What We Desperately Need to Know in Squid Game Season 2
People are excited for December to come for Christmas, holiday festivities, and time to be with family and friends, fans of the most popular non-English TV series on Netflix are excited for Squid Game season 2, set to premiere on December 26, 2024.
Before we delve into questions from season 1 that we need answers to, let’s do a quick recap of the first season.
Squid Game Season 1 Recap
For those who need a refresher (totally understandable, since season 1 aired three years ago), Squid Game introduced us to a group of financially desperate individuals lured to participate in a series of sadistic and deadly childhood games. These participants were easily seduced into playing because the prize was a life-changing amount of money, more than enough to pay for debts, cover medical bills, dodge arrest for financial fraud, and rescue their family from North Korea—if they survived.
By the end of season 1, Seong Gi-Hun (played by Lee Jung-Jae) emerged as the victor, but the games traumatized him. Despite his efforts, he wasn’t able to save his mother, who was one of the reasons why he joined. After a year of winning the game, Gi-Hun was about to fly to the USA to see his daughter but saw the Salesman recruiting again for the game. He decided against leaving and vowed to destroy the game.
Will We Get to Know More About Gong Yoo’s the Salesman?
In Squid Game season 1, we saw Gong Yoo in the first and last episodes only. We know he’s the one recruiting desperate people to the game. He’s featured prominently in one of season 2’s trailers, making us hope his screen time in the next season 2 will be longer.
What is the Front Man’s Backstory?
In season 1, we discovered through his brother’s investigation that the Front Man, Hwang In-Ho (played by Lee Byung-Hun) was once a player in the game and even won in 2015. While he now oversees the deadly competition, it’s unclear if he immediately became the Front Man after winning. It’s also uncertain whether he joined the game’s organizers because he’s not able to live a normal life anymore after winning.
However, I have a theory that he was forced into the role. At the end of episode 8 when he shot his brother police officer Hwang Jun-Ho (portrayed by Wi Ha-Jun), he targeted his shoulder only. Sure, his brother fell off a cliff, but his possibility of surviving seems higher than if he had been shot in the head or any vital organs.
The Front Man clearly doesn’t want his brother to die. He likely believed that Jun-Ho had a better chance of surviving the fall than if he were captured by the people he was serving.
Will Hwang Jun-Ho Reunite with His Brother?
Having first-hand experience with how brutal the games can be, Jun-Ho might struggle to come to terms with In-Ho’s participation in the deaths of hundreds of people, forced or not. However, given everything he’s been through to find his brother, he might be willing to listen to his explanations first before passing judgment.
Does Seong Gi-Hun’s Daughter Ever Forgive Him for Not Following Her to America?
One of Gi-Hun’s main reasons to stay alive is his daughter. Since he was about to follow her to America but didn’t, will he still be able to reunite with her if he survives the games a second time? Since he can’t reveal the real reason why he did not board his flight, will she be able to understand whatever reason he tells her?
What Happened to Past Winners of the Game?
During Jun-Ho’s investigation of the island, he saw a room with the files of past players and winners. What happened to the other victors? Do they live out their lives spending their money, or are they recruited to work for the organization, like the Front Man? Hopefully, we can see more past winners return in Squid Game season 2 as Gi-Hun’s trump cards disabling the organization (like some of the victors in The Hunger Games who overthrew President Snow).
Mark Your Calendars for Squid Game Season 2
With so many unanswered questions and new players joining (Yim Si-Wan, Kang Ha-Neul, Park Sung-Hoon, Yang Dong-Geun), Squid Game season 2 is shaping to be another must-watch. Fans are eagerly waiting to see if season 2 will live up to the hype and will this season bring the answers we’ve all been waiting for.
