Squid Game: Unraveling Mysteries Through Rewatching

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Fans are anxiously anticipating Season 3 of Squid Game, leaving many plot points unresolved and sparking curiosity about the destiny of beloved characters and the future direction of the grim games. While we may have to wait until summer for these answers, a rewatch now offers an opportunity to delve deeper into the mysteries that surround the show.

Delving into possible plot mysteries and providing intriguing insights about the broader universe, there’s a wealth of hidden depth in Squid Game. What’s more, rewatching it multiple times – be it the second, third, or even fourth time – becomes an enjoyable experience as we get closer to the series finale.

7
The Front Man Is Left-Handed

In Season 2, one of the enigmatic masterminds of the games, who is also Hwang Jun-ho’s sibling, appeared within the games, presumably to monitor Seong Gi-hun. Within his team during Six Legs, he was assigned the task of Spinning Top. Unfortunately, it seems he struggled with this task because he used his non-dominant hand.

The Right Way to Spin It

In Season 1, a subtle yet significant detail was introduced: The Front Man appeared to be left-handed when he shot his brother and performed various minor tasks. This left-handedness was subsequently validated by the actor portraying him. Interestingly, it was also revealed that the Front Man employed his non-dominant hand in playing Spinning Top, adding an extra layer of difficulty. As a result, the enigma surrounding The Front Man deepens, fueling speculation among fans about his complex motivations and possible hidden past.

6
The Walls Hint at the Next Games

Upon my arrival at the games, I found the rooms sparsely furnished, with only beds and enigmatic artworks adorning the walls. Given the anticipation surrounding the games, the sheer number of people, and the excitement coursing through me, it was simple to overlook these mysterious images during my initial glance. Yet, upon a second viewing, their significance became strikingly clear, revealing hidden stories that added depth to this grand spectacle.

A Game to Figure Them Out

Looking back, it’s clear that the pictures symbolize games like tug-of-war, dalgona, glass bridge, among others. Yet, even if the competitors had perceived that the images hinted at these games, it seems unlikely they would have comprehended all the references. For instance, tug-of-war might be apparent, but symbols like triangles, circles, stars, and umbrellas weren’t exactly self-explanatory. In fact, the contestants were provided with options to select from these very shapes, and unfortunately for Gi-hun, his choice turned out to be incorrect.

In Season 2, additional murals have emerged on the walls, fueling further speculation about future events.

5
Oh Il-nam Was Never in Danger

oh Il-nam, known as Player 001 in Squid Game Season 1, was cherished by fans… that is, until the shocking revelation at the end of the season: he had orchestrated the games! This came as a surprise to many viewers who thought they had witnessed his death and him declaring himself Gi-hun’s partner. But upon rewatching, it becomes apparent that his role as the game master was quite evident.

Red Light, Red Flag

From the very beginning of the Red Light, Green Light game, it’s clear that Gi-hun wasn’t truly in danger throughout the games. Unlike the other participants, his body was never scanned by the doll, so he wouldn’t have been penalized for moving. Later on, he picked a simpler shape for dalgona, and during the Nighttime Brawl, it was his emotional plea that made the guards halt the fighting. Furthermore, during the Marbles game, when it appeared as though he had perished, he was escorted away from the other contestants to stage a fake execution instead.

In truth, the instance where Oh Il-nam may have faced peril was likely during the tug-of-war game due to ambiguity over whether he was connected to the rope. Regardless of whether he was or not, it’s challenging to pinpoint a method by which he could have been kept alive under watchful eyes. Nevertheless, it’s plausible that his tug-of-war tactics were merely a facade, and he had devised a plan ensuring his team would win regardless.

4
Several Foreshadowed Deaths

In the intense competition of Squid Game involving 456 participants, it was inevitable that some would perish. However, certain deaths were more foreshadowed than others. For instance, Ali’s sorrowful demise was directly linked to Sang-woo stealing his marbles, much like how his boss had taken the money owed to Ali. Sang-woo’s own fate, too, seemed predestined, as he had attempted suicide earlier and met a similar end during the games. Characters such as Han Mi-nyeo, Deok-Su, and even Oh Il-nam also experienced deaths that were somewhat foreseeable upon a second viewing.

Deaths in Season 3

Of course, fans are speculating about the possible demises of characters in Season 3. With the nail-biting cliffhanger at the end of Season 2, Seon-nyeo’s curse, and the ruthless nature of these games, it seems quite plausible that other characters may meet their end—or perhaps face an even more grim destiny.

3
The Meaning Behind the Shapes

In the series known as “Squid Game”, three distinct shapes recur frequently: squares, triangles, and circles. These shapes are significant in various ways throughout the show. Initially, these symbols may appear to be random, but upon closer inspection during a rewatch, it becomes evident that these shapes not only signify a power structure among the guards, but they also subtly foreshadow the ultimate game played by the participants.

Coming Full Circle

The senior guards wear masks shaped as squares, followed by triangles and then circles. The reason behind this hierarchy isn’t specified, but it appears that a shape with more sides holds a higher rank, as evidenced by the complex mask of the Lead Guard. Furthermore, these geometric figures are instrumental in structuring the Squid Game setup, where participants initially gather on a circular area, move within the confines of the square, and aim to reach (or protect) the triangle. It’s plausible that these shapes could reappear in other forms during the finale of Season 3.

2
Thanos/T.O.P. References

Among the standout aspects of Squid Game Season 2, one particularly captivating character was Thanos, portrayed by Choi Seung-hyun, also known as T.O.P from BIGBANG. Filled with humor, chaos, and a touch of cruelty, Thanos dominated every moment he appeared on screen. Eagle-eyed fans of T.O.P may have picked up on nods to him and his career throughout the initial viewing, such as Thanos’ dance routine in Mingle, or even the connection between Thanos’ drug use and T.O.P’s ongoing marijuana controversy. Upon multiple rewatches, you’ll discover even more references not only to him but also to the Marvel villain his character was named after.

A Marvel to Behold

Through his nail polish symbolizing the Infinity Stones and his distinctive purple hair, Thanos perfectly portrayed the Marvel villain. He furthered Thanos’ objective of reducing the population by accidentally tripping over numerous contestants during Red Light, Green Light. It’s intriguing that he met his end roughly halfway through the games, which could symbolize Thanos’ wish to decrease the population by half. Nevertheless, Thanos’ amusing behavior is worth revisiting on its own.

1
Player 67’s Death Wasn’t Announced

In a theory that’s been one of the most talked-about yet seemingly implausible among fans, the character known as Player 67 or Kang Sae-byeok, was conspicuously absent from any official announcement of death in the series ‘Squid Game’. Initially, viewers might have been too taken aback by Sang-woo’s betrayal to notice that her murder went unmentioned. But upon closer inspection during a rewatch, it becomes evident that her demise was never confirmed, thus fueling speculation among fans that she could potentially reappear in Season 3.

Fun to Speculate, But Unlikely

The idea that Sae-byeok is still alive persists across various theories, one of which suggests that Guard 011 could be her sister. However, in Season 1, only a brother and mother were mentioned for Sae-byeok, with no reference to a sister. Moreover, it’s implausible for 011 to be either the brother or mother due to their age differences. Furthermore, Sae-byeok’s injuries were critical, making it unlikely that the guards would have provided medical care. Thus, our best bet is that she passed away from her wounds. Yet, with the news that the Squid Game universe will expand beyond the series, it’s challenging not to maintain optimism about her potential survival.

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2025-01-19 21:02