Will The Frontman Be The Next To Rebel?

After winning the Oscar, Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho said that if people overcame “the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles,” people would be introduced to many more amazing titles. In 2021, Netflix took the world by storm with Squid Game, a small (pun intended) Korean series, that made everyone realize that that when a narrative is strong enough, language doesn’t matter. It provided wholesome entertainment and delivered a brutal yet thought-provoking critique of capitalism through a deadly survival game. The show features a plethora of interesting characters, including Seong Gi-hun, the show’s main lead. However, one of the show’s finest characters is none other than Hwang In-ho, also known as The Front Man.

Whatever happened in Season 2 prompted the fans to ask if he could be the next to rebel against the game. Let’s break down the clues, character development, and possible outcomes.

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Front Man: The Game’s Ruthless Enforcer

In Squid Game Season 1, the Front Man was revealed to be Hwang In-ho, a former winner of the games and the missing brother of police officer Hwang Jun-ho. His role as the masked leader overseeing the deadly competition left many wondering how someone who once survived these brutal trials could now enforce them so mercilessly. Season 1 offered glimpses of his internal conflict, particularly in his decision to kill his brother. His troubled expressions and momentary hesitations hinted at buried emotions and possible regret. However, in Season 2, The Front Man shattered all the rules and entered the game himself to fail the rebellion led by Gi-hun. That was the first time viewers saw the mind behind the enforcer. He became such a significant part of the game and showed himself as someone who wanted the players to live. This aspect made The Front Man’s character even more interesting.

The ending of Squid Game Season 2 opened up more avenues for the makers to move ahead with In-ho’s story. His idea of keeping Gi-hun alive and taking him into custody could be the beginning of something really big, something that no one expects.

The Seeds of Rebellion: Why Front Man Could Turn Against the Game

In Squid Game, the masked Front Man oversees a brutal competition where players, desperate and powerless, are pitted against each other for survival—all while unseen forces pull the strings. But what happens when the overseer himself begins to question the system? If Front Man were to turn against the game, it would signal a rebellion against the very structure he once upheld, mirroring the show’s deeper themes of power, control, and the cyclical nature of oppression. Could his past, his conscience, or a deeper realization about the game’s true purpose push him to dismantle it from within? The seeds of rebellion may already be planted, waiting for the right moment to bloom.

One of the main reasons why The Front Man could turn against the VIPs is how he was prompted to shoot his own young brother, Jun-ho. However, Jun-ho’s death was never explicitly confirmed, and he returned in Season 2, wanting to find his brother and destroy the game once and for all. His survival could be the catalyst for In-ho’s rebellion. The guilt of slaying his young brother could push him to reconsider his loyalty to the mysterious VIPs controlling the game. However, the biggest reason for The Front Man’s rebellion could be Gi-hun himself. Player 456 was the only player who managed to break free from the system but ultimately chose not to move on, instead vowing to dismantle the game. But Gi-hun didn’t know that the person he was talking to during the game and allied with was actually the brand behind the games. By doing so, In-ho got to know Gi-hun inside-out and how he wanted to bury everything six feet under the ground. On the other hand, Gi-hun also exposed the true horrors of the game and its moral corruption. As a result, In-ho may find himself questioning his position as the enforcer.

Moreover, the VIPs, who place bets on human lives for their entertainment, might also turn out to be one of the reasons for his rebellion. While they treat the Front Man with a level of respect, it’s unclear if he truly has power or if he is merely another pawn in their game. If In-ho realizes he is disposable, he might decide to fight back rather than continue being their servant.

How Could Front Man Rebel?

Of course, there are many reasons why this could move forward. But one of the logical conclusions would be an alliance with Seong Gi-hun. In the ending moments of Season 2, viewers got to know that Gi-hun has been taken hostage by The Front Man. So, he might not enter the game again, but see it from the outside. This might give In-ho a chance to form an alliance with Gi-hun and destroy the organization from the inside. In-ho, grappling with the guilt of shooting his own brother and disillusionment, could secretly work with Gi-hun to sabotage the game from the inside. This twist would add a compelling dynamic to Season 3, as viewers witness a morally conflicted villain turn into an anti-hero.

Apart from that, a redemption arc is possible as well. In Season 2, In-ho told the story of how he needed money for his wife’s surgery and even though he got the money, it was too late for her. By remembering that story, In-ho might just focus on why he became an important part of such an evil organization. It might be possible that he originally came back to destroy everything, and in order to do that, he had to gain everyone’s trust, Now that he has the trust, it might be the perfect time to strike back. If In-ho recognizes the horrors he has perpetuated, he may choose to sacrifice himself to bring the game down. Whether by leaking classified information, destroying the infrastructure of the game, or directly confronting the VIPs, his actions could set the stage for the series’ climax.

If he breaks free from this fate and actively works against the game, it would mark a significant shift in the show’s narrative. The possibility of Front Man rebelling against Squid Game adds an exciting layer of complexity to the upcoming season. Whether driven by guilt, disillusionment, or a desire for justice, his potential defection could reshape the power dynamics of the series and end the series on a satisfying note.

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