Even after the major twist at the end ofSquid Gameseason 1, Gi-hun still doesn’t suspect that Player 001 is a plant in season 2 of the hit Netflix series. InSquid Gameseason 1, Gi-hun became close friends with Player 001 in the games, and was heartbroken when he was seemingly killed. However, at the end of season 1, Gi-hun learned that Player 001, whose real name was Il-nam, was actually one of the people who created the games. This was a major twist at the end of season 1, which changed how audiences viewed the entire season.
Therecently releasedSquid Gameseason 2repeats this twist. However, this time, audiences know thatPlayer 001 is actually The Front Man inSquid Gameseason 2. The story ofSquid Gameseason 2 follows Gi-hun as he reenters the games in an attempt to help other players and form a rebellion against the Masked Men. To sabotage Gi-hun’s plan,The Front Man, whose real name is In-ho, also enters the game and pretends to align with Player 456. InSquid Gameseason 2,Gi-hun has no clue that Player 001 is actually the villainous Front Man in disguise.
Gi-hun Always Sees The Best In People Despite Everything That Happened
Gi-hun Is The Hero Of Squid Game
InSquid Gameseason 1, Gi-hun was introduced as a sometimes naive person who tends to see the best in everyone. He is very much the hero inSquid Game, and represents that archetype well. Gi-hun’s personality is arguably not ideal for the games, but he still wins in season 1. After the events of season 1, Gi-hun returns as a slightly different man in season 2. Between the events of seasons 1 and 2, Gi-hun was obsessed with putting an end to the games. Therefore,audiences meet a more serious version of Gi-hun inSquid Gameseason 2.
Is Squid Game Season 2 Better Than Season 1?
With all episodes of Squid Game season 2 available to stream on Netflix, debate has begun about how the new season compares to its predecessor.
Even though Gi-hun is different inSquid Gameseason 2, deep down, he is still the kindhearted man audiences rooted for throughout the first season of the show. Therefore, Gi-hun still trusts the other players in the game to do the right thing no matter what. It is shocking for him when other players inSquid Gameseason 2 continuously vote to continue the games. Throughout season 2,The Front Man wants to show Gi-hun that the games won’t end because new people will always want to play, which is a disappointing revelation forSquid Game’sheroic protagonist.
Gi-hun Believes Player 001’s Life Story (Because “Young-il” Was Being Sincere)
In-ho Tells Gi-hun A (Mostly) True Story About His Wife In Squid Game Season 2
In addition to Gi-hun choosing to see the best in Player 001, who goes by Young-il in the games, Player 001 also tells him a very believable story about why he joined the games. In-ho reveals to Gi-hun that his pregnant wife is sick and that they need money for a liver transplant. After learning about In-ho’s tragic story, it is completely understandable why he chose to join the games. Furthermore,In-ho’s story is believable because it is actually true. In-ho simply switched past tense to present tense to make Gi-hun believe that his wife was currently dying.
In-ho’s tragic story is so believable because he is speaking from the heart.
In reality,In-ho’s wife died years before the events ofSquid Gameseason 1. This led In-ho to participate in the 28th Squid Games as Player 132, which were held in 2015. In-ho ended up winning the games but his wife and potential child died anyways, which led to him eventually becoming The Front Man. Therefore, In-ho’s tragic story is so believable because he is speaking from the heart. In-ho actually reveals his biggest heartbreak to Gi-hun, which builds trust between the two players.
Gi-hun Has No Reason To Think Another Squid Game Leader Would Repeat Il-nam’s Plan
It Would Have Been Impressive If Gi-hun Figured Out The Front Man’s Identity In Squid Game Season 2
In-ho successfully manages to convince Gi-hun that he is a genuine man with a family on the outside which he wants to support. However, beyond In-ho’s story,Gi-hun simply has no reason to believe Player 001 would be another Squid Game leader. At the end ofSquid Gameseason 1, Il-nam, the previous Player 001, reveals to Gi-hun that he wanted to experience playing the games before he died. Therefore, there is no reason for Gi-hun to think that The Front Man would also choose to enter the games.
You Are Not Ready For Squid Game Season 3 (It Will Be Way Sadder Than Season 2)
Netflix’s Squid Game season 3 will be premiering in 2025, and there’s a possibility that it might have a sadder storyline than its sophomore season.
The Front Man’s plan inSquid Gameseason 2is quite absurd. Even though he has power over the Masked Men,In-ho’s safety is never guaranteed inSquid Gameseason 2. Therefore, it would be shocking if Gi-hun ever figured out In-ho’s plan all on his own. There is so much going on throughoutSquid Gameseason 2 that Gi-hun never has enough time to consider that Player 001, a man who has built trust with him, would actually be The Front Man.
Squid Game Season 3 Is Setting Up A Heartbreaking Reveal For When Gi-hun Finds Out
Gi-hun Will Be Crushed When He Learns Who The Front Man Really Is
The Front Man remains in character as Young-il until the veryend ofSquid Gameseason 2. He even helps Gi-hun and the others begin their rebellion against the Masked Men. It is not until Gi-hun and his close friend Jung-bae are almost at the manager’s office that In-ho decides to resume his role as The Front Man. At the end ofSquid Gameseason 2,In-ho tricks Gi-hun into believing he has died, then puts his Front Man mask back on. In-ho allows Gi-hun some sense of hope that his rebellion might work before taking it all away.
The post-credits scene in season 2 teases more games inSquid Gameseason 3, which will be released on Netflix in 2025.
At the end ofSquid Gameseason 2,In-ho stresses to Gi-hun that his hero campaign led to nothing but death. In-ho then kills Jung-bae right in front of Gi-hun. This is a crushing blow to Gi-hun right at the end of the season. However, Gi-hun still doesn’t know who The Front Man really is. When Gi-hun learns that The Front Man is actually Player 001, he will feel even more guilt over Jun-bae’s death. Learning The Front Man’s true identity will lead to one of the most heartbreaking moments inSquid Gameyet for Gi-hun.
Squid Game
Cast
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.
