It’s no exaggeration to say Squid Game is Netflix’s biggest and most profitable show ever. The K-Drama, written by Hwang Dong-hyuk all the way back in 2009, explores a deadly series of games played by hundreds of citizens for the entertainment of the rich and powerful. A heavy critique of capitalism, the show became a modern sensation and had fans thirsting over an inevitable second season.

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While Dong-hyuk has no immediate plans for a second season in spite of a climactic cliffhanger, he says he is open to the idea and is working closely with Netflix to preserve Squid Game's future. From catching symbolism to smaller details that spark online debate, fans have formed some compelling theories about Squid Game's future. Some are admittedly a stretch, but others are fascinating enough to change the show entirely.

Seong Gi-hun Stops The Games… From The Inside

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The main protagonist of Squid Game, Seon Gi-Hun is a fan-favorite, and if the cliffhanger at the end of season 1 is any indication, he’s more than guaranteed to return. However, that begs the question: how will Gi-hun return, and what role will he play? Will he be a contestant again so he can warn others? Or will Gi-hun return as one of the guards to stop the barbaric cycle once and for all?

After all, it worked for Hwang Jun Ho (for a while), and it makes sense for Gi-hun to tear the system down from the inside like this. It could be a stretch, but in the season one finale, Gi-hun symbolically dyed his hair red. Some have said the dye job represents Gi-hun starting his life over, while some saw the red hair as his desire for revenge. It can further be theorized that Gi-hun will choose a red card, making him a worker (or guard) for the competition.

Squid Game Goes International

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If there’s anything to take away from Squid Game, it’s that deadly games are a worldwide phenomenon enjoyed by the elite. Reddit user Maximum-Range makes an intriguing point about a certain line of dialogue from one of the VIP members that implies the competition is enjoyed on a global scale. One of VIPs says, “The games this edition have been amazing,” and another continues with, “The contest in Korea was the best.”

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Why mention Korea if the games aren't international? It’s worth exploring the idea that the competition operates in other countries. After all, there’s no telling how far the VIPs and their power or fortune are willing to go. For the next season, we could see other countries outside of Korea. That said, going international could make things complicted for season one's mostly local cast.

Hwang Jun Ho Is Still Alive

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Hwang Jun Ho is a young police officer who went rogue and disguised himself as a guard to infiltrate the competition. Seeking answers, he was met with a tragic end courtesy of the Front Man, his brother In-ho. Or so we thought, Jun Ho was last seen shot in the shoulder and falling off a cliff into the sea. In-ho looks down and sees nothing, leaving it unclear as to whether Jun Ho drowned or survived to continue his investigation.

For a show that’s so blunt and forward about their deaths, it’s odd that Squid Game would keep Jun Ho’s “death” this ambiguous. Not to mention, there were multiple instances where In-ho shot people point-blank in the face, killing them instantly. Instead, he shot Jun Ho in the shoulder, a relatively non-lethal injury. It’s entirely possible that In-ho didn’t have it in him to kill his brother and merely wanted him out of the picture for now. But as of now, Hwang Jun Ho’s fate is still unknown.

Season 2 Will Be A Prequel

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There is so much ground left unexplored in Squid Game that it would be a disservice not to at least see how the games came to be and why they were created. The game depicted in the show is only one of a handful that has already happened. One of the most popular ideas is for a Front Man prequel that shows him winning the competition through an entirely new series of games. More importantly, a prequel season could make it clear as to why Il-nam created the games in the first place. While it’s hard to see the second season entirely in the past since the first season set up so many new plot threads, it’s possible we’ll get flashbacks that show the game’s origins.

Il-nam Is Gi-hun’s Biological Father

squid game Il Nam Loses the game in the neighborhood

Twitter user @yoonyoonlover has their own theory on Gi-hun and Il-nam’s relationship. The user shares a TikTok video that analyzes two scenes from the show. The first is Il-nam asking Gi-hun if he was spanked a lot as a kid. Surprised, Gi-hun asked how he knew, with Gi-hun replying that his son was too. The second scene is far more convincing and has them walking through the set for the Marbles game with Il-nam saying he grew up in a neighborhood that looked just like it, with Gi-hun replying that he did as well.

Furthermore, the user mentioned that Il-nam created the competition to find his long-lost son and pass the leadership of the games onto him since he's suffering from dementia. It’s a fascinating theory with lots of evidence to prove its validity. If true, this has massive implications for the games and their origins.

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