Squid Game Moments That Made Us Beyond Angry

Contains spoilers for “Squid Game” Season 2

Even the most acclaimed series, like “Squid Game,” are not immune to criticisms. Despite its popularity among viewers and critics alike, there have been numerous instances where it fell short for some fans, who have voiced their disappointment and disapproval over certain aspects of the show – aspects that they found problematic, if not downright wrong. And we, too, have noticed these flaws.

There have been several blunders, unresolved storylines, and questionable plot decisions associated with the franchise that some viewers might find frustrating. Some fans may appreciate the reality game show aspect or the twist in the plot that left audiences questioning if the series is misogynistic, but others have boycotted it, swearing off the series entirely. To be honest, there have been certain instances in “Squid Game” that have made us just as frustrated and ready to join those viewers who refuse to watch the show anymore. Here are some moments in “Squid Game” that infuriated us about the Netflix phenomenon.

The ending of Season 2 has few fans

Critics and fans alike have expressed strong disapproval towards the climax of Season 2 in the hit series “Squid Game.” The creator has since come forward to justify his decision regarding the ending. In this finale, our hero Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) attempts a rebellion against the antagonist, the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), and his red-clad guards. However, despite stealing their weapons, the insurrection fails, with the Front Man emerging victorious. As punishment for Gi-hun’s actions, he executes Jung-bae (Leo Seo-hwan) in full view of our protagonist. The biggest source of ire among viewers is that Gi-hun remains unaware that the Front Man had disguised himself as In-ho, a character who developed a close relationship with our hero. In-ho feigned his own death to return to his secretive role, eliminating his “allies” during the game.

Users flocked to X, previously recognized as Twitter, to voice their dissatisfaction with the predictable, uneventful, and overly hyped finale of Squid Game season 2. “@parallaxcinemas” commented that the narrative fell short, despite the development of characters and relationships. They found these aspects lacking in depth, similar to the first season. Even the death scenes and games failed to impress, leading many to speculate that a third installment might not be well-received, given the poor ratings for the last episode on IMDb.

Apparently, contrary to what some viewers might think as a repetition of Oh Il-nam’s (O Yeong-su) Season 1 reveal in a seemingly unexpected twist, the show’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, sees it differently. He shared with Entertainment Weekly that he intentionally ended the season on a cliffhanger for a compelling reason: “I believed it was the perfect point to wrap up the story.” He emphasized that this ending was designed to excite audiences rather than frustrate them. We’ll see if his gamble pays off in the end.

Thanos’ general existence sparked controversy

Fans of the series “Squid Game” have found Thanos (Choi Seung-hyun or T.O.P.) a controversial character. Unlike other characters who’ve been criticized in earlier seasons, Thanos has received a significant amount of negative feedback during Season 2. This is largely due to his self-centered nature and traits that viewers have labeled as “annoying” or “grating.”

As Thanos, the rapper named after the Marvel villain, I found myself in a bind when my bitcoin investments tanked. In search of a fresh start, I turned to gaming – but boy, was I in over my head! The cutthroat nature of these games was far beyond anything I could have prepared for.

My involvement only seemed to stir up trouble for Gi-hun, the one trying to orchestrate a revolution and form his own squad. I couldn’t help but buck against his plans, causing him nothing but headaches. My disregard for the rules and my relentless cheating even led to the tragic deaths of several players.

When not indulging in some mysterious white powder hidden within a crucifix, I could often be found goofing off and living carefree. But as they say, all good times must come to an end. The trials are grueling, and my days of reckless abandon may soon catch up with me.

In this scenario, it’s clear that T.O.P’s character didn’t win over fans or critics, who debated on a “Squid Game” Reddit forum about what qualities made Thanos somewhat acceptable. The Korean media has been particularly critical, with one publication urging Seung-hyun to apologize to the global audience for his acting performance. While some fans praised T.O.P’s acting, pointing out that the character’s unpopularity demonstrated his success in the role, others remained indifferent to him. When his character meets a violent end in a bathroom fight at the hands of Lee Myung-gi (Im Si-wan), some viewers felt it came too late.

Kang Sae-byeok’s murder points toward an ugly trend

The demise of Kang Sae-byeok (Jung Ho-yeon) has long been considered one of the most heartbreaking, poignant, and dismal deaths in the series. However, this isn’t why many fans have grown to despise it. On the contrary, her character’s disappearance serves as a stark reminder of how women are often mistreated on Squid Game, and the fact that her sudden demise was primarily used to drive other characters forward rather than revealing her own character shortcomings.

In the final moments of the glass bridge game, Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo) fatally stabs Kang Sae-byeok, who had previously sustained a severe wound from an explosion. This tragic event serves as a catalyst for Gi-hun’s defiance against the game and is often referred to as a “fridging” technique, where a female character is killed or harmed solely to advance the male protagonist’s storyline, without any connection to her past as a thief or her present role as a loving friend and sister.

In “Squid Game,” both men and women meet a violent end, but many of the male characters die due to their arrogance or poor decisions. Only one woman, Mi-nyeo (Kim Joo-ryoung), and later Mi-na (Song Ji-woo), are killed out of anger or revenge. However, the deaths of Kang Sae-byeok, Se-mi (Won Ji-an), and Young-mi (Kim Si-eun) in Season 2 seem to serve as motivators for other characters rather than being essential to their stories. We’ll have to wait and see if they end up serving a larger purpose.

A camera man was left in during a pivotal Season 2 finale moment

This apparent oversight in editing, although minor, caused a slight stir among fans because it occurred during a crucial plot moment. In Episode 7 of Season 2, as Gi-hun rallies his rebellion, amidst flying debris and falling companions, a camera operator is noticeably present among the soldiers.

🕹️ As a dedicated fan of the Squid Game series, I can’t help but feel a pang as I hear whispers that a member of the production team might be leaving. It seems like one of the cameramen was unexpectedly in the spotlight during an episode, and now it looks like they’re out of the game 🎯💔.
— ryan 🤿 (@scubaryan_) January 6, 2025

In contrast to those who believe this apparent plot detail might be deliberate (considering the clients would surely want a close-up view of such action), it seems far more plausible that it’s an unintentional mistake. This oversight, which was overlooked until @scubaryan_ highlighted it, is annoying enough to warrant mention here. It’s disappointingly careless for a popular Netflix series – but if it somehow proves crucial in Season 3, we’ll gladly admit our error.

Player 388 Shape-Shifts

In the opening episode, following the game “Red Light, Green Light,” the remaining contestants collectively decide whether to continue playing, with the majority’s choice prevailing. After Gi-Hun casts his vote, a man identified as Player 388 is singled out. Initially, this man is older and has a paunch, but later in the series, character 388 transforms into Kang Dae-ho (played by Kang Ha-neul), who is neither middle-aged nor portly.

As a gamer, I find myself puzzled by the mysterious appearance of Kang Dae-ho in Season 2, Episode 4 of Squid Game. Could this be an intentional Easter egg hinting at his true identity? Some fans speculate that he might have been planted within the game by the Front Man as a guardian, considering he reappears just when the Front Man assumes his false persona and joins the game. On the other hand, some believe Dae-ho killed the original 388 to claim his spot. This is yet another instance of infuriating plot holes or ingenious foreshadowing through subtle details in the series, and only time will reveal the truth behind this intriguing enigma.

Squid Game: The Challenge

From its inception, “Squid Game” sparked debate among fans, who believe Netflix fails to grasp the anti-capitalist theme of the show. They argue that the series has been commercialized and even sanitized for marketing purposes, particularly with shows like “Squid Game: The Challenge.” This spin-off is a reality game show that mimics the intense games from the original series without the life-threatening consequences. Instead, contestants are eliminated when they fail challenges by triggering ink packs on their bodies, causing them to exit the game. The allure of a significant cash prize and children’s games played with fervor are other elements that link it to the source material.

The first season of “The Challenge” received a second season renewal due to its popularity, but it faced severe criticism from critics who found it boring. Many viewers shared this sentiment, describing it as disappointing and staged. To make matters worse, former contestants from Season 1 spoke out in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, alleging they were treated inhumanely and accusing the show of being rigged. The outcome of Season 2 will decide the fate of the series entirely.

What happened to Gi-hun’s red hair?

This small detail may not seem significant, but it symbolically shows the inconsistent way Gi-Hun’s character progression has been portrayed in the series. At the end of Season 1, Gi-Hun dyed his hair red as a sign of reinventing himself and mirroring his personal growth. However, by the time he’s living undercover and searching for information about the Front Man and his games, his hair has returned to its original dark color again.

Gi-Hun cut off his distinctive hair to blend in, avoiding the Games’ organizers. However, he continues to hide because he doesn’t want to become a target again. Interestingly, his character in Season 2 shows that he’s braver than ever, yet still quite gullible, which nearly gets him and his allies into trouble. This mirrors Gi-Hun’s character development ironically.

Gi-hun’s rebellion was poorly conceived

to put an end to the Squid Games, regardless of the method used. However, despite his months of planning for revenge, his poorly conceived strategy for a game-halting uprising is not surprising, as it ultimately falls flat, leaving behind a series of inconsistencies in the plot.

Why do his companions willingly join a mission with virtually no chance of survival and risk their only means of financial rescue? Why don’t they take precautions like searching for additional ammunition before entering the control room? It seems that Gi-hun doesn’t give much thought to the insurmountable odds he faces when attempting the impossible. Similarly, Kang Dae-ho experiences flashbacks only during their firefight with pink soldiers but remains calm during numerous sniper attacks throughout the competition – this suggests a lack of realism in their decision-making, which may have negative consequences for the final episodes of the show.

In the storyline, it seems a bit unexpected for Gi-hun to concur with eliminating some players who opted to remain in the game to safeguard the O’s, given his initial intention was to rescue everyone. However, let’s hope that Season 3 provides a more consistent narrative and addresses these apparent inconsistencies when it resolves the cliffhanger from Season 2.

2025-01-12 05:00