‘Squid Game’ creator mulls ‘heavy’ death in season 2 finale

Deadly risks for “Squid Game” Their emotional weight has always been matched by them, and the Season 2 finale delivers one of its most wrenching moments yet.

In a recent interview, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk talked about crafting this pivotal scene, the emotional weight it carries, and why it was the right moment to deliver such a devastating blow to both the characters and the audience.

WARNING: There are major spoilers for the Season 2 finale of “Squid Game,” now streaming on Netflix.

“Squid Game” Season 2 concludes its intense seventh and final episode with a devastating blow: Ji Hoon (Lee Jung Jae) witnesses the brutal execution of his closest ally, Jung Bae (Lee Seo Hwan). The fatal shot was fired by The Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) after Gi-hun sparked a mutiny among the remaining players.

While Jung Bae’s death is already a shocking and sad moment, it carries even more weight for viewers. Unlike Gi-hun, the audience is painfully aware of The Front Man’s true identity: In-ho, the former Squid Game champion who has since risen to become the mysterious master enforcer of the deadly competition.

Throughout the game, In-ho disguises himself as Player 001 under the alias Young-il, integrating himself within Gi-hun and Jung-bae’s inner circle. By building trust and feigning loyalty to their cause and uprising, he expertly manipulates their bond.

But in a chilling turn, In-ho sheds his disguise, reclaims his role as frontman, and fires the fatal shot at Jung-bae – an act of brutal punishment aimed directly at Gi-hun.

“Squid Game” Season 2 The film concludes with a stunning scene in which the front man (In-ho, disguised as Young-il – though Ji-hoon remains unaware) mercilessly kills Jung-bae before Ji-hoon’s eyes. After being detained by the Pink Guards, Ji-hoon is forced to watch in horror as his friend bleeds out, his cries echoing in despair.

“When I first wrote the story for Seasons 2 and 3, it was one long story,” said “Squid Game” creator Hwang Dong-hyuk. diverse. “And I was originally planning to write this story over about eight to nine episodes, but once I finished the story, it came to over 10 episodes, which I thought was too long to fit into one season.”

“So I wanted to have a decent point where I could finish Season 2 and then move forward with Season 3. And when you look at Ji Hoon’s story, all the attempts he made to stop the game: the first was to get these mercenaries and try to plant a tracking device, which failed; The second to try to convince people to vote so they can leave the game, which will also fail; and then the third and final attempt to bring people together and cause a rebellion, which will also fail.”

Hwang Dong-hyuk went on to explain how all of his failures “led to this heavy, heavy crisis of having to lose his best friend, Jung-bae, at the hands of his front man.”

He continued, “And when you think about Ji Hoon’s journey, I thought that was an appropriate moment to put an end to him and give him a little bit of closure along this long story.” “And then from that moment on, in Season 3, as he is weighed down by this huge feeling of guilt and sense of failure – how will Ji Hoon continue his mission? This is the story that will unfold further.”

As of early November, Squid Game Season 1 had 330 million viewers and over 2.8 billion hours watched since its premiere on September 17, 2021.

“You watch the show, and you can’t help but start to wonder — how would I react if I were put in one of these situations,” said Josh Simon, vice president of consumer products and live experiences at Netflix. “The games in the series and the unscripted show are based on simple, well-known games that people play while growing up, so the rules aren’t too complicated. It’s more about the pressure of that environment.”

The streamer also reported a 60% increase in viewership for Season 1 after the first teaser for Season 2 was released on October 31. The first season previously won six Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Lee Jung-jae.