Squid Game Season 2: Discovering the Fate of In-Ho’s Wife

Overview

The notorious Front Man of the Squid Games is actually Hwang In-ho, who adopts the persona of Oh Young-il in the 2024 edition of the competition.
In-ho creates a fabricated narrative to manipulate Gi-hun, masking his true intentions.
The journeys of In-ho and Gi-hun reveal significant thematic contrasts, culminating in a potent reflection of their experiences.

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Squid Game seasons 1 and 2, which are currently available for streaming on Netflix.

Season 1 of Squid Game enthralled audiences with its shocking conclusion, revealing Oh Il-nam (played by O Yeong-su) as the orchestrator of the deadly games. As the narrative unfolds into season 2, a similar twist emerges with Oh Young-il, the sinister Front Man in disguise, appearing as player 001. In the same vein as Oh Il-nam, his duplicity helps him quickly earn the trust of fellow competitors.

The actual identity of the Front Man is Hwang In-ho, portrayed by Lee Byung-hun. In-ho, unbeknownst to his stepbrother Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon), an undercover cop, has a dark history as a former winner of the Squid Games and a future associate of Oh Il-nam. The compelling question that arises is: what drove In-ho to enter the Squid Games, and why does he persist in this treacherous arena?

In-ho Reveals His Half-Truth to Gi-hun

As Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) navigates the first round of the 2024 Squid Games, “Red Light, Green Light,”In-ho cleverly disguises himself to sabotage Gi-hun’s efforts. In his initial act of interference, he advocates for the continuation of the game, but it’s his subsequent manipulative strategies that truly exploit the players’ emotions.

In episode 4 of season 2, titled “Six Legs,”In-ho shares a poignant backstory with Gi-hun, masquerading as Oh Young-il. He claims his wife suffers from severe liver cirrhosis and is pregnant, putting them in a dire situation. Despite medical advice advocating for an abortion, Ohio’s wife is resolute about carrying the pregnancy to term.

In a desperate search for a liver donor, Young-il’s financial distress leads him to borrow money from a previous client. However, this decision backfires, resulting in his termination from the police force, compelling him to participate in the Squid Games as a last resort.

The Truth About In-ho’s Wife

Upon witnessing Young-il’s heartfelt monologue—brilliantly delivered by Byung-hun—viewers may take his narrative at face value. Although there is a kernel of truth, a deeper look at earlier scenes from season 2, particularly in episode 2 titled “Halloween Party,”reveals significant discrepancies.

In one scene, Jun-ho is at a mausoleum, conversing with his mother, who expresses concern over whether In-ho has visited. Close examination showcases a crypt adorned with a black-and-white photo of In-ho alongside an unidentified woman, presumably his late wife, with dried flowers symbolizing neglect.

Later, during a dinner visit with his mother, Jun-ho learns of her fears regarding In-ho’s estrangement. She speculates that he harbors resentment due to her perceived lack of affection towards him as her stepson.

While her fears seem unfounded, they stem from a complicated history. In-ho once saved Jun-ho’s life by donating a kidney, but he felt abandoned when his own wife’s health deteriorated without any support from Park Mal-soon, Jun-ho’s mother.

Though Jun-ho attempts to assuage his mother’s fears, In-ho’s previous role as a dedicated officer lost to corruption showcases a tragic irony. His misguided choices to secure funds for his wife’s treatment not only led him to the Squid Games but also strained his family connections.

In-ho and Gi-hun: A Tale of Diverging Fates

Observers with careful attention may note the striking parallel between In-ho’s backstory and Gi-hun’s, albeit with contrasting outcomes. Gi-hun initially joins the games to secure a financial future for his ailing mother, only to lose her before he can celebrate his victory. In a similar fashion, In-ho’s story unfolds with heart-wrenching tragedy.

The juxtaposition of In-ho and Gi-hun’s experiences is a compelling narrative thread in season 2. In-ho’s desire to exact retribution on Gi-hun for his empathetic nature sets the stage for the intense drama of the season’s finale. Yet, whether the Front Man will achieve his vengeful aspirations remains an unanswered question, compelling viewers to anticipate the unfolding of Squid Game season 3.

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