Squid Game Season 1 Recap: Everything You Need to Know Before Season 2

As we gear up for the highly anticipated Season 2 of Squid Game, it’s time to revisit the blood-curdling thrills and shocking twists of Season 1. Released in 2021, this South Korean survival drama quickly became a global sensation, leaving fans with unforgettable moments and plenty of questions. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or need a refresher after the three-year gap, this detailed recap has got you covered.

 

 

 

How It All Began: Gi-hun’s Recruitment into the Squid Game

The story kicks off with Seong Gi-hun (Player 456), a down-and-out chauffeur drowning in debt and struggling to support his daughter. Gi-hun’s luck changes—or so it seems—when he encounters a mysterious Salesman (played by Gong Yoo) in a subway station.

 

After a round of ddakji, a traditional Korean game, Gi-hun is offered an invitation to compete in the Squid Game—a series of deadly childhood games promising a life-changing cash prize. Unbeknownst to him, this is just the beginning of a harrowing journey.

 

 

The Deadly Rules of the Game

Upon arrival, Gi-hun and 455 other players learn that the stakes are higher than anyone imagined. Players must participate in a series of life-or-death challenges, each inspired by traditional Korean children’s games.

 

Key rules of Squid Game:

 

• Players eliminated from the game are killed on the spot.
• Players can quit the game by majority vote—but they lose the chance to win the prize.
• Alliances form, but trust is fleeting.
• These rules set the stage for nail-biting tension as alliances are tested and humanity’s darker sides emerge.

 

 

Major Twists: Unforgettable Moments from Season 1

 

• Player 001: The Mastermind Behind the Game

The biggest shock comes in the revelation of Player 001, Oh Il-nam. Initially seen as a frail old man with dementia, Il-nam is revealed to be the architect of the games. His wealth and terminal illness led him to orchestrate these events as a twisted form of entertainment for himself and other elites.

 

 

• The Front Man’s Identity

Police detective Hwang Jun-ho infiltrates the Squid Game to find his missing brother. His investigation unveils the Front Man’s true identity—his own brother, Hwang In-ho. This revelation deepens the show’s mystery and adds a layer of tragedy to Jun-ho’s quest.

 

• Beloved Characters Lost Along the Way

The brutal nature of the games claims the lives of fan-favourite characters like Kang Sae-byeok, the cunning yet compassionate pickpocket, and Abdul Ali, the kind-hearted labourer. Their deaths remind viewers of the stakes and the ruthlessness of the competition.

 

• Themes and Symbolism in Squid Game Season 1

The series delves deep into themes of class disparity, human desperation, and the morality of survival. Each game mirrors societal structures, where the powerless are pitted against one another for the benefit of the powerful.

 

 

 

The games are also rife with symbolism. For instance:

 

 

• Red Light, Green Light reflects the facade of simplicity masking danger.
• The tug-of-war game showcases the power of unity, albeit fleeting.

 

 

Connecting the Characters: Bonds and Betrayals

One of the most compelling aspects of Squid Game Season 1 is the intricate web of relationships between the characters. These connections often determine survival or lead to heartbreaking betrayals.

 

• Gi-hun and Sae-byeok: Despite their differences, Gi-hun forms a reluctant bond with Kang Sae-byeok, the North Korean defector. Their shared vulnerability creates moments of trust amidst the chaos.
• Ali and Sang-woo: Abdul Ali’s unwavering loyalty to Sang-woo, the cunning businessman, ends in a devastating betrayal that underscores the moral compromises of survival.
• Il-nam and Gi-hun: Gi-hun’s fatherly affection for Oh Il-nam turns to shock and anger upon discovering Il-nam’s true identity as the mastermind.