Why Killing The Recruiter Ruined ‘Squid Game’ Season 2: A Missed Opportunity

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As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my thoughts on the post-modern take needed by Squid Game, following its intriguing first chapter. The grim fate of the characters in the game left no doubt about their demise, eliminating the need for an autopsy. However, the show itself seems to have lost some of its initial sparkle and intensity that once made it a global sensation.

While not entirely disappointing, the second season hasn’t stirred up as much buzz as its predecessor. This perceived decline can be attributed to the widespread belief that the series didn’t necessitate further exploration. In the eyes of many fans (and some critics), the story of Gi-hun was ideally suited for a miniseries, providing a satisfying conclusion without the need for continuation.

Nevertheless, it’s clear why Netflix chose to extend the series past what might seem like its natural ending. Just as any prudent movie and television business would, Netflix values financial success above fan sentiment, so Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) found himself continuing his search for The Front Man instead of rejoining his family. The figures supported Netflix’s decision, as Season 2 garnered 68 million views within three days, surpassing the highest premiere viewership recorded by Wednesday (50.1 million views in its first week).

In simpler terms, business was doing well, however, the latest update could have been even better with a few adjustments. One aspect that could use improvement is the character’s demise – The Recruiter or The Salesman.

Or

Business was going smoothly, but there were areas in the new section where improvements could be made. One of these areas involves the unfortunate death of our character, The Recruiter or The Salesman.

Gi-hun Returns to the Games in Season 2, With Deadly Consequences

Season 1 of Squid Game concludes with Gi-hun emerging victorious from the intense competition. This triumph offers a ray of hope in a society grappling with financial difficulties that seems to have lost its luster. Remarkably, he decides to renounce worldly delights and instead dedicates himself to pursuing justice. On the verge of embarking on a flight to Los Angeles, where he intends to reunite with his daughter, he encounters The Recruiter, a ruthless individual who exploits debt-laden and psychologically vulnerable individuals for these games.

Gi-hun spots a man engaged in a game of ‘ddakji’ with a possible contestant, then extends him a card. Annoyed, he snatches the player’s invitation card and dials the number on it, confronting the person responsible for organizing the games. The Supervisor recommends Gi-hun to rethink his plans and catch his flight, but the character hangs up and goes back to the airport terminal instead.

In the beginning of Season 2, we witness Gi-hun disabling his tracker and Hwang Jun-ho miraculously surviving a fall from a cliff. Fast forwarding two years ahead, Gi-hun now resides in meager circumstances within an old, fortified hotel building. Among those working for him are Mr. Kim, Gi-hun’s previous loan shark, and some henchmen whose job is to locate The Recruiter. Gi-hun believes that if he can find The Recruiter, it will lead him to The Front Man – the man responsible for organizing the games. This, in turn, would allow Gi-hun to kill The Front Man, effectively putting an end to these life-threatening contests forever.

1. Gi-hun eventually locates The Recruiter and subsequently, they have a heated exchange. However, Gi-hun manages to survive this encounter.

2. After his initial attempt to find The Front Man at a Halloween Party proves unsuccessful, our hero decides to rejoin the games as a participant instead. Meanwhile, Hwang Jun-ho keeps tabs on him using a tracker secretly planted within him.

The plan is straightforward: Jun-ho and his team will storm the location when Gi-hun shows up. However, they face an unexpected problem because Gi-hun’s tracker has been taken off, leaving them clueless about where the main character has been relocated. As a result, Gi-hun finds himself in trouble again. In this dire situation, he devises a strategy of quiet compliance, guiding his fellow contestants while secretly planning a violent uprising for freedom.

Season 2 Looked More Promising When The Recruiter Was Alive

In Season 2, I only encountered The Recruiter during the opening episode. Quite intriguingly, this episode turned out to be the highest-rated of the season on IMDb, garnering a staggering 15,000 ratings compared to the rest which have around 11,000 or fewer. It seems that a larger audience found it appealing, likely due to its exploration of uncharted territories. Instead of the usual pattern where people are simply snatched and led to the games, we were treated to a suspenseful cat-and-mouse chase involving The Recruiter and Gi-hun’s associates, reminiscent of noir storylines.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I found the Recruiter to be one of the most detestable characters introduced during the second season, embodying the quintessential villain role flawlessly in his brief stint. Similar to his fellow colleagues, he exhibited exceptional skills and unwavering loyalty, particularly when it came to his unsettling admiration for The Front Man. Wisely, the show chose not to delve into his moral compass, instead allowing us a glimpse into his methods of operation.

Earlier, he was merely a man offering desperate individuals chances. However, in this instance, his actions become more thought-provoking yet ruthless. A scene unfolds where he offers homeless people a choice between bread or a lottery ticket, which is deeply moving. Most opt for the tickets but end up not winning, resulting in him crushing the loaves of bread. This leaves them empty-handed and despondent. Yet, this cold-hearted behavior only serves to make The Recruiter a more captivating character due to his lack of compassion.

Subsequently, we encounter a sequence where The Recruiter effortlessly overpowers two men that Gi-hun had employed to follow him. In a series typically characterized by gun violence, it was refreshing to see a martial artist take center stage. Following this, he apprehends the men and subject them to a harrowing game of Russian Roulette. The ensuing showdown between The Recruiter and Gi-hun at his residence is particularly noteworthy, standing out as one of the most nerve-wracking hero-villain encounters in TV drama.

The series veers off course when The Recruiter decides to engage in a game of Russian Roulette with Gi-hun. Such a shrewd individual ought not to have placed himself in a predicament where he couldn’t predict the outcomes. Unfortunately, he becomes the unfortunate one, which is regrettable as the series could have been stronger with him still alive. Ideally, a second season could have focused on The Recruiter’s competition with Gi-hun in the bustling streets of Seoul, with his death occurring only in the finale. This would have provided viewers with something more engaging and unexpected.

Gong Yoo is not just any Korean actor; he’s one of the best ever produced. Releasing him from our screens so early felt like a missed opportunity. Known globally for his gripping performance in the chilling zombie film, “A Train to Busan,” Yoo has been captivating audiences in Korea for nearly two decades.

The overwhelmingly positive feedback on Gong Yoo’s acting in Season 2’s premiere episode suggests a strong case for extending the character, The Recruiter, throughout the entire season. One fan expressed their admiration for his “extraordinary” acting abilities, while another highlighted that it was Gong Yoo’s debut as a psychotic villain, and the role he played was remarkable in its depth.

Series Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk‘s Initial Comments Explain Why Season 2 Didn’t Turn Out as Good

It’s clear that the show “Squid Game” is truly remarkable, offering a clever portrayal of a repressive society enhanced by vibrant visual effects. The mastermind behind it, Hwang Dong-hyuk, displays a knack for intricate character development, intense violence, and wide-ranging humor.

While the Korean series was good, there’s room for improvement in its production, particularly with Season 2. It appears that the creator intended to conclude the story with Gi-hun reuniting with his daughter and realizing he can’t change the people who run the games. Given his luck at escaping and earning money, it seems he should now concentrate on living his life more fully.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Dong-hyuk said:

To be truthful, I hadn’t laid out extensive plans for a second season while working on the first one.

Following Season 2, he admitted to The Independent that he was growing weary of the specific fictional universe. Consequently, fans shouldn’t anticipate any further installments after the forthcoming third season.

I’m absolutely drained. I can barely keep my eyes open. To be honest, I’ve had it up to here with Squid Game. I’m tired of creating, I’m tired of pushing for something. So, at the moment, I’m not focusing on my next endeavor. Instead, all I can think about is escaping to a secluded island where I can enjoy some peace and quiet, away from any calls or messages from Netflix.

I can’t help but feel that Dong-hyuk’s remarks hint at the fact that the narrative for Season 2 didn’t resonate deeply with him, as the first season did. It was a masterful piece, brimming with warmth, emotion, and wisdom – a testament to an auteur at the pinnacle of his prowess. Unfortunately, I can’t help but sense that Season 2 wasn’t quite up to par. Despite the fact that it seems he was compelled by obligations to Netflix, he managed to deliver a decent product even when it seemed like he was dragging himself to the finish line.

Subtly powerful yet accumulatively heartbreaking, the second season is crafted to stir tears from many, particularly during its emotional season finale. However, it leaves room for improvement. Here’s hoping that the third installment will be more impactful, offering a historic showdown between Gi-hun and The Front Man.

Currently, spectators can’t help but ponder over what might have transpired if The Recruiter had the chance to deliver more punches, dropkicks, and heartfelt monologues, especially about his father.

A man I had encountered was someone who had met a tragic end, and I found myself preparing to take his life, but something felt oddly familiar about him. It turned out to be my father. Here I was, pointing a weapon at the very person who had brought me into the world. He pleaded tearfully for mercy, sparing his life. Can you guess what happened next? In that moment, I pulled the trigger and shot him, right between his eyes. That’s when it hit me: “I suppose I was born for this.

Regrettably, we must make do with what we’ve been provided. Sadly cut short, The Recruiter will always hold a cherished spot in our collective TV art gallery.

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2025-01-18 23:33