As a long-time fan of Korean drama and someone who has closely followed the meteoric rise of Squid Game since its release, I am beyond excited for Season 2! But, being a seasoned viewer of numerous K-dramas, I have learned to expect the unexpected.
The idea of a “Squid Game” Season 2 has long been controversial. Many argued that the first season was so perfect and self-contained that it needed no continuation at all. At the same time, the mythology introduced by Season 1 was so fascinating that further exploration seemed like a great idea to a lot of fans. Regardless of which camp you stood on, “Squid Game” was the kind of massive TV success that couldn’t not get a follow-up, and, three years later, that follow-up is finally here, with Season 2 set to arrive all in one swoop to the homes of Netflix subscribers on December 26, 2024.
In a three-year hiatus, the upcoming season resumes with protagonist Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) returning to the Squid Games for their 36th installment. As before, he’ll compete against 455 distressed participants in lethal contests. However, this time, we can expect a shift in Gi-hun’s reasons, the game’s structure, and the broader narrative. Speculations among fans are running rampant about how the second season will unfold. A widely accepted fan theory is that Detective Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon), who seemingly perished in Season 1, has miraculously survived and is still probing the games. Other predictions are yet to be validated or disproved. Here are some intriguing speculations about Squid Game Season 2 that have been circulating.
The salesman could be getting a much bigger role
Without a doubt, the character who leaves the greatest impression relative to screen time in the first season of “Squid Game” is the enigmatic recruiter, responsible for drawing Gi-hun into the Games and another man in the season finale. This character remains shrouded in mystery, with minimal information provided; he’s a former staff member who received a promotion, as per writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk. However, his portrayal by renowned actor Gong Yoo and appearances in Season 2 promotional materials have sparked speculation among fans about an expanded role for this character in the upcoming season.
In terms of industry economics, it might seem odd to have Gong Yoo play such a minor role if there are no plans to expand his character in future episodes. However, even without that consideration, the idea of giving the recruiter a larger role in Season 2 of “Squid Game” is intriguing because he represents the enigma and allure of the Games themselves. He’s a mysterious piece of the puzzle that appears without any backstory or explanation about his connection to the bigger picture. If he returns in more episodes, we might uncover whether he’s the only recruiter, how his lack of anonymity doesn’t hinder him, why he seems so cheerful about his job, and other important details that build the world of the series.
Gi-hun could become the new Front Man
Season 2 of “Squid Game” is shrouded in mystery, but we know that protagonist Gi-hun will return to the deadly games after his intense victory in Season 1. The latest Netflix trailer hints that he may re-enter voluntarily, contradicting years of fan theories suggesting an outside world setting focusing on Gi-hun’s revenge against the game creators. Instead, it appears that Gi-hun will attempt to dismantle the Games from within, uniting the players and safeguarding them from its merciless mechanisms. However, some “Squid Game” enthusiasts are still pondering if there could be more in store for Gi-hun than just being a pawn once again.
Since Season 1 disclosed that Hwang In-ho (Lee Byung-hyun), also known as the Front Man, was the 2015 Games winner, a widely held theory suggests that the show’s storyline would eventually culminate in Gi-hun being offered the position of the new Front Man. Some speculated this might have occurred during the three-year time gap between seasons, but now that we know it didn’t happen then, there’s still a chance Gi-hun could receive this offer at some point in his new role as a contestant – maybe even on the season finale.
Gi-hun’s role in rejoining the Games may not be as subversive as it appears
It’s commonly believed that since Season 1 of “Squid Game” suggested Gi-hun’s upcoming conflict with the game creators, he may return to the games with a rebellious intent. This idea is supported by trailers showing him asking to rejoin and seemingly planning an uprising. However, some viewers have proposed a different, intriguing theory: Perhaps Gi-hun’s disruptive role in the upcoming season isn’t an unwanted force but rather part of their master plan?
So far, we haven’t witnessed the specific reasons or negotiations between Gi-hun and the organization that led to his second visit to the island. It’s unclear whether Gi-hun was coerced, acting voluntarily, or if the organization is manipulating him. It’s possible that he feels like he’s outsmarting them while actually playing into their hands. The show hasn’t ruled out the idea that the Games might want a player who creates chaos and confusion, as part of their storyline for this season. This suggests that Gi-hun may have a more intricate role in the series than it initially appears.
There could be family connections between Il-nam, Gi-hun, and the salesman
The revelation that Player 001 aka Oh Il-nam (O Yeong-su) was actually the man responsible for the creation of Games was one of the big gut punches of “Squid Game” Season 1, turning a character who was already one of the most charismatic and compelling members of the ensemble into a keystone of the show’s mythology. Naturally, the reveal also made Il-nam a mystery unto himself, leading many fans of the show to speculate wildly about his connection to the rest of the ensemble — and to specifically wonder whether he could be Gi-hun’s father.
The Il-nam theory, which might significantly alter the plot of “Squid Game” if valid, has garnered attention not just from the recurring themes between the two characters throughout the series, reminiscent of a father-son relationship, but also due to subtle details such as Gi-hun’s inability to consume milk, similar to Il-nam’s son. Furthermore, some fans have ventured into speculation, suggesting that either the salesman or Gi-hun could be Il-nam’s son, with some believing that they might even be brothers.
It seems fitting if the concept of parentage aligns with Gi-hun becoming the Front Man. However, let’s cross our fingers that if the series decides to follow this route, it will manage the twist tactfully to avoid resembling “The Rise of Skywalker” and focusing solely on a few families rather than the entire universe.
T.O.P’s character is widely expected to be the new season’s Deok-su
The news headlines were dominated by the confirmation that T.O.P, formerly known as Choi Seung-hyun and a member of BigBang, will be starring in “Squid Game” Season 2. Beyond his music career, T.O.P has proven himself to be a skilled actor with roles in films like “19-Nineteen,” “71: Into the Fire,” and “Commitment.” Interestingly, it seems that he will explore new acting territories for this role, taking on a villainous character, which appears to be quite different from the sympathetic characters he has played before.
Character 230, portrayed by T.O.P in the upcoming season of “Squid Game,” remains a mystery regarding his past and function within the narrative. However, based on his trailer appearances, it’s clear he will be a menacing figure. In the Red Light, Green Light game, Player 230 stirred up trouble by urging another player (Song Ji-woo) to move, resulting in her getting shot. The chilling final trailer reveals a deeply unsettling scene of Player 230 grinning and saying “Goodbye” after apparently pushing multiple players during the game, possibly causing their demise.
Supporters of “Squid Game” and T.O.P are already anticipating that he could be a counterpart to Jang Deok-su (Heo Sung-tae), the ruthless antagonist from Season 1, with some believing he might exceed Deok-su in cruelty and instability for Season 2.
There’s still a lot of mystery surrounding the guards
One of the big unexplained elements of the “Squid Game” mythology so far are the guards in pink suits and black masks who keep watch over the Games’ facilities, promptly shooting down any players who go against the rules or survive losing any of the games. The first season revealed very little about the guards and how they came to fill their positions; all we really got to see was the physical appearance of the few guards who were unmasked for one reason or another, all of whom were men. Naturally, several theories have sprouted out from the simultaneous omnipresence and opaqueness of the guards, and it could well be the case that Season 2 will either confirm or disprove some of them.
The theory that guards are selected from people who pick the red envelope during the game of ddakji with the salesman, while those who pick blue are recruited as players, has already been debunked. But several other fan-floated possibilities are still very much on the table. One of those possibilities, routinely cited in “Squid Game” fan communities, would be that the guards are South Korean prison inmates being given a chance to shorten their sentences; another one is that becoming a guard is a way for young men to avoid being conscripted into mandatory military service. Whatever the case, one would imagine that there’s a great chance a new batch of episodes will wade into the question of guards’ recruitment at some point.
The Front Man might be working against the Games from the inside
The season one portrayal of In-ho, the Front Man for the ongoing games, presents a multifaceted character: While he displays coldness towards players and dismissed guards, he is meticulous in ensuring the competition remains fair and balanced. Fans have speculated that In-ho might not merely be an antagonist with principles, but potentially an adversary of the games itself, secretly working to dismantle it from within.
Initially, even though In-ho won a billion won in 2015, his life appears quite ordinary and modest, living in a compact apartment. This could imply that In-ho, like Gi-hun, might be a winner burdened by guilt or distaste for his winnings, choosing not to use the money. Moreover, In-ho’s carelessness in concealing his tracks provides an abundance of obvious hints that guide Jun-ho directly to him. This behavior seems unusual unless In-ho intended his brother to locate him and expose the truth. When confronted by Jun-ho, In-ho does not aim for a fatal shot, instead giving Jun-ho an opportunity to live.
Initially appearing as benevolent, In-ho might secretly be orchestrating a sinister plot against the Games, making him an intriguing figure in the series’ future development. It’s no surprise that 21% of over 600 polled fans are eager for “Squid Game” Season 2 to delve deeper into this character’s storyline.
Everyone’s dreading the impending mother-son plot
In a simple and engaging manner: The first season of “Squid Game” presented two emotionally charged characters, Kim Yun-tae as Player 069 and Lee Ji-ha as Player 070. These were the married duo participating in the deadly competition to escape debt, but fate had them competing against each other in the Marbles game. The story was already heavy with emotion, and it looks like the upcoming season will intensify the emotional impact with a new family pair – a mother (Kang Ae-shim as Player 149) and her son (Yang Dong-geun as Player 007).
In the trailers and posters, the pairing of two characters has sparked much discussion among viewers, as Player 007 appears to prioritize caring for and safeguarding his elderly mother amidst the competition. Fans are already bracing themselves for the potential emotional turmoil that their storyline may bring, with many anticipating that their involvement in the Games could result in a heartbreaking scenario where only one of them can survive – while some speculate that the series might be using this as a red herring and hiding another twist in store. Some are even pondering whether the relationship between these two characters will resemble that of Leann Wilcox and Trey Plutnicki (Players 302 and 301) from “Squid Game: The Challenge,” where they were pitted against each other in a grueling game of Marbles.
New games for the season could include monkey bars and modified musical chairs
The news that Season 2 of “Squid Game” will feature a fresh set of Games, where Gi-hun is drawn back into the competition as a participant, has sparked great interest among fans about how the specific games will unfold this time around. While we already know that Red Light, Green Light, the most chilling game from Season 1, will serve as the opening event again, with Young-hee the robot doll tracking the players’ actions once more. However, it seems that there will be several new games in this iteration – and of course, fans are already speculating about what these new games might entail.
Careful observers have noticed that the new dormitory features images of people swinging from a wall adorned with spikes, hinting at the possibility of an updated version of monkey bars for the competition. This idea is further supported by the fact that a promotional image includes a rainbow over a cloud, which in Korean is known as “guleumdali” or “cloud bridge,” a term often used for monkey bars. Additionally, based on the trailers’ depictions of doors, a carousel, and a circular room, it seems likely that we will witness a variation of musical chairs where players are spun around before being released to reach a limited number of doors for safety before elimination.
The new season may be less Game-centric than it looks
As a dedicated gamer, I initially believed that the upcoming season would veer away from the gameplay and delve into the outside world, but it seems my theory was proven wrong. Despite the trailers heavily emphasizing the Games and Gi-hun’s fresh involvement, some speculate that this focus might not persist until the end of the season, hinting at a potential shift in narrative direction.
Instead, there remains a substantial chance that the upcoming season might draw inspiration from “The Hunger Games” series by using the new games as a stepping stone towards a revolution storyline – a development that aligns with the quote in the trailer suggesting that “the game will not end unless the world changes.” Some viewers have pointed out that the games may conclude mid-season, either being played to their full extent or disrupted in some manner. A potential rebellion among the players could account for the scenes in the trailer showing guards forcefully firing weapons outside of game zones.
As a gamer myself, I can say it’s refreshing to consider a departure from the game-centric narrative for “Squid Game” Season 2. Repeating the same storyline structure as Season 1 would be a missed opportunity, and that’s something we definitely want to avoid. If we just rehash the same game dynamics, it might dilute the impact of Gi-hun’s journey, making his decision to stay in South Korea and challenge the Games’ creators seem insignificant. To make Season 2 as gripping and unexpected as the first, it seems almost essential to introduce a new plot that focuses less on the games themselves.
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2024-12-04 06:00