Squid Game Season-Premiere Recap: Survivor’s Guilt

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It seems like the return of Squid Game for its final installment came sooner than expected, just under six months since its debut. Show creator Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed that the story was initially intended as a single tale but was divided into two seasons due to its length. While a longer season might have been manageable, it’s understandable given the division. The moment Player 456 is carried back into the dorm area in a coffin feels strikingly similar to him re-entering the games for another round. The character of Gi-hun has evolved significantly since his introduction in 2021. He’s no longer the naive gambling addict, but he’s also not the righteous, system-fighting former winner who encouraged players to unite against each other. In the aftermath of his failed rebellion at the end of season two, Gi-hun shows no interest in leading again.

The series commences by revealing that Player 246, also known as single father Gyeong-seok, didn’t perish in the uprising; instead, pink soldier No-eul didn’t intend to kill him when she fired. Perhaps she’s contemplating the daughter she too abandoned? Another soldier who once harmed No-eul and threatened her with violence is foolish enough to assume that she now desires to be associated with him in his criminal activities, specifically organ trafficking, which she had previously sought to thwart. However, before this scheme can unfold, No-eul resorts to violence. The soldier who escorted her to the operating room dies smirking upon learning she fled North Korea after murdering a commander similar to him. Once all other soldiers are deceased, No-eul threatens to kill Gyeong-seok unless he survives. She donates her blood for his treatment, but it’s uncertain if it will be sufficient.

In the dorm reside our remaining rebels: Gi-hun, Hyun-ju, and Dae-ho. Upon realizing the severity of the casualties and recalling his friend Jung-bae’s demise, Gi-hun forgoes seeking revenge. Instead, he points a pink soldier’s gun at his own forehead, shouting, “What more do you want from me? You’ve won, so go ahead and kill me!” Once he’s restrained to a bed, he falls quiet, refusing to participate in voting. His apathy towards the vote is evident, as even if he had voted, it wouldn’t have changed the 41-18 outcome, given the high number of his allies who perished. Gi-hun doesn’t respond when Jeong-dae, a player burdened with debt and needing to reach the final four to clear it all, applauds him sarcastically alongside the other Os. When Seon-nyeo, the shaman, suggests that he was brought to the game by vengeful spirits who will make his friends’ screams grow louder until his death, Gi-hun attempts to attack her neck. However, he remains silent throughout the ordeal.

At mealtime, the pair consisting of Geum-ja and Yong-sik confront Gi-hun, while Hyun-ju trails behind to express regret for not contributing more (surprisingly, given her exceptional military skills that drove the entire operation). It’s eventually revealed that Dae-ho, who agreed to fetch ammunition for the rebels, got scared and failed to follow through. Despite Geum-ja’s advice against placing blame during such critical times, Gi-hun begins to glare at Dae-ho, who is eating sweet potatoes, intensifying his gaze when he notices Jung-bae and other rebels suspended in the stairwell as a chilling reminder of the consequences for those refusing the “democratic” method of voting. Uncomfortable, Dae-ho tries to evade Gi-hun’s stare.

In this scenario, contestants are assigned to either red or blue teams by a colossal vending machine for the upcoming game, which is revealed to be an extreme adaptation of hide-and-seek. The objective for red team members is to locate and eliminate a player from the blue team within half an hour. To ensure balance, blue players receive keys that open doors leading to hiding spots or exits, while red players are armed with knives. Prior to the game commencing, participants are granted the opportunity to trade their items with any member from the opposing team, prompting some revealing trades as characters contemplate their own ability to commit murder.

At first, Jun-hee insists on staying in the red team, despite Myung-gi suggesting a swap or even offering to sacrifice himself. It’s clear that she aims to be a self-reliant mother. A simple gesture like sharing food isn’t enough for her to forgive him. I don’t want to imagine her pursuing someone with the intent to harm them, especially given her pregnant state. Fortunately, just in the nick of time, she gives Myung-gi her knife and red vest, instructing him to honor his promise and protect her as soon as he can.

Yong-sik and Geum-ja come to a mutual understanding where they exchange roles, with Yong-sick becoming red. Despite his past of being bullied extensively, he plans to resolve the situation swiftly so he can find her. She assures them both that she’ll make it through. It’s shocking to discover that Geum-ja’s unfaithful husband used to physically abuse and threaten her, but she points out that she lived beyond him – not just that, but she still possesses a hairpin as a means of self-defense.

As part of the red team, I find myself being the target of Dae-ho’s frantic search for someone to take his blue vest and key. Every time I catch him looking my way, I can feel his intensity building. Eventually, he approaches me in a fit of anger, mumbling curses under his breath. He accuses me of causing the death of the other rebels because we didn’t fight in the dorm during the previous vote. If we had, he claims, the Xs could have won. When he starts getting physical, a soldier intervenes with a gun to his back, and Dae-ho calms down. Despite his accusations, I remain silent.

Significantly, Nam-gyu and Min-su are both members of the red team. While others seem to trust Seon-nyeo, Nam-gyu continues to have unwavering faith in a cross necklace he obtained from Thanos, which he believes contains drugs. He also persists in being harsh towards Min-su, who continues to grapple with guilt over betraying Se-mi during the door game and failing to protect her from Nam-gyu during the dorm fight. Remarkably quiet like Gi-hun, Min-su merely glares angrily at Nam-gyu when he teases him for not helping Se-mi and suggests that he’ll need to toughen up to endure this game. Despite his timid demeanor, it’s clear that Min-su is no longer hiding or playing games. He stands firm and resolute.

Meanwhile, detective Jun-ho continues his game of hide-and-seek with his brother In-ho (a.k.a. Front Man), oblivious to the fact that In-ho has ordered Captain Park to eliminate anyone who comes close to discovering the island. The fisherman’s brutal attack on a drone operator has caught our attention, but it seems he holds more power than we initially thought, capable of taking out an entire team. At first, Jun-ho brushes off Woo-seok’s worries about Captain Park by implying that Woo-seok may have a drinking problem. However, as Woo-seok departs to gather evidence, Jun-ho refrains from revealing the true motivation, suggesting that he might be growing suspicious. It remains uncertain how much assistance Woo-seok can provide from land, even if he does uncover proof.

In this new scenario, the blue team members re-enter a chamber adorned with a starry dome and bricks embellished with juvenile scribbles and artwork. With no one to swap places, Jeong-dae assumes command, guiding his teammates to disperse and shout upon locating the exit for a swift escape. I’d wager 45.6 billion won that if he manages to discover the way out first, he won’t be calling for others to follow him. Given his financial struggles and self-centered nature, it’s unlikely he’d wish for more people to make it through alive.

While they’re all preparing to move in, Nam-gyu suggests to Myung-gi a temporary alliance, likening it to an unexpected partnership. He uses somewhat provocative language, describing their union as a “one-night stand.” Despite initially sharing animosity towards Myung-gi due to his cryptocurrency scheme, Nam-gyu now praises Myung-gi effusively for stabbing Thanos, calling him “incredible” instead. Intriguingly, Myung-gi consents to this alliance. On the other hand, Jun-hee appears distressed, leaning against a wall and breathing heavily – let’s hope it’s not labor pains! It’s comforting to see that Hyun-ju is on the blue team, ready to assist both Jun-hee and Geum-ja, who might be potential targets for red players.

Lastly, Gi-hun is prepared to speak, though it sounds more like a growl hidden beneath his words. “It’s your fault,” he accuses. To clarify, whether Dae-ho managed to acquire the ammo or not, Gi-hun’s rebellion was destined to fail (given that the Front Man they were pursuing was usually with them). I must admit, I can’t entirely blame Dae-ho because his outburst played a role in Hyun-ju’s survival. However, it seems as though Gi-hun isn’t inclined for a peaceful, rational conversation with Dae-ho at this moment, given how tightly he grips his knife and approaches the entrance. For now, the game has effectively caused Gi-hun to direct his sorrow and rage towards another player instead of the system they are both trapped within.

Parting Shots

In a different phrasing: The Korean term “goguma” signifies sweet potato, but it can also symbolize scenes in a series that are irritating due to passive characters or unresolved unfair circumstances – scenes where the storyline seems stagnant, just as a piece of dry sweet potato might seem lodged in your throat. Given Gi-hun’s silence and restraint throughout this episode, there could be an additional interpretation to the day’s meal, which Geum-ja suggests Gi-hun eat with water.

Perhaps Seon-nyeo’s desire to be a religious leader stems from something else entirely. If she yearns for a following so strongly, she might want to think about venturing into social media as a beauty influencer instead. Her eyeliner has been remarkably resilient these past few days – it seems like the makeup brand she uses is worth promoting!

During this game, phrases such as “Young-hee, let’s play” and “Mom, I love you” were scribbled on the wall, along with what seemed to be a skull from a famous Korean children’s song about death. The detail in the set design, even for parts only briefly visible, is admirable.

It’s clear why composer Jung Jae-il has earned his fame, as both Parasite and Okja’s scenes were significantly amplified by his music.

Last season, I often found myself puzzling over the whereabouts of the VIPs since I had forgotten that they typically appear later in the game. However, as In-ho mentioned, it seems they are now en route. Will the delivery of the English dialogue sound more natural this time around?

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2025-06-27 11:54