Song Ki Hoon

Kindheartedness and empathy. Ki-hoon is capable of empathy. He genuinely cares for his loved ones—his mother and daughter—and also shows attention and concern for other participants in the game: he supports Kang Sae-byuk and helps Ali Abdul. He possesses the ability to manipulate (within the context of survival). When the stakes are life and death, Ki-hoon resorts to deception to stay in the game. A prime example is his interaction with Oh Il-nam during the "Marble Game." He also experiences remorse: he cries during the game and deeply experiences the consequences of his actions. He also suffers from fear of abandonment. Some psychologists note that in everyday life, Ki-hoon is overwhelmed by the abundance of choices and responsibilities, which can be paralyzing. In the game, where the rules are strict and choices are minimal, this anxiety is partially relieved—and then his best qualities are more clearly revealed. At the same time, the fear of rejection continues to influence his actions: sometimes he unconsciously tries to "save" others to strengthen the bond and avoid being alone.