Is Gi-hun going to be the new Front Man in Squid Game Season 3, theory explored

In Squid Game's second season finale, we see how Seong Gi-hun's scheme to topple the game's organizers falls flat. When the crafty Front Man foils his rebellion, his trusted ally Jung-bae (yet a friend he had not spoken to for years) meets a tragic end. This turning point shows how hopeless it is to fight against the game's stifling structure and how Gi-hun could turn evil.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of any organization or entity. This analysis is based on interpretations of the series' narrative and character arcs.

---

The fall of Gi-hun's rebellion: A prelude to darkness

Many factors led to the collapse of the uprising. Gi-hun's crew lacked resources; hence, first of all, the well-armed guards were well-prepared, while Gi-hun's was not. Second, their efforts were undercut by the internal manipulation and infiltration of the Front Man, therefore highlighting the great control of the institution.

Finally, the dehumanizing character of the games was brought to light when Gi-hun failed to anticipate that the VIPs would view the uprising as nothing more than entertainment. Taken as a whole, these things fuel Gi-hun's disappointment and hint at his potential metamorphosis into someone like the Front Man.

After this setback, Gi-hun might suffer from emotional distress, guilt, and a lack of purpose in his life. Although Jung's death is a terrible loss, it also represents the powerlessness one feels when faced with an all-powerful organization. As Gi-hun fights to balance his beliefs with the brutal truths of the games (which reflect life itself), this trauma lays the groundwork for his moral demise. Remember when most (homeless) people chose lottery tickets instead of bread from The Recruiter?

In what follows, it's hinted he might succumb to the evil he fought so hard to defeat. The system's relentless pursuit of power draws him closer to a role he never imagined playing—or perhaps always secretly yearned for.

---

Continuations: Gi-hun's recurring designs

Some viewers have noticed that Gi-hun is acting and speaking similarly to how he did in the first season. The fact that these behaviors keep popping up indicates that he is stuck in a vicious cycle of conduct, no matter what he goes through. His incapacity to let go of his past deeds suggests he may become someone similar to the Front Man, upholding the system he formerly fought to destroy.

Throughout Squid Game, Gi-hun's interactions and decisions display this pattern of repetition. He seems reluctant or unable to change his ways, as seen, for example, by continuing to use the same tactics while forming partnerships. Also, his utilitarian worldview is reminiscent of the Front Man's; he rationalizes his moral concessions by saying they are required for the greater good. These similarities make one wonder if Gi-hun can actually change, and they also suggest that he could fall victim to the corruption that he claims to fight against.

Gi-hun's body language and speaking manner also recall his first time competing in the games (he won). These subtle hints suggest a psychological suffocation, therefore suggesting that his experience of the games has permanently tarnished his already messed-up psyche. This reinforces the idea that Gi-hun is caught in an endless mental and moral loop.

Some TikTok users have noted that Gi-hun repeats the same actions in both seasons, listing specific examples. To be sure of that, you just have to rewatch both seasons, and you can see it for yourself: it's scaringly true. While this highlights his struggle to break free from his past, it also suggests he might rise in the game’s power structure.

---

A look at the symbolic meaning of cutlery

Squid Game and Agust D's (SUGA of BTS) "Haegeum" music video share a common theme: the usage of commonplace objects as weapons. This MV is filled with nods to pop culture, like Squid Game and Nolan's Batman: The Dark Knight. Those who know the artist's signature recognize here his style of crafting layered and complex storytelling. (Squid Game is such an onion as well.) The MV harshly condemns capitalism and societal double standards while also playing with the hero-turned-villain motif. Could this be the fate of Gi-hun, too?

Wait a minute. If you think this theory is going too far, just look at the following pictures and then keep on reading.

In "Haegeum," the protagonist wields red chopsticks as a weapon. We see a striking image of him killing a man with these pieces of cutlery. In Korean culture, red is associated with death and is traditionally used to write the names of the deceased.

This behavior not only suggests a change toward aggressiveness but also represents defiance against established social standards. While eating in Squid Game, Gi-hun discovers a fork. Much like the red chopsticks in “Haegeum” symbolize rebellion, this manipulation reflects the show’s focus on power and control.

The legendary toilet massacre supposedly involved the murder of Thanos with a fork. There is still opportunity for conjecture on his survival since his specific fate was never officially acknowledged (only a body count was given). This ambiguity reflects Gi-hun's present situation: he has a weapon in his hands but is hesitant to use it, stuck between resisting and giving in.

Adding another layer, SUGA's protagonist dons a teal (Valentino) jacket with a dragon emblem—a symbol of power and transformation. After killing his rival, who was dressed in all black, he puts on the rival's black overcoat over his teal jacket. This change in appearance is like Gi-hun's inner fight as he tries to figure out who he is and how the darkness is getting closer.

---

Symbolically destroying wealth through "burning bridges"

As a symbol of his defiance against consumerism and social norms, the protagonist of "Haegeum" burns money. The image is a striking allusion to Heath Ledger's Joker from Batman: The Dark Knight, who famously burns money to show his contempt for money and social institutions.

By investing it in efforts to deconstruct the games instead of for personal benefit or humanitarian reasons, Gi-hun figuratively "burns" his prize money. A complicated interplay between resistance and complicity is revealed by the tactics and motivations of both characters.

It is clear that Gi-hun is obsessed with the games and wants power. That's revenge. (At the cost of more lives.) Not selflessness. He chose to use his bloody money to fight the game's organizers instead of helping himself or those in need. This decision shows a change from being a victim to taking part in the cycle of abuse and manipulation. It implies that his resistance can unintentionally keep the system (to which he is so obsessed) going.

Both stories use the depletion of riches as a metaphor for the powerlessness of individualism against oppressive systems. The fact that Gi-hun is using his wealth to rally people behind his cause shows a change from selflessness to dominance. Further, it raises suspicions that his revolt isn't as innocent as it seems. Gi-hun's fixation consumes him as he stays caught in a self-imposed game to dismantle another. He betrayed his word, left his daughter, and let his need for revenge trump any possibility of atonement.

Think about what Brazilian educator Paulo Freire said:

"If the structure does not permit dialogue, the oppressed will become the oppressors."

The story of Gi-hun exemplifies this idea by showing how unbridled power and unresolved trauma may cause even the most noble rebels to reflect the power structures they claim to be fighting against.

---

A plunge into anarchy: a metaphor for The Joker

Based on Heath Ledger's legendary Joker performance in Batman: The Dark Knight, Agust D's character in "Haegeum" borrows much from that role. Through his anarchic rule and his use of disorder and unpredictability, the Joker personifies the shift from disillusionment to anarchistic control. Gi-hun's shifting strategies and ethical concessions follow a similar pattern (and path). This comparison makes us wonder how power works and how easy it is to become the devil instead of annihilating him. Or killing him and taking his throne.

Comic book versions of the Joker typically depict him as an unambiguous villain, personifying anarchy and wickedness, in contrast to Heath Ledger's portrayal of the character in The Dark Knight, who is seen as an anti-hero questioning the established order.

Considering Gi-hun's trajectory, this divergence is essential. After beginning as a defiant anti-hero reminiscent of Nolan's Joker—like Agust D—Gi-hun may evolve into a prototypical "comic book villain" due to his growing fixation with power. Although Gi-hun is the main topic of this page, there is a lot of material for future investigation when comparing him to the Joker and his complex growth.

The blurry line between resistance and dominance is shown by both characters' spiral toward anarchy. When Gi-hun rebels, he runs the danger of becoming just as authoritarian as the systems he seeks to destroy, in contrast to the Joker's embracing of anarchy. These stories coming together highlight the risks of unbridled insurrection and the revolving door of power. The line between justice and vengeance becomes more blurry as Gi-hun walks it, and his acts start to resemble those of the tyrants he is fighting to depose.

---

What does this portend for the third season of Squid Game?

In Squid Game, Gi-hun's character development hints at a possible metamorphosis from a defeated hero to a symbol of the oppression he resisted in the past. The narrative's symbolic aspects, his repetitive actions, his rejection of money, his use of utensils as weapons, and the similarities to the Joker all hint at his potential transformation into the next Front Man. As viewers wonder if Gi-hun will end up becoming corrupt himself, this much-anticipated character arc provides a thought-provoking critique of the revolving door of power.

In the first season of Squid Game, Gi-hun's red hair symbolizes his rejection of his past and his suffering. It also echoes the traditional ties in Korea between red and mortality and the blood-soaked games that broke his innocence. However, in season 2, he loses his fiery rebelliousness and gets jet-black hair, which eerily makes him resemble the Front Man, the ultimate symbol of authority in the show. In Squid Game, pink represents the faceless uniformity of the guards, while black represents authority, the shrouded mystery of the Front Man, his tailored suit, and the repressive hierarchy he represents.

The change from red to black is more than just a fashion statement; it symbolizes Gi-hun's increasing attraction to the very system he swore he would destroy. Once upon a time, there was a victor—the Front Man—who sold his morals for gaming skills. Unconsciously reflecting this trajectory, Gi-hun's hair now serves as a symbol of his metamorphosis, and he has adopted the color black.

With the waning of Red's enthusiasm comes a terrifying prospect: in order to bring down the games, he may have to join their ranks as an architect. A harsh reality is whispered by the series in this color duality—assimilation is necessary for survival, even if it implies putting on the mask you hate.

Sometimes, the hero's greatest trick isn't defeating the villain—it's becoming one.