Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Squid Game season 2, episodes 1-4.Squid Gameseason 2, episode 3 officially returns Gi-hun to the titular competition, andthe installment’s final moments deliver a major twist involving the Front Man. Aptly titled “001,” this episode sees the new players repeatingSquid Gameseason 1’s most famous game— Red Light Green Light — before voting on whether to continue with the tournament. At the end of “001,” it’s nearly a tie, and the deciding factor is Player 001. Face hidden from the screen, Player 001 votes to move forward with the Games. And as he walks away, it’s revealed that he’s the Front Man.
Gi-hun and the Front Man have tense conversations at the beginning of season 1, but In-ho joining the Games will give him a chance to properly interact withSquid Game’s lead. Of course,Gi-hun doesn’t recognize In-ho as the Front Man, adding a new layer of tension toSquid Gameseason 2. And with In-ho introducing himself as Oh Young-il, there’s no way for Gi-hun to connect his new ally toSquid Game’s elusive villain. This is all according to In-ho’s plan, which highlights how manipulative the Front Man truly is.
Why The Front Man Joins The Squid Games As Player 001
He Intends To Manipulate The Tournament & Break Gi-hun’s Will
The Front Man joining the Games isn’t what most expected inSquid Gameseason 2, but his decision makes sense in a twisted way. The Front Man intends to break Gi-hun’s resolve in the second outing, as he doesn’t agree that people are fundamentally decent or worth saving. Gi-hun thinks that he can bring down the Games from the inside, andthe Front Man needs to prove that he’s powerless to stop them. The simplest way to do this is to manipulate the tournament from the inside, which the Front Man can now do as Player 001.
With Gi-hun seemingly the only winner to push back so hard, he appears to be an intriguing case study for the Front Man.
The Front Man also seems intrigued by Gi-hun, as he watches with curiosity asSquid Game’s lead attempts to save the other players during Red Light Green Light. In episode 4, he also makes sure to befriend Gi-hun and asks him follow-up questions about his goals and motives. In-ho’s poker face is so impressive that it’s hard to tell what he’s thinking during these conversations. But with Gi-hun seemingly the only winner to push back so hard, he appears to be an intriguing case study for the Front Man.
Why Player 001 Votes For The Games To Continue The First Time
The Front Man Needs The Tournament To Go On
With the Front Man hoping to continue the tournament and break Gi-hun’s spirit,it’s really no surprise he votes for the Games to continue while posing as Player 001.Squid Game’s villain has two clear goals: to appease the VIPs watching the competition and to get Gi-hun to back down. Both of these require the Games to move forward. The VIPs likely wouldn’t be happy if all the players decided to go home, which is why the Front Man and his cronies manipulate them so heavily while they’re there. And the Front Man requires more time with Gi-hun to break him.
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The Front Man does give another explanation for why he votes to continue in episode 4, as Gi-hun is angry with this new player for breaking the tie in the other side’s favor. Posing as Young-il,In-ho tells Gi-hun there are just as many people who want to move forward. He questions why one side’s will should be dominant over the other’s while there’s essentially a 50/50 split. “Let’s say I pressed X and we all left,” he tells Gi-hun. “Would everyone have been happy?” It’s an intriguing commentary about the nature of democracy, morality, and which is more important.
Why Gi-hun Doesn’t Recognize Player 001 As The Front Man
He’s Never Seen The Squid Game Villain’s Face
Gi-hun startsSquid Gameseason 2 angry with Young-il, but he doesn’t realize that he’s the very person he’s been trying to locate. Of course, Gi-hun doesn’t know what the Front Man looks like, so he has no way of realizing the man in front of him is the same person. At theend ofSquid Gameseason 1, the two speak to one another in a limousine after Gi-hun wins. However,Gi-hun is blindfolded during this scene, so he doesn’t get a glimpse of the Front Man’s unmasked face. Otherwise, he only knows him by his black mask.
The only time Gi-hun has actually heard the man’s real voice is during their limo ride together, and he’s probably too disoriented after the Games to remember it.
Additionally, most ofGi-hun’s interactions with the Front Man have been via technology. He speaks to him on the phone at the airport, and he speaks to him using the pig speaker at the beginning of season 2. In both instances, the Front Man’s voice sounds much deeper than In-ho’s, suggesting he’s using technology to manipulate it. The only time Gi-hun has actually heard the man’s real voice is during their limo ride together, and he’s probably too disoriented after the Games to remember it. The blindfold also covers his ears enough to muffle it.
Squid Game Season 2’s Player 001 Repeats Season 1’s Biggest Twist
It Puts A Fresh Spin On Season 1’s Oh Il-nam Reveal
With the Front Man posing as Player 001,Squid Gameseason 2 is repeating the first outing’s biggest twist. Just as Oh Il-nam befriends Gi-hun duringSquid Gameseason 1, In-ho is attempting to gain his trust in the new episodes. The two characters are interested in Gi-hun for similar reasons — both seem surprised by his unwavering humanity — but In-ho’s intentions are more sinister. Therefore, it’s probably safe to say thatSquid Gameseason 2’s Player 001 twist will amount to a different outcome than season 1’s.
The viewers knowing who the Front Man is also adds a fun layer of tension toSquid Gameseason 2’s version of this twist.
The viewers knowing who the Front Man is also adds a layer of tension toSquid Gameseason 2’s version of this twist. In season 1, those watching are just as surprised to see Oh Il-nam alive as Gi-hun is. We experience the big reveal with him, allowing his frustration and anger to fully resonate. Season 2 removes the shock value in favor of building the tension. The viewer experience is more removed from Gi-hun’s, aswe’re fully aware that he’s being duped by In-ho — but powerless to do anything about it.
Squid Gameseason 3 is confirmed for 2025.
This differentiatesSquid Gameseason 1’s huge Player 001 twist from season 2’s, keeping the story fresh while calling back to the first outing. Witnessing how Gi-hun is manipulated by the Front Man will make it even more satisfying when the two finally do come face to face, whether that’s at the end ofSquid Gameseason 2 or into the third and final outing.
Squid Game
Cast
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.
