Let’s Talk About the Ending of Squid Game Season 2

As a seasoned viewer of Korean dramas and a passionate fan of Squid Game, I must say that this latest season has been nothing short of exhilarating! The plot twists, the suspense, and the heart-wrenching moments have kept me on the edge of my seat.

After the highly successful premiere of Squid Game, it remained uncertain if there was enough material to produce a second season. The creator-director, Hwang Dong-yuk, who had primarily worked on feature films such as the 2017 period war epic The Fortress, hadn’t initially intended to extend the storyline. With so much of the first season hinging on the shock value of witnessing the brutal and oppressive nature of the Squid Game, there was a question about whether a second season could once again evoke the same raw feelings from the unpredictability. Could it truly rekindle the intense emotions stirred by that initial uncertainty?

For those doubters, there was no need to worry. Although Squid Game Season 2 shares some similar plot elements with the initial season, this tale takes a distinct turn, concluding in an unexpected place. The main character has undergone significant transformation from the Gi-hun who participated in the Squid Game of Season 1, and we will explore every twist and turn that unfolded during the intense, action-packed finale of Squid Game’s second season. Let’s delve into what these developments could imply for the upcoming Season 3.

Why does The Front Man join the game?

A significant portion of the suspense in Squid Game Season 2 arises from the introduction of Hwang In-ho, or the Front Man, Player 001, as a participant in the Squid Game. Although the Front Man was a past victor of the game, by the time we encounter him in Season 1, he has risen through the ranks to become a key figure within the game’s inner circle.

In Season 2 of “The Front Man,” his decision to participate is prompted by Gi-hun’s personal invitation to play the game. This participation seems beneficial for the show’s under-the-table betting market, as Gi-hun being a returning champion increases interest. However, Gi-hun is an unpredictable character. Unlike other contestants who are primarily interested in winning money, Gi-hun aims to dismantle the entire operation. The Front Man might try to control Gi-hun from behind the scenes, but it’s more effective for him to do so as a fellow competitor and potential ally. As the season unfolds, we observe how the Front Man gradually gains Gi-hun’s trust and then exploits that trust to subtly manipulate him.

The tension between the “X”s and the “O”s reaches violent heights in the Season 2 finale

In Season 2 of Squid Game, one captivating modification in the contest’s regulations allows players to cast a vote following the conclusion of each round. If more than half of the players decide to withdraw, the game terminates, and the remaining players divide the prize money that has been amassed up until that point.

After the first two rounds of voting, the players opt to carry on. However, the vote post-third round results in a deadlock. The day after the season finale, the contestants are told they’ll have another vote the next day to resolve the tie. Tensions escalate: Initially, there’s a sanctioned fight among men in the bathroom that favors the “X” team slightly in numbers. Later, when the dorm lights go off for the night, the “O” team assaults the “X” team, hoping to reduce their opponents and secure an “O” triumph in the following vote. For every participant eliminated during these unusual games, extra money is added to the prize fund, fueling this aggressive conduct.

Let’s Talk About the Ending of Squid Game Season 2

Gi-hun leads a rebellion against the Squid Game guards

The majority of participants in the Squid Game find themselves with only two choices: remain in the game, battling to stay alive and earn additional funds, or depart with the money they’ve gathered so far to lead a normal life. In contrast, Gi-hun perceives an alternative path. He is willing to gamble his life to dismantle the game itself. Gi-hun is aware that, after some contestants have killed each other, security personnel will eventually intervene. He guides a small group of fighters to evade conflict, allowing their fellow competitors to face potential death, and instead focuses their efforts on overpowering the unaware guards. They seize the guards’ weapons and make their way towards the control room.

Gi-hun loses, and Jung-bae dies

From the very beginning, it seemed as though success was an impossible goal due to several unfavorable circumstances. Not only were there more guards than contestants, but the leader himself turned out to be a traitor. During the conflict, he manipulated events subtly, using his power to sway the outcome – although it should be mentioned that in the process, he did shoot and likely kill some of his own employees. When Player 388, Kim Dae-ho (Kang Ha-neul), who claimed to be a former Marine, became paralyzed with fear in the fight, the rebels were quickly eliminated one by one.

At the end of the rebellion’s unsuccessful attempt, it’s Jung-bae (played by Lee Seo-hwan) who meets his demise, fatally shot by the Front Man, who puts on his boss mask one last time, all witnessed by Gi-hun. This moment is deeply impactful for both the audience and Gi-hun. Throughout this season, Jung-bae resembles Gi-hun in many aspects: a divorced father striving to regain control of his life, unwilling to take any lives in the process. His death leaves a thematic resonance not only in the finale but likely extending into the next season as well.

The Front Man knows just how devastating a blow this is for Gi-hun.While Gi-hun values all life, Jung-bae isn’t just another contestant; he is an old friend. They were on strike together years ago, a period that was a major turning point in Gi-hun’s life. In a conversation the Front Man overhears between Gi-hun and Jung-bae earlier in the season, we learn that Jung-bae was responsible for Gi-hun’s entry into betting on horse races. In that same scene, Jung-bae expresses regret for not being able to give Gi-hun money when he stopped by his pub, prior to the start of the Squid Game, in Season 1.

At the end of the season, Gi-hun finds himself in profound sadness. Not only did he fall short of achieving his two main objectives (winning the game and saving everyone), but he also lost a dear friend who put faith in him and met an untimely death due to his actions. When the Front Man posed the question to Gi-hun, “Are you proposing that we make a small sacrifice for the greater good?”, Gi-hun agreed. For the Front Man, this conclusion was a positive one; it seemed like happiness to him.

Who is the Fishing Boat Captain working for?

In the final episode of the season, I discovered that the fishing captain I’ve been relying on during my search for the Squid Game island is actually a spy. One of my hired men caught him meddling with a search drone, and instead of explaining himself, he ruthlessly stabbed him and threw him overboard. It seems likely that he’s working for those who orchestrate the game, and his previous “rescue” of me three years ago might not have been as altruistic as it appeared. Could it be that he was sent by In-ho, aka the Front Man, to save my brother whom I had shot earlier?

Who dies in Squid Game Season 2?

Just like the captivating series “Squid Game,” I find myself drawn into a world where survival is paramount. The bathroom brawl claims another life, this time taking down fan-adored character Thanos, portrayed by T.O.P, the rapper. His demise will undoubtedly fuel Season 2 memes.

In the aftermath of the uprising, Guard 246, or Lee Jin-uk’s alter ego Gyeong-seok, was fatally wounded by one of his fellow guards. Yet, there’s a possibility that Park Gyu-young’s character, No-eul – a North Korean defector and guard with allegiance to his cause as the father of an ill child – may have some role in ensuring Gyeong-seok’s survival for Season 3.

Who survives Squid Game Season 2?

The players left standing include: trans woman and impressive fighter Hyun-ju (Park Sung-hoon) and Dae-ho, who were back in the dorms when the guards took out the remaining rebels. Mother-son duo Geum-ja (Kang Ae-sim) and Yong-sik (Yang Dong-geun), pregnant contestant Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri) and her crypto YouTuber Myung-gi (Yim Si-wan). And of course Gi-hun and the Front Man.

Beyond the island, Jun-ho continues his hunt for the elusive Squid Game, oblivious to the fact that the fishing captain he relies on is actually a traitor. Yet, he retains the support of kind-hearted gangster Woo-seok, played by Jeon Seok-ho.

Will there be a Season 3?

Netflix has already filmed a Season 3 of Squid Game, with plans to release it in 2025.

What does the Season 2 finale post-credits scene mean?

In the concluding sequence of Season 2, a band of competitors (which includes Players 100, 096, and 353) are seen entering another game, hinting at further rounds ahead. Notably, a large girl doll, familiar to viewers from the Mugunghwa games in both Seasons 1 and 2, appears, but this time there’s also a second giant doll in the scene. Both figures are based on characters from a popular Korean children’s educational book series. The girl is named Young-hee, and the boy is Cheol-su. The appearance of Cheol-su in the upcoming game suggests ominous implications.

2024-12-26 15:06

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