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In Netflix's Squid Game 2, the depiction of horses served as a potent metaphor, reflecting the dehumanization and exploitation of individuals within the show's deadly competitions.
This symbolism sparked various conspiracy theories and discussions among viewers, who interpreted the horses as representations of the participants themselves— trained, commodified, and ultimately discarded for the entertainment of the elite. The analogy between the contestants and horses was evident in the way both were treated as mere instruments for amusement and profit.
In a YouTube video by @clipz2watch2, titled Unveiling Squid Game's Hidden Symbols The Four Horsemen Link, the host discussed how horses are rigorously trained and pushed to their limits, much like the players in the games. Once they are no longer deemed useful— be it due to age, injury, or loss of performance— they are disposed of without hesitation.
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This parallels the fate of the contestants in the Squid Game series, who are subjected to life-threatening challenges for the voyeuristic pleasure of the wealthy, only to be eliminated when they fail to entertain or succeed.
This metaphor extended to the broader critique of societal structures, where individuals were often reduced to mere cogs in a machine, valued only for their productivity and ability to generate profit for those in power. The show used this imagery to comment on the dehumanizing effects of capitalism and the exploitation inherent in systems that prioritize wealth and entertainment over human life.
Squid Game 1 and 2: Connecting the dots of the horses as a symbol of exploitation
In the inaugural season of Squid Game, Seong Gi-hun was depicted as a man ensnared by financial ruin and a compulsive gambling habit. His frequent visits to horse racing tracks, where he squandered borrowed money, underscored his desperation and the cyclical nature of his addiction.
This behavior not only exacerbated his debts but also strained his relationships, particularly with his family. This also mirrored the symbolism of horses from Squid Game 2 where the participants played a game across a carousel made of wooden horses.
Squid Game 2's horse metaphor was reflected through other games in the series like Russian Roulette, Six-Legged Pentathlon, and more. Each of the harrowing games mirrored the machinations of using humans as mere racehorses by pitting them against one another for the game organizers to enjoy.
In the game of Russian Roulette, although the game was not officially included in the Squid Game six-day-contests, the recruiter (Gong Yoo) showed the dark side of the organizers and the organization as he was ready to die just to feel a hit of adrenaline.
Significantly, the game of Russian Roulette with the recruiter culminated in a chilling moment where Gi-hun, facing the loaded chamber, was forced to confront the imminent possibility of death— a stark parallel to the high-risk bets he placed in his gambling days in season 1. However, the recruiter lost the game and shot himself in the head, still having a sinister grin on his face.
Squid Game 2 episodes and plot overview
Squid Game 2 season finale left the fate of several characters ambiguous. Gi-hun survived the rebellion, but his close ally, Park Jung-bae (played by Lee Seo-hwan), died at the hands of the Front Man. Gi-hun learned the true identity of Player 001 aka the Front Man in this episode, adding complexity to the narrative.
Episode 1: Bread and Lottery
Three years after his initial ordeal, Gi-hun grappled with the trauma of his past experiences. Determined to end the games, he infiltrated the organization, setting the stage for his mission to dismantle it from within.
Episode 2: Halloween Party
Gi-hun voluntarily re-entered the games, encountering a new group of participants. The episode built tension as alliances began to form, and the deadly nature of the games loomed over the contestants.
Episode 3: 001
The Front Man, Hwang In-ho (played by Lee Byung-hun), entered the game as Player 001 under the alias Oh Young-il. His presence added a layer of deception, manipulating events from within and challenging Gi-hun's plans.
Episode 4: Six Legs
Contestants participated in a pentathlon on a rainbow track, a deadly race that tests their physical and mental endurance. The challenge emphasizes the importance of alliances and the constant threat of betrayal.
Episode 5: One More Game
The episode explored the dynamics among players, staff, and a rescue team attempting to locate the games. Conflicts arose over organ harvesting, and players faced a new challenge requiring teamwork to survive.
Episode 6: O X
Tensions escalated as players were divided into groups marked by X and O badges, leading to a series of confrontations and moral dilemmas.
Episode 7: Friend or Foe
Gi-hun's rebellion against the game's soldiers spiraled into chaos, with characters breaking under pressure and experiencing mixed fortunes. The episode concluded with a cliffhanger about the survival of Gi-hun, Jun-hee, Hyeon-ju, and more, setting the stage for the next season.
Squid Game 2 starring Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, BigBang's T.O.P, Jo Yuri, Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, and Park Sung-hoon is streaming on Netflix.
