The identity of the female contestant who captured T.O.P's attention in 'Squid Game 2' has become a major topic of interest.

On December 26, Netflix released 'Squid Game Season 2,' in which T.O.P played "Thanos," a rapper who lost his fortune due to failed cryptocurrency investments. His character quickly gained widespread attention.

Before the games began, Thanos caught viewers’ eyes by showing interest in a female contestant. During the 'Red Light, Green Light' game, he performed a rap serenade directed at her, which went viral online. Clips of Thanos’s rap have since circulated widely on social media and community forums.

The contestant T.O.P courted also stood out with her bold personality, declaring, "I like pink," as she admired the pink uniforms worn by the guards. During the game, she exclaimed, "Oh no, I moved!" while trying to avoid a bee but ultimately failed. She became the first fatality in 'Squid Game 2,' marked as Contestant 196, portrayed by actress Song Ji Woo—best known for her role in 'The Glory.'

Song Ji Woo previously played the younger version of stewardess Hye Jeong (played by Cha Joo Young) in 'The Glory,' earning praise for her striking resemblance to her senior counterpart. Her performance in Squid Game 2 further cemented her rising popularity.

During an interview with Xports News at the height of 'The Glory’s fame, Song Ji Woo shared her gratitude: "From the moment I was cast in The Glory until now, every day has been amazing. That’s actually a line from 'Goblin.' Writer Kim Eun Sook is brilliant." She also expressed happiness about being recognized for her work after the show’s release.

Reflecting on her strong impression through her 'The Glory' role, she said, "In 'The Glory,' I wore bangs. I plan to appear without bangs in future projects," teasing a fresh new look for her upcoming work.

In addition to 'The Glory,' Song Ji Woo has showcased her range in dramas like 'The Forbidden Marriage,' 'Love to Hate You,' 'Doctor Slump,' 'Dreaming of a Freaking Fairy Tale,' 'Love Andante,' and 'Gangnam B-Side.'

Fans who uncovered her identity in 'Squid Game 2' expressed delight and surprise, commenting, "No wonder she’s so beautiful—she’s Hye Jeong!" and "She looks stunning in both dramas but in totally different ways."

Song Ji Woo actively promoted 'Squid Game 2,' posting a photo of herself in a green tracksuit with pink nail art and captioning it, "I like pink♥," after the show’s release.

Despite her character’s early death, fans were quick to voice their disappointment, saying, "It’s such a shame she died so soon," "She needed to stay alive for Thanos to pull himself together," and "She’s so charming—why did Netflix write her off so early?"

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