Did you know the deadly doll in Squid Game was inspired by designer’s daughter?

When you think of Squid Game, one of the first images that might come to mind is the innocent-looking doll from the iconic “Red Light, Green Light” game. With her bright orange dress, yellow top, and adorable pigtails, she quickly became a viral sensation, the face of the show's intense drama and deadly twist. But behind her seemingly sweet appearance lies a deadly role, this seemingly cute doll gunned down contestants who dared to move during the game.

What many may not know, however, is that this killer doll’s look was partly inspired by the production designer’s daughter. Reuters reported that Chae Kyoung-sun, who worked on Squid Game, revealed that her own daughter’s appearance played a crucial role in shaping the doll’s look. Chae explained that her daughter had a “bowl cut” for a long time, which she thought was incredibly cute. “I decided to draw a very short bang,” Chae said, adding that the doll’s large eyes were meant to make her more visible and chilling.

In fact, the inspiration for the doll, named Young-hee, is even further back. The character was initially conceived as genderless and was partly inspired by an illustration of a girl named Young-hee found on the cover of old primary school textbooks in South Korea. Despite this, it was Chae’s daughter’s look that added the finishing touch, turning the innocent figure into the doll that fans know today.

The first season of Squid Game, which became Netflix's most-watched show ever, skyrocketed the character of Young-hee to global fame. Her deadly role in the show combined with her seemingly sweet appearance became a standout moment. As Squid Game continued its journey, expectations for the second season were high, and the show did not disappoint. The second season, released on December 26, broke records, attracting 68 million views in its premiere week and contributing to the surge in Netflix subscribers.

Asked about the success of the show and particularly the doll’s role, Chae added, "how does this cute kid suddenly turn into a killing machine?" she mused. "I think the creation of the Squid Game world by adopting unpredictable concepts resonated with young people looking for fresh things.”

As viewers anxiously await the third and final season of Squid Game, Chae teased the introduction of a new character—Chul-su, a male doll set to appear alongside Young-hee. Originally designed for the first season, Chul-su will join forces with the infamous doll in the upcoming season. "Think of him as a friend, a partner," Chae shared, hinting at more deadly games to come.