The conclusion of Squid Game Season 2 has left fans in shock. The season’s final episode ends with the brutal killing of Gi-hun’s (Lee Jung-jae) best friend, Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan), who is shot by The Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) in front of Gi-hun after he leads an uprising among the players in the current game.
While Jung-bae’s death is already gut-wrenching, it’s even more shocking for the audience than for Gi-hun, as viewers know the true identity of The Front Man: In-ho, a former winner of the Squid Game, now working as the head guard.
Throughout the season, In-ho posed as Player 001 (using the name Young-il), gradually gaining Gi-hun and Jung-bae’s trust by pretending to support their rebellion. However, in the end, he reveals his true identity, dons his Front Man mask again, and kills Jung-bae to punish Gi-hun.
With a cliffhanger ending, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk shared insights into the Season 2 finale with Variety, explaining the significance of the mid-credits scene that hints at a new version of Squid Game.
This scene introduces male and female versions of the giant, laser-eyed “Red Light, Green Light” dolls, setting up future plotlines for Season 3 and beyond.
Hwang Dong-hyuk on the Season 2 Finale:
The dramatic season ending was a deliberate choice by Hwang. He explained, “When I first wrote the story for Seasons 2 and 3, it was one long arc, and I originally planned for it to be about eight or nine episodes.
But as the story expanded, it ended up being over 10 episodes, which felt too long for a single season. I wanted to find a moment to bring some closure in Season 2 and transition into Season 3.”
Gi-hun’s repeated failures in trying to stop the game—his failed attempt to use mercenaries, his unsuccessful plea for players to vote to leave, and his ultimate failure to lead a rebellion—culminate in the loss of his closest friend.
Squid Game 2 (Photo: Netflix)
This devastating moment, Hwang feels, provides the necessary emotional resolution for Gi-hun’s character arc at the close of Season 2, allowing for a powerful sense of guilt and failure to guide his journey in Season 3.
Season 3 Expectations:
Though Hwang refrained from offering too many spoilers, he did tease that the release date for Season 3 would likely be announced soon, with the season expected to premiere in summer or fall 2025.
As for Gi-hun’s journey, Hwang shared that, following his tremendous losses, Gi-hun will be in a very different state in the next season.
The pivotal question will be whether Gi-hun continues his mission, gives up, or persists, and what kind of person he will become after everything he’s been through. Gi-hun’s transformation will be one of the central themes of Season 3.
The Future of the Squid Game:
Given the rebellion that unfolded in Season 2, with many players rising against The Front Man and the guards, the format of the games might change in Season 3. Hwang hinted that the post-credits scene provides a clue to where the story might go, though he remained tight-lipped about specific details.
The Pentathlon Game:
When asked about his favorite game to shoot in Season 2, Hwang mentioned the pentathlon. It was not only the most challenging to film but also the one he found the most satisfying to watch once completed.
The pentathlon features five smaller games within a single round, offering a fresh twist on the children’s games Hwang grew up playing. The complexity and diversity of these games made it one of the most enjoyable sequences to bring to life.
Hwang promised that as the series progresses, each episode and season will become more intense, expanding the story further while maintaining its captivating and entertaining nature. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned and watch the story unfold to its thrilling end.
