Season 2 of “Squid Game” is approaching! A look back at the explosive end of season 1, between betrayals, shocking revelations and questions left unanswered.
Season 2 of Squid Game is fast approaching, and the anticipation is at its peak. The South Korean thriller that captivated millions of viewers returns on December 26.
Before diving into these new episodes, let's look back at the notable moments from the finale of the first season. Between betrayals, revelations and unanswered questions, here is everything fans need to remember to understand the issues to come.
A final bloody duel between childhood friends
The bloody and heartbreaking ending of season 1 saw Seong Gi-hun aka 456 (Lee Jung-jae) face off against his former friend Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo) in the game. After a series of brutal ordeals, the two men meet for one last confrontation.
Gi-hun, driven by rage and a desire for justice, gains the advantage. Yet when given the opportunity to kill Sang-woo to achieve victory, he chooses to forfeit the game, preferring that the two could leave the arena alive.
But Sang-woo, overwhelmed by his own actions, commits suicide, leaving Gi-hun in charge of his last wishes: to take care of his mother. This conclusion marks a bitter victory for Gi-hun, now the holder of 45.6 billion won (more than 30 million euros), but deeply marked by the horrors he has seen and experienced.
Well John | Netflix Sang-woo in the final test
Gi-hun, winner despite himself
If Gi-hun leaves the game richer than he could have hoped, he is far from fulfilled. Back in reality, he discovers that his mother has died, leaving him alone and overwhelmed with guilt.
For an entire year, he lived in seclusion, unable to use his immense fortune. It's only when he receives a mysterious invitation, signed by Oh Il-nam – the old man with the number 001 in the game – that he decides to seek answers. This journey confronts him with heartbreaking revelations.
Netflix screenshot The Front Man
The chilling revelations about the Front Man and Oh Il-nam
One of the most notable moments of this finale is the discovery of the role of Oh Il-nam (Oh Yeong-su), the one who claimed to be one of the most vulnerable participants. Gi-hun learns that Il-nam is actually one of the creators of the games, orchestrated to entertain a wealthy elite.
Il-nam's explanation, evoking the boredom and despair of the ultra-rich, only accentuates the horror of this machination. Shortly after this confession, Il-nam succumbs to a real brain tumor, leaving Gi-hun to face his disillusionment.
For his part, the Front Man, an enigmatic and ruthless character, is revealed to be Hwang In-ho (Lee Byung-hun, extremely famous in South Korea), a former winner of the Squid Game but above all the brother of the police officer Hwang Jun-ho ( Wi Ha-joon).
The latter, infiltrated in the Squid Game organization, is confronted by In-ho in a tragic face-to-face which ends with a gunshot. Jun-ho, injured in the shoulder, falls into the water from the top of a cliff and we don't know what becomes of him.
Netflix screenshot Gi-hun on the path to revenge
Gi-hun's decision: flee or face the game?
The final scene of season 1 shows Gi-hun – his hair dyed an unlikely red – about to fly to the United States to reconnect with his daughter. However, seeing the Recruiter (Gong Yoo) in action with a new victim, he changes his mind.
In a gesture of defiance, he calls the organizers of the games to let them know that he does not intend to let them do it. This decision paves the way for season 2, foreshadowing a fight against the system that has destroyed so many lives.
With these elements in mind, Squid fans can approach season 2 with full knowledge of the issues and the characters' traumas. The mystery remains: will Gi-hun succeed in bringing down the organization? Will the Front Man play an even more central role? Response on December 26.
