We Rewatched Squid Game Season 1 And It’s Totally Different Now

A little-known fact about ‘Squid Game’ is that it took more than ten years to evolve from an initial idea into the worldwide phenomenon it is today on Netflix. At first glance, the narrative might seem like a surefire success: portray a group of people struggling under capitalism who compete in deadly games based on children’s pastimes for vast sums of money. The concept resonates with the struggles faced by many people globally, thus enabling it to surpass cultural barriers.

Initially, the first season of the show was so exceptional that it could have been satisfying on its own. However, when Netflix discovers something valuable, they often return to the same source. True to form, not only did they produce a real-life competition series called “Squid Game: The Challenge” (fortunately without any fatalities), but they also renewed “Squid Game” for two more seasons, meaning it will conclude with Season 3.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reflect on the lasting impact of “Squid Game.” Even after its conclusion, the series continues to captivate audiences as they revisit it again and again, drawn in by its exceptional storytelling. With additional episodes now available and the advantage of hindsight, there’s an even richer experience to be had when re-watching “Squid Game” Season 1 today.

From the subtlest hints to the most profound foreshadowing, you may find yourself picking up on details that were previously unnoticed during your first viewing in 2021. So, grab some popcorn and settle in for another round of this gripping drama!

Several characters’ deaths are foreshadowed

In the storyline of “Squid Game,” it was generally expected that many characters would perish. The specific manner and timing of these deaths were left uncertain, contributing significantly to the overall suspense. However, if you carefully observe Episode 2 titled “Hell,” there are numerous indications that reveal how different characters would eventually meet their end.

1. In the opening scenes of the series, we find Cho Sang-woo (played by Park Hae-soo) contemplating suicide in a bathtub. However, before he can act, a doorbell rings and he’s offered a chance to participate in the Squid Game instead. Ultimately, Sang-woo chooses to give up his life in the final game against Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae).

2. Ali Abdul (portrayed by Anupam Tripathi) decides to steal his boss’ money, leading to his demise in Episode 6, titled “Gganbu.” In a twist of fate, Sang-woo takes Ali’s marbles from him before this occurs.

3. On Episode 8, entitled “Front Man,” Kang Sae-byeok (Jung Ho-yeon) threatens a smuggler with a knife, only to have Sang-woo repeat the same action in her throat later on.

4. Lastly, Jang Deok-su (Heo Sung-tae), the menacing gangster, leaps from a bridge to escape his pursuers. He meets his end during the glass bridge game in the series.

In “Hell,” despite Gi-hun not meeting his demise, his story takes a complete turn. He engages in a discussion with Oh Il-nam, unaware that he’s the mastermind behind the games at this stage. Il-nam attempts to lure Gi-hun back into the games by expressing his disdain for the world. After Gi-hun emerges victorious, they converse again when Il-nam is hospitalized, at which point his true identity is unveiled. Later, they exchange words once more, discussing the harshness of reality.

Gi-hun has now missed the same twist twice

In “Squid Game” Season 2, the character known as the Front Man, played by Lee Byung-hun, reveals a shocking twist similar to that of Oh Il-nam from Season 1 – he is the mastermind behind the deadly games. Yet, despite his past actions and clear indications this time around, Gi-hun seems oblivious to Hwang In-ho’s betrayal. This repetition of events feels strangely familiar, almost like a frustrating deja vu.

Intriguingly, it seems quite coincidental that the character who starts as Player 001, or essentially the leader of the games, bears a name that translates to “Number One Man” in Squid Game Season 2. The character In-ho adopts the pseudonym Oh Young-il, which symbolically means “Zero, One.” This suggests a connection between his role as Player 001 and his name’s numerical significance. Is it merely coincidence or a subtle hint at a deeper meaning in the storyline?

It’s possible that Gi-hun tends to trust too easily, or maybe he assumed the game organizers wouldn’t repeat the same trick. However, if Gi-hun finds himself in the games again, he should definitely stay vigilant and be more observant this time around.

Gi-hun has always been excited over six-legged races

In “Squid Game,” one of the early moments shows Gi-hun participating in horse racing bets, revealing his character as a compulsive gambler often finding himself in deep water. Remarkably, he manages to win money from these races and rejoices exuberantly. Despite experiencing the games once before, it’s evident that certain aspects of his life remain unaltered.

In “Squid Game” Season 2, one of the contests is a six-legged race where five participants must synchronize their steps and go through several mini-games. Episode 5, titled “One More Game,” showcases excitement from the audience as they witness one team successfully hurdling challenge after challenge and finally reaching the finish line. This scene highlights that at heart, Gi-hun is a thrill-seeker, as a horse race can be seen as just another form of a six-legged race; given that a horse has four legs and its rider two, this makes for a total of six ‘legs’ involved. Despite his focus on saving people in Season 2 instead of gambling and accumulating wealth, it is evident that Gi-hun still appreciates a well-run competition.

People aren’t horses

In the inaugural episode of “Squid Game” Season 1, the horse race presents an intriguing twist. The scene depicts a group of men passionately cheering at a screen displaying numbered horses, with our protagonist Gi-hun having wagered on horses six and eight. In this instance, these living, sentient creatures are reduced to mere numerical labels for the amusement of the men. Moreover, it can be debated that horse racing is inhumane due to its exploitation of animals, compelling them to exceed their physical limits and risk injury. Tragically, if a horse sustains a broken leg during competition, it’s not uncommon for it to be euthanized as it’s no longer considered valuable.

In the games that Gi-hun joins later, every participant is treated as mere numbers, stripping them of their humanity. On the other hand, a privileged elite watches each contest from remote televisions. Here, the wealthy are portrayed as the dominant force, while the participants are like animals used for entertainment, belonging to the lower class. Upon rewatching “Squid Game” Season 1, it becomes apparent that the horse race symbolizes how one social class subjects another to inhumane conditions solely for their own entertainment.

Gi-hun’s Season 1 ending is foreshadowed in the first episode

In “Squid Game” Season 1, the horse race isn’t the only element with later thematic significance. Instead, it’s Gi-hun’s encounter with the Salesman (Gong Yoo) and their game of ddakji that carries resonance. Here, the Salesman proposes a wager where he offers money to Gi-hun if he can flip his own piece; however, since Gi-hun lacks funds for a bet, he must endure the Salesman’s slaps every time his piece is flipped over. This seemingly insignificant event sets Gi-hun on the path to the competition, but upon revisiting the series, it’s worthwhile to observe Gi-hun’s emotional reaction when he ultimately emerges victorious.

As a gamer, I found myself in a tense game against the Salesman where he kept flipping over my piece and smacking me. For what felt like an eternity, I couldn’t seem to win. But then, finally, I managed to squeak out a victory! In that moment, though, I didn’t think about claiming my winnings; all I could focus on was wanting to slap the Salesman, who paused his assault and instead handed me my well-earned victory.

In the heat of victory following a heated game, Gi-hun’s initial response is to seek retribution. This impulse arises as he emerges as the lone victor from the competition. Instead of using his winnings of 45.6 billion won to start anew somewhere, his instinct is to retaliate against those responsible for orchestrating the games. In Season 2, he intends to make them all suffer by symbolically slapping them and putting an end to the games once and for all.

Squid Game Season 1 foreshadows Season 2’s Russian roulette

As a gamer, diving back into the intense world of Squid Game for Season 2, Episode 1, I found myself on the edge of my seat from the get-go. Literally speaking, it was a bang that set the tone – a game of Russian roulette between Gi-hun and the enigmatic Salesman. The high-stakes showdown took a nerve-wracking turn as they each aimed a gun at their own heads, preparing to pull the trigger. This chilling scene echoed powerfully with one of the most pivotal moments from the very first episode of Squid Game, reminding us all that danger and intrigue are never far behind in this twisted game.

Initially, when the Salesman initially appears, an exhausted Gi-hun brandishes what seems to be a real firearm at him. However, it turns out to be just a prop lighter, and he merely wants the Salesman to leave. This incident showcases Gi-hun’s transformation. In a surprising turn of events, during Season 2’s Russian roulette, the Salesman suggests that Gi-hun could have easily cheated by pulling the trigger and ending his life on the spot. Yet, Gi-hun declines this option and instead plays fair, ultimately emerging victorious. From threatening a man with a gun (even if it was fake), to refusing to do so, Gi-hun’s character evolution is apparent.

It seems uncertain if the similarities at the start of both seasons in “Squid Game” were intentional or not, as its creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, initially only planned for one season. However, it’s difficult not to notice a possible link between them.

There are many hints Oh Il-nam isn’t who he says he is

It was previously pointed out that Gi-hun overlooked a significant hint about Oh Il-nam’s real identity due to their name and number connection. While it may seem plausible to attribute this to mere coincidence, upon closer examination of all the clues concerning Il-nam throughout the games, it’s astonishing that more viewers didn’t recognize the pattern earlier.

Initially, his demeanor is casual about the life-threatening contests. As contestants are eliminated in Red Light, Green Light, he’s among the quickest to resume playing with a wide grin. In “Hell,” Il-nam has an unexpected run-in with Gi-hun, persuading him that rejoining the games is worthwhile, which appears highly questionable. When the uprising occurs and players start attacking each other, Il-nam expresses fear. Soon after, guards arrive to quell the chaos, indicating they’ve been signaled by the founder to do so and protect him from harm.

Yet, the most significant clue is something Gi-hun likely missed. While the games are underway, Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon) explores the island and discovers a file with details about all the players… except for Player 001. The file starts from Player 002, which is logical since those managing the game wouldn’t need to monitor the one who set it up in the first place.

Episode 9’s tragedy is foreshadowed by its title

In the final episode of Squid Game Season 1, Gi-hun emerges victorious and alive, winning an astounding 45.6 billion won. However, this triumph is bittersweet as he learns that his mother has already passed away during his absence. The primary motivation for Gi-hun’s participation in the game was to pay for his ailing mother’s medical bills, but now she’s gone, and his efforts were in vain. Instead of being able to spend her final moments with his mother, Gi-hun was gambling with his life, trying to save her. The irony is that all his sacrifices no longer matter. Some viewers might have anticipated this heartbreaking outcome from the title of the season finale — “One Lucky Day.

Title Analysis: This 1924 short story from Hyun Jin-geon, titled similarly here, portrays the life of a rickshaw puller whose wife begs him not to work due to her illness. Despite this, he goes out only to have a profitable day filled with fares. Upon his return home, he finds his wife has passed away. This narrative underscores the hardships faced by the working poor who must labor tirelessly just to survive, often at the expense of their loved ones. It draws parallels to the situation of Gi-hun in Squid Game, who becomes so engrossed in chasing riches that he neglects his ailing mother.

It’s clear that Gi-hun believed he had more time, but life never offers any guarantees. The season concludes poignantly as we see that money holds no value for Gi-hun, who has lost the one he cherishes most.

Jun-ho’s camera shutter isn’t a plot hole

In Episode 6 of Season 1, Jun-ho discovers crucial documents and snaps pictures as evidence of the mysterious games happening. Unfortunately, his smartphone produces a conspicuous shutter sound while taking these photos, which could potentially reveal his secretive actions. Yet, he has no alternative but to forgo a silent camera during his stay on the island.

In South Korea, it’s mandated by law that smartphones produce a distinct sound when taking pictures. This rule is implemented for the sake of citizen privacy, ensuring people are aware if someone is capturing their image nearby. The goal is to deter individuals from photographing others without permission, a practice which also has legal restrictions in Japan.

If Jun-ho wants to employ those photos as proof, regardless of their relevance to Season 2, he’s compelled to do so. He phones the chief, but communication proves difficult and the images seem to not transmit successfully, leaving him in a predicament where he must search for the island once again when the new season starts.

Is Gi-hun destined to become the new Front Man?

In “Squid Game” Season 2, one of the main mysteries revolves around Gi-hun’s ultimate role. Despite his uprising being brutally suppressed, he continues to survive, leading some fans to speculate that Gi-hun may assume the position of the Front Man overseeing the games. Even though he aimed to abolish the games forever, he might end up managing them, persuaded that they serve a greater purpose. It’s also suggested that Season 1 may have foreshadowed his destiny through a subtle costume selection.

The Season 1 uprising concludes when Oh Il-nam admits fear, which Gi-hun notices also results in Il-nam wetting himself that night. To conceal this, Gi-hun lends Il-nam his jacket to tie around him. In return, Il-nam demands that Gi-hun keeps his jacket, and for a while, we see Gi-hun identified as “001.” This number is only given to two other players on the show – Il-nam (the game’s founder) and Hwang In-ho (the current Front Man). By giving Gi-hun the “001” jacket, Il-nam implies that he is preparing Gi-hun to assume a more significant role in the games in the future.

There’s a chance that Gi-hun wearing the “001” jacket signifies his eventual victory in the game, making him the top player or Player Number One. On a broader perspective, this could be a hint at his future role when Season 3 airs. If Gi-hun takes over as the Front Man, he might emulate In-ho’s actions and participate in the games again, assuming the position of Player 001 to monitor other players more closely.

2025-01-07 23:30