This unnamed woman is the elderly mother of Cho Sang-woo and the caretaker of Kang Cheol. She runs a fish shop with her son's namesake.
History[]
Cho Sang-woo's graduation. His mother can be seen on the right.
Sang-woo's mother is the owner of a small store selling dried fish. She is a loving and devoted mother who is very proud of Sang-woo's accomplishments, which makes him deeply afraid of disappointing her in any way. She isn't aware of his debts and believes that he's away on business in the United States. When the police tell her that they have a warrant for his arrest because of financial fraud, she is shocked and refuses to believe it, asserting her son's good nature when the police question his whereabouts. The only desires she expresses are for Gi-hun to take good care of his mother and for Sang-woo to be well.
When Sang-woo kills himself in the final game, his last request is for Gi-hun to help his mother. After Gi-hun returns to the neighborhood, he encounters Sang-woo's mother, who is shocked and worried upon seeing his injuries. She gives him some dried mackerel and informs him that she hasn't seen or heard from his mother for a couple of days. Gi-hun doesn't say anything and tries to give her some money, but she tells him to give it to his mom. As Gi-hun leaves, she asks him if he heard from her son, and he's unable to answer.
After Oh Il-nam’s death in 2021, Gi-hun brings Sae-byeok's little brother to be cared for by Sang-woo's mother. She asks him his name and tells him he looks like a tough boy. She agrees to look after him and takes a suitcase from Gi-hun. After Gi-hun has left, Sang-woo's mother gives the boy food and opens the suitcase to give him warmer clothes for the cold weather. When opening the suitcase, it's full of money that Gi-hun won in the Squid Games. It has a note that says it's the money Gi-hun owes Sang-woo.
Three years later, she is still caring for Cheol. Gi-hun watches from a distance as Cheol runs to his caretaker.
Personality[]
She is a caring mother who is very proud of her son. She refuses to believe it when she is informed of her son's crimes, indicating that she is very trusting of her loved ones. She also takes good care of Kang Cheol as if he were her actual grandson, even though they are not related at all. This implies that she is very sympathetic and kind, treating everyone with love no matter who they are.
Behind the scenes[]
Sang-woo's mother was portrayed by Park Hye-jin.