Squid Game season 1 ended by killing off the most interesting villain, but by using a classic timeline trick, the character could potentially make a return to the series. Squid Game season 1 premiered on Netflix in September 2021 and quickly became the platform’s most-watched original show. The first season follows Seong Gi-hun, who joins the Squid Games to pay back his massive amounts of debts and his mother’s hospital bills. However, the secret competition does not only have a massive prize for the winner but also grave consequences for the losers.
Following the show’s success, it was announced that Squid Game season 2 will be released in late 2024. Season 2 will follow Seong Gi-hun’s pursuit to dismantle the Squid Game establishment, as a new round of the competition is set to begin. However, at the end of Squid Game season 1, the show’s most interesting villain was killed off before ever exploring his backstory. Squid Game season 2’s story has the potential to use a classic storytelling technique that would allow for the return of this central antagonist to the series.
Squid Game Season 2 Can’t Use Il-Nam In Its Present Storyline After His Season 1 Fate
In the Squid Game season 1 ending, Oh Il-Nam is revealed as the main antagonist of the story, as he is the creator of the Squid Games. However, this is only revealed to Seong Gi-hun when II-Nam is on his deathbed. Gi-hun met Il-Nam during the games and quickly created an alliance with him. However, in a game of Marbles, the pair were forced to compete against each other, leading to the “death” of II-Nam.
Gi-hun ends up winning the games and one year after their conclusion, he receives an invitation card from II-Nam. II-Nam is revealed to be the creator and host of the Squid Games and only participated in the current games because of his brain tumor. II-Nam then dies in bed, which kills off the show’s main antagonist. If the show continues with the present storyline, then there is no opportunity for II-Nam’s character to be explored any further.
Squid Game Can Use A Timeline Trick To Keep Its Villain Around Longer
Even though II-Nam died at the end of Squid Game season 1, there is a way that the show could bring back this character. While Squid Game season 2 will focus on Gi-hun’s quest to put an end to the games themselves, the series could use a storytelling technique of splitting the timelines. This approach would allow the storyline to progress in the present with Gi-hun’s journey while simultaneously delving into the origins of the games.
This storytelling method can be seen in the iconic film The Godfather Part II, where the narrative focuses on Michael Corleone’s efforts to sustain his empire, while the film also explores Vito Corleone’s growing empire in the past. By dividing the narrative like this, viewers can gain more insight into the backstory, making the present timeline more impactful. If Squid Game season 2 adopts this storytelling technique, the narrative could effectively portray Gi-hun’s endeavors to dismantle the games while witnessing II-Nam’s efforts to establish them.
Season 2 Can Expand On The Games Themselves By Splitting Its Narrative
At the end of Squid Game season 1, Il-Nam reveals he’s behind the Squid Games before he dies, which leaves numerous unanswered questions about their inception and his motivations. What’s known about II-Nam is that he is an immensely wealthy financial tycoon, who is bored with his wealth. To cure his boredom, he created games based on the games he would play as a child. The games began in 1988, which drew in affluent elites over the years to witness the intense competition among people desperate for money.
By the 33rd iteration of the Squid Games in 2020, II-Nam, who was dying of a brain tumor, decided to participate. There are still many questions that surround his character, and the show has the opportunity to shed light on his backstory. If the show were to bring back the original actor for flashback scenes or cast a younger version of the character to portray the inception of the games, the narrative could expand on the history of the games. This would also allow Squid Game season 2 to bring back its most interesting villain to the series.
Squid Game
In Squid Game, a mysterious invitation to join a competition is sent to people at risk who are in dire need of money. Four hundred fifty-six participants from all walks of life are locked into a secret location where they play games to win 45.6 billion won. Games are selected from traditional Korean children’s games, such as Red Light and Green Light, but the consequence of losing is death. To survive, competitors must choose their alliances carefully – but the further they go in the competition, the more likely betrayal will rear its ugly head.
- Release Date
- September 17, 2021
