Squid Game Season 2: Who Is Jung-bae?

Summary

Park Jung-bae becomes a vital supporting character in Squid Game 2, forming an alliance with Gi-hun.
Jung-bae’s life takes unfortunate turns post-Season 1, revealing a more complex character than expected.
Marine-turned-deadbeat Jung-bae dies in the Season 2 finale, killed by villain In-ho.

HEADS UP: This article reveals plot points from the upcoming Season 2 of Squid Game, currently available on Netflix.

The second season of “Squid Game” features the return of several characters, including fan favorites like Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon. Interestingly, some characters who had less prominent roles in the first season are set to play a bigger part in this new installment.

As a movie reviewer, I’d say: In “Squid Game 2,” we find Park Jung-bae, a character who previously held minor roles, stepping into the limelight. My old acquaintance, Gi-hun, reconnects with him at the beginning of the 2024 Squid Games, swiftly forming an alliance. This season offers intriguing insights into Jung-bae’s past, painting a portrait of a more nuanced character than the familiar racetrack figure we met in Season 1.

Jung-bae First Appeared in Squid Game’s Pilot

In my first review, I introduced the character Jung-bae for the very first time, back in season 1, episode 1, titled “Red Light, Green Light.” This duo spends their day immersed in an Off-Track-Betting establishment. When Gi-hun strikes it big with a substantial win, they swiftly exit the scene as Gi-hun deftly sidesteps loan sharks who are after his unpaid debts.

As a diehard movie enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about the gripping appearance of Jung-bae in the second episode of season 1, titled “Hell.” Following the tumultuous events of Squid Game in 2020, where participants like myself were left penniless, our protagonist Gi-hun finds himself back home with no money to his name. Desperate for a financial lifeline, I find myself knocking on the door of Jung-bae’s modest establishment – the Healing Pub, a cozy bar he runs in partnership with his spouse.

In a bid to secure a loan of three million won, I humbly approach my friend Jung-bae. However, my hopes are dashed as he politely declines, and we part ways, each left to our own devices.

Jung-bae Reunites With Gi-Hun in Season 2

Gi-hun had not crossed paths with Jung-bae for three years, but their reunion came at the start of the 2024 edition of Squid Game in season 2. Despite having some personal problems, Jung-bae is a dependable teammate and a friend who can be trusted.

Jung-bae Went Through Several Changes

In the year 2024, Gi-hun encounters a shocking twist as he enters the Squid Games. Navigating maze-like staircases towards the “Red Light, Green Light” arena, he finds himself pursued by Jung-bae – someone who thought him dead. As they reconnect, it becomes clear that Jung-bae’s life has faced numerous hardships. His marriage ended in divorce, leaving his ex-wife with full custody of their child. Furthermore, his financial situation is dire as he owes vast sums to creditors, and even 20 million won doesn’t come close to covering his mounting interest payments.

A Veteran Marine

In season 2, it might seem like Jung-bae is just a lazy slacker. However, viewers discover that this unsuspecting character has hidden depths. One of these revelations is that Jung-bae is actually a war veteran. During season 2, episode 4 titled “Six Legs,” a spirited and youthful player named Kang Dae-ho, portrayed by Kang Ha-neul, expresses admiration towards Gi-hun. Sitting next to Gi-hun, Jung-bae notices a tattoo on Dae-ho’s arm and inquires about it. Upon learning that the tattoo represents service in the Korean Marines, Jung-bae surprises Dae-ho by revealing he too has the same tattoo hidden under his sleeve.

Jung-bae’s Death in the Season 2 Finale

Over the next two contests, Jung-bae forms an alliance with Gi-hun, Dae-ho, Oh Young-il (actually Hwang In-ho in secret), and other players who aim to put an end to the Squid Games. Unfortunately, a tragic incident marks him as a target. During a climactic confrontation, the soldier meets his demise at the hands of the villainous Front Man.

Jung-bae Sees Something He’s Not Supposed To

In the sixth episode of season 2 titled “O X,” the storyline for Jung-bae takes a significant twist as he participates in Mingle, a game where players form teams with a specific number of members and claim vacant rooms to survive. The final round demands that players pair up, but there aren’t enough rooms for everyone. Consequently, many players are eliminated or “killed” off. Luckily, Jung-bae and Young-il manage to secure a room, but their group expands unexpectedly with an additional guest. To prevent elimination, Young-il cruelly kills the extra player.

Seeing Young-il kill a fellow contestant makes Jung-bae uneasy. He tries to alert Gi-hun and Dae-ho about Young-il’s actions, but when Young-il votes decisively for the X’s (those who want the games to end), Jung-bae chooses not to share his worries with them.

In-Ho Kills Jung-Bae to Punish Gi-Hun

In the evening’s late hours, Gi-hun and his accomplices devise a plan for an uprising during the night’s quiet. A number of crucial figures rally with him, such as Dae-ho, ex-soldier Cho Hyun-ju (Park Sung-hoon), and Jung-bae. When the guards enter the dormitories to break up the fighting among X’s and O’s, the rebels surprise them and seize their weapons.

As a passionate cinema enthusiast, I find myself immersed in the gripping tale of a groundbreaking group of rebels. We’ve been battling hordes of pink-suited soldiers en route to the Fortress of the Front Man. However, it seems our ranks harbor a hidden enemy – none other than our comrade, Young-il, who goes by the alias In-ho and is actually the Front Man himself. In a heart-wrenching twist, In-ho abandons us at a crucial juncture, leading to our capture by the guards.

Later, In-ho reappears wearing his Front Man costume and faces off against Gi-hun. One might expect In-ho to eliminate Gi-hun, thereby ending the rebellion permanently. Instead, he aims his gun at Jung-bae, fatally shooting Gi-hun’s most trusted game companion. Just before firing, In-ho sternly reprimands Gi-hun with a chilling remark:

As a Movie Buff, I found myself immersed in the role of the protagonist. Yet, let’s not forget to scrutinize the ripple effects of this seemingly innocent role-playing.

2025-01-10 22:11