What Happened to In-Ho’s Wife in Squid Game?

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Summary

  • The Front Man is Hwang In-Ho, masquerading as Oh Young-il in the 2024 Squid Games.
  • In-ho fabricates a sob story to deceive Gi-hun, concealing ulterior motives.
  • In-ho’s fate echoes Gi-hun’s backstory, highlighting their divergent paths.

HEADS UP: This article reveals key plot points from both seasons 1 and 2 of the popular Netflix series, “Squid Game”. Proceed with caution if you’d rather not be spoiled!

In the gripping finale of Squid Game season 1, it was none other than character 001, Oh Il-nam (brilliantly portrayed by O Yeong-su), who pulled the curtain back, revealing himself as the cunning architect behind the gruesome tournament. Now, in Squid Game season 2, the surprise factor remains intact with player 001 being revealed as none other than the infamous Front Man, Oh Young-il, hiding beneath a false identity. Just like his predecessor, Oh Young-il swiftly earns the trust of his fellow players, keeping us on the edge of our seats!

From my perspective, I’m Hwang In-ho, the one known as The Front Man, who happens to be Jun-ho’s stepbrother. However, here’s a secret I’ve yet to reveal to my stepbrother: I was once a participant in the Squid Game and have since been recruited by Oh Il-nam. But what prompted me to join the Squid Games and why did I remain? That’s a story for another time.

In-ho Tells Gi-hun a Half-Truth

Following Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) guiding his teammates in Squid Game 2024’s initial contest, “Red Light, Green Light,” In-ho secretly joins the game to sabotage Gi-hun. His first move involves casting the deciding vote to prolong the game. Yet, In-ho’s subsequent actions become more devious, aiming to sway his fellow players’ emotions.

In season 2, episode 4 titled “Six Legs,” In-ho opens up to Gi-hun about his reasons for participating in the games. Disguised as Oh Young-il, In-ho tells Gi-hun that his wife is critically ill due to liver cirrhosis and pregnant with their child. Medical professionals advise an abortion, but his wife refuses to comply, being obstinate.

As I desperately sought a liver donor, I found myself in a tight spot, needing to borrow funds from an old client. Sadly, my higher-ups perceived this transaction as a bribe and I lost my job. With no other options left, participating in the Squid Game became my only choice.

In-ho’s Wife Already Passed

Audience members who watched Young-il’s monologue (delivered masterfully by Byung-hun) might find themselves convinced that his tale is genuine. To an extent, the character portrayed as a pawn is telling the truth. Nevertheless, those swayed by In-ho’s narrative should revisit two key scenes from season 2, episode 2, titled “Halloween Party.

Initially, Jun-ho pays a visit to a tomb while he’s on a call with his mother. She inquires if he can look for indications that his brother had stopped by. Later on, the camera focuses on a detailed shot of a crypt displaying a black-and-white photo of In-ho and an unidentified woman (probably In-ho’s late spouse). The flowers nearby are wilted and brittle.

As I sat down for a meal with my mother, Park Mal-soon, in the next scene, she confided in me her heartfelt concerns. She expressed her belief that In-ho has distanced himself from both of us, viewing him as merely my biological son rather than recognizing our shared family bond. She worried that he might perceive her affection for him diminished due to his stepson status.

Is it justified for Park Mal-soon to fear her stepson? Not really, but she has valid grounds for suspecting he harbors animosity towards her. While Jun-ho was unwell, In-ho donated his kidney to him and thus saved his stepbrother’s life. However, when In-ho’s spouse fell ill, Park Mal-soon had no means to assist her.

Instead of agreeing with her, Jun-ho disputes his mother’s assumptions. It’s important to remember that In-ho was once a respected police officer before his wife became ill. Yes, he did take bribes from criminals to cover the costs of his wife’s treatments (even though he had an unblemished record beforehand). These choices ultimately led him to become entangled in the Squid Games and caused a rift between them.

How In-ho’s Fate Mirrors Gi-hun’s

Viewers who have keen memories might recognize that In-ho and Gi-hun’s background stories bear some similarities, though they led to distinct outcomes. Initially, Gi-hun entered the Squid Game to earn money for his mother’s diabetes care. Regrettably, she passed away before he could return home victorious. Similarly, In-ho found himself in a situation where he too participated in the game to secure funds for a family member’s medical needs, but the results for him were also unfortunate.

The shared traits between Gi-hun and In-ho, who both emerged victorious from the Squid Game yet followed starkly contrasting routes, is a key motif in season 2. Driven by his desire to exact revenge on Gi-hun for his empathetic nature, In-ho’s actions culminate in the heartbreaking ending of season 2. However, will the Front Man ultimately prevail? We’ll have to tune in to Squid Game season 3 to discover the answer.

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2025-01-10 01:38