Squid Gameseason 3 left the door open for a fourth season or a spinoff, thanks to the Front Man’s ending. Brilliantly played by Lee Byung-hun, In-ho was more than just the main villain ofSquid Game. Between his Young-il persona and the man behind the mask, the Front Man was incredibly complex.
Thecast ofSquid Gameconsisted of both huge stars and up-and-coming actors, but In-ho often stole the show despite not appearing that much without his mask in season 3. What’s next for the Netflix franchise after “Humans Are..” remains to be seen, but even ifSquid Gameseason 4doesn’t happen, there are ways for In-ho’s story to continue.
In-ho Is The Only Squid Game Character Who Didn’t Get Closure
The Front Man’s Story Doesn’t Seem To Be Over
WhileSquid Game’s series finalewas tragic,most of the characters got some closure.For example, even though Jun-ho didn’t get to have a conversation with his brother, the former detective seemed to have come to terms with In-ho’s decision and was planning to start a new life after helping stop the games (at least the ones played in Korea).
There is a sense of closure at the end ofSquid Gameseason 3, except for Lee Byung-hun’s character.
Likewise,Gi-hun’s daughter may never learn what exactly happened to her father, but at least she knows that he is gone.Sae-byeok’s brother is finally reunited with his mother, while No-eul is closer than ever to finding her daughter. That’s not to mention Park Gyeong-seok, the only player outside of the baby who survived and got to return home.
There is a sense of closure at the end ofSquid Gameseason 3, except for Lee Byung-hun’s character. The Front Man did his job as the host of the Squid Game and made sure that “Player 222” would receive the prize money. But other than that,there was no closure for In-ho.
Despite only having a few lines in the first season ofSquid Game, the Front Man grew to become one of the most important and complex characters in the show. And yet, I can’t help but feel like In-ho’s arc is not over.The Front Man didn’t have a proper conversation with his brother,and we don’t know how muchGi-hun’s deathaffected him.
Gi-hun’s Sacrifice Means That Player 456 Beat The Front Man
The Front Man Couldn’t Get The Best Of Gi-hun
Squid Game’s seasons 2 and 3 can only be described as a battle between Player 456 and the Front Man. Two former winners, Gi-hun and In-ho had opposite stances on whether humans can be good. Whereas Gi-hun believed that the people were still worth fighting for,In-ho gave up on humanity after experiencing the games and the loss of his wife and child.
We see inSquid Gameseason 3 that Il-nam offered In-ho the same opportunity that In-ho offered Gi-hun ahead of the final game.The Front Man wanted to break Gi-hun’s spirit and bring him down to his level, which ultimately did not happen. By refusing to kill the other players in advance, Gi-hun beat the Front Man.
Gi-hun’s death itself was another defeat for the Front Man. Player 456 saw the worst of humanity twice forthree seasons ofSquid Game, but he still believed that people are not horses and should not be treated as disposable, regardless of how awful they can be.
How The Front Man’s Fate In Season 3 Sets Up A Squid Game Sequel
In-ho Didn’t Look Too Happy About The Games Continuing
Although many of us were assuming thatSquid Gameseason 3 was going to tease some sort of spinoff, I don’t think anyone was expecting a two-time Oscar-winning actor to appear recruiting people for the games in Los Angeles.Cate Blanchett’s cameo inSquid Gameisn’t confirmation that a spinoff is happening, but it does establish that the games will continue in at least one other country.
With Lee Jung-jae’s Gi-hun dead, there would be no better character from the original show to appear in a sequel or spinoff than the Front Man.
The exchange of looks between In-ho and Blanchett’s character was one of my favorite moments of the season.The Front Man seemed concerned and perhaps even disgusted at the thought of the games continuingregardless of what happened in Korea, even though he was likely already aware of international versions of theSquid Game.
When asked about the rumored David Fincher spinoff,Squid Gamecreator Hwang Dong-Hyuk said that nothing has been said to him officially by Netflix, but that he is a huge fan of Fincher’s work and would be interested to watch that if it were to happen (viaThe Hollywood Reporter).
Lee Byung-hun’s subtle acting in those final minutes of season 3 makes me think that In-ho is reevaluating his stance on the games. And with Lee Jung-jae’s Gi-hun dead, there would be no better character from the original show to appear in a sequel or spinoff than the Front Man himself.
It would be interesting to see In-ho in a potential AmericanSquid Gamespinoff, especially if he were to try to stop the games. The Front Man was not redeemed at the end of season 3, and we can’t affirm that he is a better person now just because Gi-hun’s sacrifice affected him. Still, after that final scene, I could definitely see In-ho’s story continuing.
Squid Game
Cast
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.
