Squid Game: Could Front Man In-ho be Redeemed by Gi-hun?

Summary

  • The Front Man’s tragic past shaped his villainous character in Squid Game.
  • Despite his involvement in the Games, he shows potential for redemption through Gi-hun’s influence.
  • Possible redemption paths include siding with Gi-hun or sacrificing himself, mirroring iconic stories like Darth Vader’s in Star Wars.

In the popular series “Squid Game”, Hwang In-ho, often referred to as the Front Man, harbors a complex backstory that shaped him into his current form. Despite enduring a heartrending past and participating in the Squid Games himself, there remains hope for him to change his ways and emulate Gi-hun’s path towards redemption.

Involving oneself in that situation wouldn’t be an easy feat. The character known as the Front Man has been part of the Squid Games for quite some time before Gi-hun enters in season 1. As he assumes the role of Oh Young-il in season 2 of Squid Game, he spends more hours with Gi-hun, which might influence his perspective over time.

This article contains spoilers for season 2 of Squid Game.

What Happened in In-ho’s Past?

Hwang In-ho Before the Front Man

During his upbringing, In-ho’s father got remarried, welcoming a younger brother named Hwang Jun-ho into the family through his new spouse. Both In-ho and Jun-ho later chose careers in law enforcement, developing an exceptionally strong bond. This bond was evident when In-ho donated one of his kidneys to save Jun-ho’s life. Throughout his service as a police officer for approximately 14 years, In-ho earned great respect. Unfortunately, during this period, his wife fell mysteriously ill while pregnant with their first child, prompting In-ho to make significant adjustments in his life.

My spouse is gravely ill due to severe cirrhosis. Doctors recommend a liver transplant for her recovery, but an unexpected complication has arisen: she’s pregnant. The medical team advises terminating the pregnancy, yet she remains adamant in her decision otherwise.

Due to the high cost of a liver transplant necessary for his wife’s survival, In-ho found himself financially unable to pay for the operation. To resolve this problem, he turned to borrowing money from a criminal, which upset his superiors in law enforcement significantly. Although In-ho had always followed the rules and only took this loan out of desperation to save his wife, he was still fired by his boss. With no other options left, In-ho decided to compete in the 28th Squid Games, hoping it would provide him with enough money to keep his wife alive. Unfortunately, after surviving the grueling competitions, he discovered that his wife had already passed away, leaving him feeling powerless and setting the stage for his “villain origin story”.

How Has He Changed?

In-ho’s Beginning as The Front Man

For most part of his life, In-ho lived amidst a caring family and spouse, finding contentment in a job that let him assist others. However, a series of misfortunes turned his life around. His wife fell sick, he lost his job after 14 years, and was forced to participate in the gruesome Squid Games; tragically, his wife passed away upon his return home. It’s clear that his world underwent a dramatic shift, particularly given the rapid sequence of such hardships. Such experiences have the power to transform anyone.

These incidents left In-ho with a profound sense of his life having little value, driving him to take part in the Squid Games as the new Front Man. Even with his stepmother and younger brother by his side, In-ho saw no more prospects for his life, prompting him to make a drastic turnaround. He felt no more optimism towards humanity, and the only thing that offered him a chance to live was the Squid Games. It might be inferred that he felt grateful towards Oh Il-nam, the mastermind behind the Games, as he provided him with the resources required to save his wife.

In this setting, everyone participates in a game that’s evenly balanced. Those individuals have faced unfairness and bias outside, but here, they are treated equally.

When I, In-ho, join the Games alongside Seong Gi-hun in season 2, my time with the main protagonist stirs a flicker of optimism within me. Gi-hun’s unyielding spirit and dedication to ending the Games momentarily captivate me, even though I initially joined the Games to monitor him and disrupt his schemes. As the story unfolds in season 2, there are instances where I seem to resonate with Gi-hun’s words, leading some to speculate that I may still have a chance for redemption.

Potential Methods of Redemption

How Can He Be Redeemed?

Despite the profound damage his past has inflicted on In-ho, making him a key figure in the Squid Games, there remains a glimmer of hope for his redemption within the narrative. This optimism stems partly from the influence that Gi-hun has exerted over the Front Man, demonstrating that even though both were plunged into the lethal Squid Games and emerged victorious like In-ho, Gi-hun retained faith in human kindness and sought to aid his fellow players. Furthermore, alongside Gi-hun, In-ho continues to have his step-mother and Jun-ho tirelessly searching for him, hoping he’ll return home. Notably, Jun-ho is aware of In-ho’s true identity, yet this knowledge does not deter their determination.

There are several possibilities for how the character known as the Front Man could be reconciled in the future of Squid Game. In the final season, it is possible that after Gi-hun discovers his true identity, he may be able to win him over. Leveraging the friendship they formed when the Front Man was Oh Young-il, Gi-hun might persuade him that there is still a chance for redemption. Even though In-ho has been involved in terrible actions as the Front Man, there are some individuals who still support him. If Gi-hun can convince In-ho, there’s a possibility he could team up with Jun-ho and In-ho to put an end to the Games forever.

Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. Likewise, Darth Vader and the Front Man bear striking resemblances not only in their physical appearances but also in their tragic pasts. They both suffer the loss of their wives and are plunged into darkness after being manipulated by their superiors (in the Front Man’s case, Oh Il-nam). There’s a slim chance that In-ho could undergo a transformation upon witnessing the humanity in both Jun-ho and Gi-hun; however, it appears that this development may not be imminent. It is reasonable to expect that Squid Game‘s upcoming season will delve into the Front Man’s reasons for his actions, as well as examine whether Gi-hun can achieve his goals.

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2025-01-30 00:06