“A Sliver Of Humanity Left:” What The Front Man’s Reaction To The Games Means For Squid Game Season 3

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Squid Game season 2.

The Front Man's genuine reaction during the games raises many questions surrounding how his story will unfold in Squid Game season 3. Like its predecessor, Squid Game season 2 has a lot to offer to audiences. While its primary appeal comes from its titular games, the show also keeps viewers hooked with its compelling character beats, unpredictable deaths, and twisted humor. Even when it comes to the performances of its cast, Squid Game season 2 continues to deliver standout moments, particularly through Lee Byung-hun's portrayal of Player 001 and the Front Man.

The seamlessness with which Lee Byung-hun switches between being a chilling antagonist and a regular player in Squid Game season 2 makes it hard not to wonder what he is trying to achieve. His ruthlessness and lack of empathy towards the players in Squid Game season 2 seem evident in the final chapter. However, his reaction to the games in the season's earlier moments is almost baffling because it leaves one clueless about what he truly wants.

In-ho Was Cheering For The Other Players During The Second Game

He Seemed To Have Forgotten Why He Joined The Games

When In-ho first shows up as Player 001 in the central games in Squid Game season 2, it seems evident that he is there to keep a close eye on Gi-hun and stay one step ahead of him. However, during the Six-Legged Pentathlon, it is hard not to believe that Player 001 briefly loses sight of why he entered the games in the first place. While watching Hyun-ju and his team succeed in the second game, he almost loses himself in the moment and starts cheering like a regular spectator.

He gets so caught up in the excitement of the competition that he almost forgets that he is not there to encourage people to win. Although this fleeting lapse does not last too long, and he seems to regain his strategic and manipulative demeanor moments later, it is interesting that a villain like him still has some humanity left in him. He may be ruthless to the point where he barely values the lives of the players. However, his reaction to the games suggests he is human enough to experience a profound sense of joy when he watches someone succeed at the games.

Player 001 Might Not Have Been Faking His Reactions During The Games

He Might Have Briefly Remembered His Own Experiences At The Games

Towards the end of Squid Game season 2, the Front Man shows no qualms about betraying Gi-hun and the other players and even kills Jung-bae to teach Gi-hun a lesson on consequences. However, while competing in the games, especially during the Six-Legged Pentathlon, he genuinely seems to care about winning. Since Squid Game has established that the Front Man won the games before becoming one of its organizers, participating again might have jogged his memory and reminded him of a time when he was just another naive player.

Given his status as the Front Man, the guards would likely not have killed him if he had lost any games. However, his drive to win them seemingly goes beyond mere survival. He understands that he must win the games with Gi-hun and the team to not only ensure that his ploy is not exposed but to also win Gi-hun's trust. Therefore, he finds himself dealing with real stakes during the games that could determine the future of his entire operation. To some extent, Player 001 also seems to forget who he is and finds himself slipping back into his old mindset as a player who just wants to win.

There’s Still “A Sliver Of Humanity Left” In The Front Man In Squid Game

He Might Still Have Time To Redeem Himself

As Lee Byung-hun, who plays Front Man in Squid Game, discussed in Netflix's Squid Game: Making Season 2 documentary, his character's sole purpose is to break Gi-hun's conviction. The Front Man lost his hope in humanity a long time ago when he played the games to save his wife and saw the worst in people. Despite winning the games, he even lost his wife, which likely prompted him to become a leading figure in the games' management. However, as Lee Byung-hun suggests, the Front Man still has "a sliver of humanity left."

He rejoins the games because he is determined to take down Gi-hun and show him that, as strong as his convictions may be, the world is deeply flawed, with no place for moral righteousness. However, a part of him also wants to understand Gi-hun's perspective and believe there is still some hope in the dark world they live in. This would explain his reaction during the second game and his willingness to have open-minded discussions with Gi-hun about the reason behind his unwavering resolve to end the games.

Player 001’s Reactions Might Have A Far More Sinister Explanation

His Reactions Might Have Revealed The Dark Truth About The Monster He Has Become

During his discussions with Gi-hun, In-ho always tries to justify how blaming the games is unfair because they give all contestants an equal opportunity to survive based on their choices and abilities. In-ho also likely participated in the games for the first time because no one else, including his family, was willing to help him when he needed money for his wife's treatment. In the real world, he also probably struggled to earn a decent living because of many unjust systemic issues that make the poor poorer and help the rich get richer.

Since the games presented him with a fair system, where all players had similar odds of winning, he could not help but feel grateful for the opportunity they provided. He seems to genuinely believe that the games give a level playing field to the helpless and the needy — something that the outside world can never provide. Owing to this, he cannot help but embrace the feeling of autonomy and control he experiences every time he plays the games and feels ecstatic about the system he represents.

Will The Front Man Be Redeemed In Squid Game Season 3?

His Redemption Seems Unlikely After Squid Game Season 2's Events

The Front Man sees the games in a utopian light, where his vision is confined to their setting. He also draws parallels between entering the games and Neo escaping the Matrix in Squid Game season 2's opening moments, believing that the games offer players freedom and truth. However, he fails to see how the VIPs are merely exploiting the helplessness of the players to entertain themselves. He is so blinded by his flawed perspective of the games that he even ruthlessly kills Jung-bae in the finale.

The fact that the Front Man saved Jung-bae during the Mingle game only to kill him in the finale shows that everything he did during season 2's runtime was a part of his overarching plan to destroy Gi-hun. He might have enjoyed playing the games and a part of him might still want to understand Gi-hun's reasoning for shutting down the system. However, after Squid Game season 2's events, it is hard to believe that the Front Man will be able to redeem himself.

It must be noted that Squid Game season 2 implies the Front Man turned sore towards his half-brother, Hwang Jun-ho, because he, too, did not help him when he needed him the most. However, he probably does not know that Jun-ho was also not doing too well when he asked him for help. If Jun-ho manages to talk to him in Squid Game season 3 and helps him realize that his family still cares for him, the Front Man might finally change his mind about the world and see it through a more hopeful lens.