Player 240) during their conversation in the dormitory before the Marbles game.

How old is Kang Cheol supposed to be?

He's depicted as a toddler, likely around 2-3 years old during the events of Season 1. This fits with Sae-byeok's backstory timeline of leaving him in the orphanage when she escaped to South Korea years prior.

Where was Kang Cheol before Gi-hun found him?

He was living in an orphanage in China near the North Korean border. Sae-byeok had to leave him there when she fled to South Korea.

Will Kang Cheol be in Squid Game Season 2?

This hasn't been officially confirmed. However, given his survival, his connection to major characters (Sae-byeok, Gi-hun, Sang-woo's mother), and the immense potential for future storylines as he grows up and possibly learns the truth about his sister's death and his guardian's son, it seems highly likely he will play a role, potentially even a significant one as a teenager in future seasons. His existence is a direct, living consequence of Season 1's events.

Is it weird that Sang-woo's mom is raising him?

YES. It's intentionally weird and deeply ironic. It creates a fascinating and tense dynamic for potential future seasons. How will she react if she learns the full truth about her son Sang-woo's actions? How will Cheol react when he learns Sang-woo killed his sister? What will Gi-hun's role be? It's a storytelling goldmine built on a foundation of tragedy.

Kang Cheol's Journey: Key Facts at a Glance

Let's boil down the essentials about the Squid Game baby:

AspectDetailsConfirmed In
Full NameKang CheolEpisode 6 (Sae-byeok's conversation with Ji-yeong)
RelationshipYounger brother of Kang Sae-byeok (Player 067)Throughout Season 1 (Sae-byeok's motivation)
Location at Series StartOrphanage in China (near North Korean border)Episode 6 (Sae-byeok's backstory)
Sae-byeok's GoalWin Squid Game money to rescue him and bring him to South KoreaPrimary motivation for Sae-byeok
Critical MomentSae-byeok makes Gi-hun promise to save him while dying (Episode 9)"One Lucky Day" (Episode 9)
Does the baby in Squid Game die?NOFinal Scene (Episode 9)
Who Rescues Him?Seong Gi-hun (after winning)Implied by narrative (Episode 9)
Final GuardianCho Sang-woo's MotherFinal Scene (Episode 9)
Financial SupportProvided by Seong Gi-hunFinal Scene (Context)
Current Status (End S1)Alive, safe, in South Korea with Sang-woo's motherFinal Scene (Episode 9)
Future PotentialHigh - Likely storyline in Season 2 as he grows upNarrative setup

The Lingering Questions and Season 2 Speculation

Alright, so we know Kang Cheol lives. We know where he ends up. But does the baby in squid game die being settled actually opens up a whole can of worms for the future of the show. His survival isn't an endpoint; it's a massive setup. Here’s what keeps me up at night thinking about it:

The Ticking Time Bomb in Sang-woo's Mother's House

Imagine that household. Sang-woo's mother is grieving her brilliant, beloved son who she believes died mysteriously after achieving great success. She has no idea he became a murderer in a deadly game, killed Cheol's sister, or that the money supporting her and this new child in her care comes directly from that blood money. She's raising Kang Cheol with genuine love, thinking she's honoring her son's memory by caring for a child Gi-hun entrusted to her. It’s built on layers of tragic misunderstanding.

Now, picture Cheol growing up. He knows he has a sister who died trying to save him. At some point, won't he ask questions? Won't he want details? What happens when:

  • Cheol asks Sang-woo's mom, "What was my sister like?" or "How did she die?" Does she know? Will Gi-hun have told her?
  • Someone recognizes Cheol or makes a connection publicly? Sae-byeok was a known North Korean defector.
  • Gi-hun, now on his mission to expose the games, interacts more directly with them? He might feel compelled to tell the truth.

The moment Cheol learns that the son of the woman who raised him murdered his sister... that’s explosive drama. It could destroy his sense of identity and family. It could shatter Sang-woo's mother's world. How will Gi-hun handle that inevitable fallout? This is prime material for Season 2 or 3.

Gi-hun's Role and Responsibility

Gi-hun dumped Cheol with Sang-woo’s mom and a pile of cash. It solved an immediate problem, but it feels like a massive abdication of responsibility. He made a promise to Sae-byeok to take care of her brother. Leaving him with the mother of his sister's killer feels... incomplete, at best. Will Gi-hun step up more? Become a more active uncle figure? Or will his dangerous new mission to take down the games put Cheol in danger? The games clearly have long reach – could they target Cheol to get to Gi-hun? The question "does the baby in squid game die" might be answered for Season 1, but Season 2 could bring new threats. Gi-hun might realize that sending money isn't enough, especially if his actions draw danger.

Cheol's Potential Future Role

Could Kang Cheol eventually become a player himself? It seems unlikely given his age at the end of S1, but fast-forward 15 years. If he learns the truth about how his sister died and the system that enabled it (and funded his upbringing), could he seek revenge? Could he be targeted by the games organizers as a way to manipulate Gi-hun? Or, conversely, could he become an ally in Gi-hun's fight? His survival isn't just a feel-good ending; it plants a character seed that could grow into almost anything.

Thinking about this potential is fascinating and terrifying. The innocent toddler in the final scene could become central to the ongoing conflict. His survival assures his presence in the narrative future.

Why Getting This Answer Right Matters for Fans

You searched "does the baby in squid game die" for a reason. It wasn't just idle curiosity. That scene with Sae-byeok was emotionally devastating. Her character fought so hard, endured so much, driven purely by love for her brother. Her death felt meaningless and cruel. Knowing whether Cheol survived was crucial for processing that grief and finding some closure within the show's bleakness. Was her sacrifice ultimately in vain?

Finding out he did survive provides that sliver of meaning. It means Sae-byeok’s final act – extracting that promise – worked. Her love protected him even after she was gone. It makes her death marginally less unbearable. It allows us, as viewers, to mourn Sae-byeok without the added horror of imagining her baby brother lost and alone. It shifts the ending from pure despair to something more complex – tragedy laced with a fragile, precarious hope for the future embodied by that little boy playing outside the shop.

So, while the answer "no, the baby doesn't die" is simple on the surface, it carries significant emotional weight for anyone invested in Sae-byeok's journey and the humanity lingering within Squid Game's brutal world. It’s a small victory, hard-won and fragile, but a victory nonetheless against the crushing nihilism of the games. And honestly, after all that bloodshed, we needed it.

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