Squid Game Season 3 Must Do Justice To Season 2's Most Underused Player

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Squid Game season 2, episodes 1-7.Squid Game season 2 introduces 456 new players during Gi-hun's second tournament, some of whom prove more important than others — but one of them is underused and deserves justice in season 3. Gi-hun returns to the Squid Game competition in the Netflix show's sophomore season, and he makes new allies and enemies, just like in season 1. Squid Game's new villains shine brighter than those introduced during the previous outing. However, not all the new characters who become Gi-hun's allies get the attention they deserve.

With so many prominent characters in Squid Game season 2, it's understandable that some are sidelined to focus on Gi-hun, the Front Man, and the overarching narrative. Given that the second season is only seven episodes long, it would be impossible to dig deeper into every supporting player. However, considering the amount of attention Gyeong-seok gets at the beginning of season 2, it feels like the series wastes his character. If he truly does die at the end of Squid Game season 2, one has to wonder what the point of his story and connection to No-eul is.

Squid Game Season 2 Doesn't Use Gyeong-seok's Character As Much As It Should

Episode 2 Makes It Seem Like He'll Play A More Important Role

Gyeong-seok is introduced outside the tournament in Squid Game season 2, with the second episode focusing on his reason for joining the Games. Squid Game season 2, episode 2 introduces viewers to Gyeong-seok's daughter, Na-yeon, who is revealed to have blood cancer. She bonds with No-eul at the amusement park where the young woman works, though Park Gyu-young's Squid Game character later quits to become one of the Masked Men. She recognizes Gyeong-seok at the tournament, and their connected backstories make it seem like he'll play a larger role.

Unfortunately, this isn't the case. Gyeong-seok is probably the most underused new player in Squid Game season 2, as his characterization — which suggests he's a decent person — and his motivation give him a lot of potential. But he doesn't get the amount of depth or screen time that players like Hyun-ju, Geum-ja, Jun-hee, or even Yong-sik. And although he joins Gi-hun's uprising in the season 2 finale, he's seemingly killed by the Masked Men. He and No-eul never share a scene inside the Games, nor does he do anything that gives his character a greater purpose.

This feels like a waste, especially after spending so much of episode 2 focused on Gyeong-seok, Na-yeon, and their connection to No-eul. Squid Game season 3 needs to bring the story back to Gyeong-seok's character, giving his story a proper resolution, even if it's in death.

Gyeong-seok Must Get Justice In Squid Game Season 3

The Final Outing Must Give His Character A Greater Point

To make sense of Gyeong-seok's story, Squid Game season 3 must give the character justice — whether that means surprising us with his fate or bringing the story back to his daughter. While Gyeong-seok is shot during the uprising at the end of the season, he's hit just once in the mid-section. This moment is shot from an angle that makes it hard to tell if the character is hit fatally. Jun-ho's survival in Squid Game season 1 proves a bullet wound isn't always deadly, and there's a possibility that No-eul could break the rules and keep him alive.

This would allow Gyeong-seok's story to continue, potentially giving the character's arc a greater meaning in season 3. But if he truly is dead, Squid Game must find a way to return to his daughter. Perhaps the winner of the second tournament can pay for her medical treatment. It's also possible that No-eul will reconnect with her, helping her in the wake of Gyeong-seok's death. This would offer redemption of her character, making sense of her storyline as well.