Squid Game season 2, episode 3 brings Gi-hun back to the famous competition, and its ending offers a significant twist involving the Front Man. Aptly titled “001,” this episode focuses on the new group of players who must take part in one of the most memorable games from season 1 — Red Light, Green Light.
This game sets the stage for the drama and intensity that follows. At the end of the episode, players are asked to vote on whether the tournament should continue.
The vote is nearly tied, and the deciding factor comes down to Player 001. With his face obscured from view, Player 001 chooses to proceed with the Games. As he walks away, viewers discover a shocking truth — Player 001 is actually the Front Man.
This twist sets up a dynamic new layer to the story, as Gi-hun and the Front Man’s paths cross in unexpected ways. Their earlier interactions in season 1 were tense, but In-ho’s decision to join the Games in season 2 introduces fresh opportunities for the two to interact.
Gi-hun, however, is unaware of the true identity of this new participant. Posing as a character named Oh Young-il, In-ho ensures that Gi-hun has no way of connecting him to the shadowy figure who controls the competition. This calculated move highlights the manipulative nature of the Front Man and his willingness to play both sides to achieve his goals.
The Front Man’s Role in the Games
The Front Man’s unexpected decision to join the competition as Player 001 might surprise fans, but his motives are deeply rooted in strategy. He aims to challenge and weaken Gi-hun’s spirit, as the protagonist remains one of the few people who believes in the potential for humanity’s goodness.
Gi-hun has made it his mission to dismantle the Games from within, but the Front Man is determined to prove that this goal is impossible.
By participating in the Games himself, the Front Man gains an insider’s perspective and the ability to manipulate the outcome more effectively. This role allows him to observe Gi-hun closely, disrupt his plans, and exploit his weaknesses. In many ways, the Front Man’s presence in the tournament represents a direct threat to Gi-hun’s beliefs and mission.
The Front Man appears particularly fascinated by Gi-hun’s behavior during Red Light, Green Light. He watches with keen interest as Gi-hun tries to protect and motivate the other players, even at great personal risk. This curiosity drives him to engage with Gi-hun more directly in subsequent episodes.
In episode 4, for example, the Front Man, disguised as Young-il, strikes up conversations with Gi-hun, asking probing questions about his motives and aspirations. His expressionless demeanor makes it impossible for Gi-hun to discern his true intentions, adding an air of unpredictability to their exchanges.
The Front Man’s interest in Gi-hun seems to stem from a mix of admiration and the desire to study what makes him so different from other participants.
The Importance of the Vote
A pivotal moment in episode 3 occurs when the players are given a choice to either continue or end the Games. They stand in front of two symbols — a blue circle and a red X — and cast their votes anonymously. The result is nearly a tie, with Player 001 holding the deciding vote.
By choosing to proceed, Player 001 ensures the tournament continues, aligning with the Front Man’s overarching goals. His actions satisfy two key objectives: appeasing the VIPs who fund and watch the Games and maintaining his opportunity to psychologically manipulate Gi-hun.
The VIPs thrive on the chaos and drama of the tournament, so the Games must persist to keep them entertained. Ending the competition prematurely would not only disappoint the VIPs but also undermine the Front Man’s authority.
In episode 4, Gi-hun confronts Young-il, questioning his decision to break the tie in favor of continuing the Games. In response, Young-il offers a thought-provoking argument, asking why one group’s wishes should outweigh the other’s when the vote is so evenly split.
He remarks, “Let’s say I pressed X, and we all left. Would everyone have been happy?” This comment underscores deeper themes of democracy, morality, and the balance of power. The Front Man uses this rationale to disguise his true motives, but his argument also highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by those involved in the Games.
Why Gi-hun Fails to Recognize the Front Man
A key factor in the Front Man’s success as Player 001 is that Gi-hun does not recognize him. This is partly due to the fact that Gi-hun has never seen the Front Man’s face. At the end of season 1, the two share a conversation in a limousine after Gi-hun wins the Games.
However, Gi-hun is blindfolded during this exchange, leaving him unable to identify the man behind the mask. The Front Man also uses voice-modulating technology during their earlier interactions, ensuring that Gi-hun cannot associate his current voice with the one he heard in the past.
These measures ensure that Gi-hun remains unaware of Young-il’s true identity. This allows the Front Man to operate freely within the tournament while continuing to manipulate events from behind the scenes. His ability to blend into the competition as a regular participant makes him an even more dangerous opponent.
Season 2’s New Take on a Familiar Twist
The revelation that the Front Man is Player 001 is a deliberate callback to season 1’s twist involving Oh Il-nam. In the first season, Oh Il-nam befriends Gi-hun, creating a shattered emotional connection when his true role in the Games is revealed.
Similarly, In-ho’s actions as Player 001 aim to gain Gi-hun’s trust, but his motives are far more sinister than those of his predecessor.
While Oh Il-nam seems to view Gi-hun as a fascinating study of human behavior, In-ho’s interest in him is tinged with malice. The Front Man seeks to exploit Gi-hun’s humanity, using it as a tool to break him. This contrast adds depth to the narrative, as viewers are left to anticipate how Gi-hun will respond when he eventually discovers the truth.
One major difference between the twists in seasons 1 and 2 lies in the audience’s perspective. In season 1, viewers share Gi-hun’s shock when Oh Il-nam is revealed as a key figure behind the Games. In season 2, however, the audience is already aware of the Front Man’s identity, creating a sense of dramatic irony. This shift in storytelling keeps the narrative fresh while maintaining the tension and intrigue that define the series.
Building Toward the Ultimate Confrontation
The interplay between Gi-hun and the Front Man promises to be a central focus of season 2. As Gi-hun continues to face the challenges of the Games, he will likely come to question Young-il’s motives and actions. The slow buildup to their eventual confrontation ensures that their dynamic remains compelling, with each new interaction adding layers of complexity to the story.
This evolving relationship sets the stage for what could be a powerful showdown in the series’ final episodes. Whether Gi-hun ultimately succeeds in exposing the Games or falls victim to the Front Man’s schemes, his journey will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on both the characters and the audience.
