How Did ‘Squid Game’ Season 1 End? A Recap to Prepare for Season 2
 Squid Game 2: Release Date, Plot, Cast, And What to Expect! |
 Major Rule Change for Squid Game 2: Stop the Game Between Rounds |
As the world eagerly anticipates the return of Netflix's global hit, Squid Game, fans are revisiting the intense, emotional, and thought-provoking conclusion of Season 1. The finale left viewers with shocking twists, unresolved mysteries, and lingering questions that set the stage for the highly anticipated Season 2, which premieres on December 26, 2024.
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| ‘Squid Game’ Ending and What Happens Next in Season 2 |
Gi-hun’s Journey Through the Games
At the center of Squid Game is Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae), a man struggling with financial ruin, estranged family relationships, and a crippling gambling addiction. Desperate for money, Gi-hun is lured into participating in the titular Squid Game—a mysterious and deadly competition where players face off in childhood playground games with fatal consequences.
Initially unaware of the life-threatening stakes, Gi-hun barely survives the first challenge, “Red Light, Green Light,” which quickly transforms the competition into a bloodbath. After the survivors vote to terminate the game, they are sent home. However, many—including Gi-hun—return to the competition, driven by the allure of the enormous cash prize and the desperation to escape their dire realities.
The Final Game: A Fight to the Death
As the series progresses, Gi-hun builds alliances and faces heartbreaking betrayals, watching fellow contestants fall victim to the brutal games. In the climactic final round, Squid Game, Gi-hun faces off against his childhood friend, Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo). Their relationship has been strained throughout the series, with Sang-woo’s pragmatic but ruthless approach clashing with Gi-hun’s lingering sense of morality.
The final game is a vicious battle of wits and physical endurance. Despite Sang-woo’s attempts to outmaneuver him, Gi-hun emerges victorious. However, his triumph comes at a heavy cost: the guilt of surviving while others, including Sang-woo, died along the way. Sang-woo’s final act of self-sacrifice, choosing to end his own life rather than continue the game, haunts Gi-hun long after the competition ends.
The Hollow Victory
Gi-hun walks away from the Squid Game as the winner, claiming a prize of 45.6 billion won. However, his victory is anything but sweet. Returning to the outside world, Gi-hun is consumed by guilt and trauma. The lives lost during the games, particularly those of his closest allies—Kang Sae-byeok (Jung Ho-yeon) and Abdul Ali (Anupam Tripathi)—weigh heavily on him. Their sacrifices linger as reminders of the moral cost of his survival.
Adding to his despair, Gi-hun discovers that his mother has passed away in his absence, leaving him truly alone despite his newfound wealth. His daughter is also preparing to leave for America with her mother and stepfather, further isolating Gi-hun in his grief. The money that once seemed like a solution to all his problems now feels meaningless.
The Shocking Revelation: The Creator of the Game
In a surprising twist, Gi-hun learns that Player 001, the seemingly frail old man named Oh Il-nam (Oh Yeong-su), is not just a fellow contestant but the mastermind behind the Squid Game. Il-nam, revealed as a wealthy and terminally ill man, created the games as a twisted form of entertainment for the ultra-rich and as an experiment to observe human behavior under extreme circumstances.
Il-nam participated in the games himself to relive his childhood joys one last time before his death. His confrontation with Gi-hun challenges the latter’s understanding of morality, fairness, and the choices that led to the games’ creation. As Il-nam dies, Gi-hun is left grappling with the knowledge that the Squid Game is just one piece of a larger, systemic machinery fueled by the greed and indifference of the elite.
The Front Man and Joon-ho’s Cliffhanger
Running parallel to Gi-hun’s journey is the subplot involving Hwang Joon-ho (Wi Ha-joon), a young police officer investigating the disappearance of his brother. Joon-ho infiltrates the game by disguising himself as one of the red-suited workers and uncovers horrifying truths about its operations.
Joon-ho eventually discovers that the Front Man, the masked overseer of the games, is none other than his missing brother, Hwang In-ho (Lee Byung-hun). The two brothers face off in a tense confrontation on a cliff. Refusing to join his brother’s corrupt world, Joon-ho is shot by In-ho and falls into the ocean. Although his fate is left uncertain, it is heavily implied that Joon-ho survives, as his return has been confirmed for Season 2.
Gi-hun’s Transformation and Red Hair
At the end of Season 1, Gi-hun appears ready to turn over a new leaf. He dyes his hair a fiery red, symbolizing a dramatic change in his outlook and resolve. While preparing to board a flight to America to reunite with his daughter, Gi-hun witnesses the same Salesman (Gong Yoo) recruiting new players for the Squid Game.
This moment triggers a shift in Gi-hun’s priorities. Instead of escaping to a new life, he decides to stay behind and confront the people behind the games, vowing to bring justice to the system that exploits the vulnerable. The final shot of the season shows Gi-hun walking away from the airport, setting up a direct lead into Season 2.
What Does the Ending Mean for Season 2?
The ending of Squid Game Season 1 leaves several loose threads that Season 2 is set to address:
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Gi-hun’s Mission for Justice
With his newfound determination, Gi-hun is expected to take a more active role in dismantling the Squid Game and holding its organizers accountable. How he plans to achieve this while navigating the immense power of the organization remains a central question.
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The Front Man’s Role
In-ho, as the enigmatic Front Man, will likely play a pivotal role in Season 2. His relationship with Joon-ho adds a deeply personal layer to the story, especially if Joon-ho returns to expose the games.
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New Games, New Players
As the series expands, Season 2 is expected to introduce new contestants and challenges, potentially offering a fresh perspective on the games’ dynamics and the moral dilemmas they pose.
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The Salesman and Recruitment
The Salesman’s role in luring new participants into the deadly competition will likely come under greater scrutiny as Gi-hun’s investigation deepens.
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Themes of Power and Inequality
The revelation about Il-nam and the elitist motivations behind the games reinforces the show’s critique of systemic inequality and human greed. Season 2 will likely expand on these themes, exploring the broader implications of Gi-hun’s fight against the organization.
Conclusion: A New Chapter Begins
The ending of Squid Game Season 1 masterfully sets up the stakes for Season 2, blending emotional depth, social commentary, and tantalizing unanswered questions. From Gi-hun’s redemptive mission to Joon-ho’s uncertain fate and the ever-present threat of the Front Man, the foundation has been laid for an even more gripping continuation.
As the countdown to December 26, 2024 begins, fans are left to wonder: Will Gi-hun succeed in dismantling the system, or will he be drawn even deeper into its web? One thing is certain - Squid Game Season 2 promises to be every bit as thrilling and thought-provoking as its predecessor. Stay tuned!
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