'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQH/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwX/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMPnEr//xAAeEAACAgEFAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMhABESQUKBof/aAAgBAQABPwBJoQxbY7PYVybWj4aH3NE7STE8ms//xAAWEQADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAjH/2gAIAQIBAT8Aen//xAAYEQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEQEDBf/aAAgBAwEBPwDNh0M//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun's portrayal of Hwang In-ho, known as the Front Man, in the Netflix series Squid Game captivated audiences with its depth and complexity. In season 2, his character undergoes a significant transformation, infiltrating the deadly games disguised as Player 001.
During an interview with Netflix on January 10, 2025, the famed Mr. Sunshine actor revealed that his character experienced several emotional changes after he re-entered the games in Squid Game 2. Lee Byung-hun explained that In-ho entered the game as a mere participant years before and emerged as the sole winner, similar to Gi-hun in season 1.
The anecdote was revealed in Squid Game season 1 when his younger brother Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon) sneaked into the archive room of the games and found an old document from 2015 where In-ho's name was mentioned as the winner of the games.
Trending
Connecting to it, Lee Byung-hun revealed that when In-ho re-entered the games in season 2 under the disguise of Player 001, Young-il, his survival instinct and humanity resurfaced.
The actor also highlighted the challenges of balancing the different facets of In-ho's character—the former police officer, the Front Man, and his disguise as Player 001. This multifaceted portrayal offered viewers a character study of a man caught between his past humanity and his present role as an orchestrator of brutality.
"In-ho originally entered Squid Games as a player himself so he wasn't much different from other players in the game. But as he went through so much, he changed in many ways. So now, he has a mix of complicated emotions. Of course, he has a clear purpose, but his humanity still lingers, so I imagine him constantly feeling a clash of emotions at every moment."
The Front Man's backstory in Squid Game and his role in season 2 explored
Hwang In-ho's journey from a former police officer to the enigmatic Front Man in the Squid Game series was a tale of despair and moral descent. Initially introduced as the missing brother of police officer Hwang Jun-ho, In-ho's participation in and eventual victory in a previous Squid Game set the stage for his recruitment as the Front Man.
His transformation was marked by a loss of faith in humanity, leading him to oversee the very games that exploit human desperation.
In season 2, In-ho's decision to enter the games as Player 001 served multiple purposes. Disguised under the alias, he could monitor and influence the proceedings without revealing his true identity. This role allowed him to interact closely with Player 456, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), the protagonist determined to dismantle the games.
Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk explained that In-ho's disguise was intended to subtly manipulate Gi-hun's efforts, appearing to assist while covertly working against him.
Season 2 delved deeper into the dark world of the Squid Game, introducing new characters and more perilous challenges. Seong Gi-hun, haunted by his experiences and driven by a desire for justice, re-enters the games with the aim of exposing and ending the brutal competition.
Unbeknownst to him, In-ho, as Player 001, was embedded within the games, orchestrating events to test Gi-hun's resolve and ideology.
The season explored themes of power, control, and the human capacity for both compassion and cruelty. Gi-hun's journey was fraught with moral dilemmas, alliances, and betrayals, reflecting the complex nature of human relationships under extreme pressure.
In-ho's presence as Player 001 added a psychological layer to the challenges, forcing Gi-hun to confront not only physical obstacles but also the manipulations of a hidden adversary. Similarly, In-ho's resolve as the Front Man clashed with his "lingering humanity"—as explained by Lee Byung-hun—which brought forward moments in season 2 where he ended up cheering for other players.
In Squid Game 2 episode 4, titled "Six Legs," In-ho was seen cheering and rejoicing whenever a team of players succeeded in the games and survived to make it to the next round. By the end of the episode, when it was his team's turn (alongside Gi-hun, Jung-bae, Jun-hee, and Dae-ho), he helped Gi-hun to complete the game to ensure everyone's survival—a stark contrast to Front Man's goals.
Furthermore, intense confrontations and revelations marked the finale of season 2. Gi-hun's rebellion against the game's organizers culminated in a dramatic coup, aiming to end the games once and for all. However, his plans were thwarted by In-ho, whose sabotage led to the tragic death of Gi-hun's best friend and game participant, Park Jung-bae.
This betrayal left Gi-hun in a state of emotional turmoil, questioning his beliefs and the possibility of overcoming the pervasive corruption of the games. However, by the end of episode 7, Gi-hun was unaware that Player 001 (In-ho) was the actual Front Man.
The season concluded with Gi-hun captured, setting the stage for a final showdown between him and In-ho in season 3 that is reported to air in June 2025. This cliffhanger emphasized the ideological clash between the two characters, with In-ho embodying a cynical worldview shaped by despair and Gi-hun representing a persistent, albeit battered, hope in humanity.
Squid Game 2 is streaming on Netflix and consists of 7 episodes.
