The Front Man, Hwang In-ho, Oh Young-il—*Squid Game* season 2’s big bad is a man of many faces. This article contains spoilers for *Squid Game* season 2.
A fascinating meta-narrative runs through Netflix’s *Squid Game* season 2: creator Hwang Dong-hyuk seems to have little desire to make a second season. Hwang has been open about his lack of initial plans to continue the story after season 1’s success. His return for seasons 2 and 3 stemmed more from financial incentives than creative passion. Despite this, *Squid Game* season 2 is a coherent and surprisingly excellent follow-up to the global phenomenon.
However, the narrative reveals Hwang’s weariness with the project. The season’s reliance on familiar games, character archetypes, and even an organ harvesting retread borders on self-aware trolling. This is most evident in the season’s big twist: Player 001 is once again an insider manipulating the games.
After season 1 revealed Player 001 (Oh Il-nam) as the game creator, season 2 mirrors this by making the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) Player 001. This is preposterous, yet brilliant. Hwang himself called it the “most important” part of the season.
This repetition works on multiple levels. It establishes thematic resonance with season 1. While repetition is often criticized, it’s effective here. The Player 001 role demands significance, established by Oh Il-nam’s treachery. The Front Man provides the necessary dramatic weight, a far more compelling choice than an unknown player.
The Front Man’s involvement also reveals a crucial flaw in our hero, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae): he’s somewhat naive. His survival in season 1 risks making him a mythical figure. Season 2 maintains his heroism but also humanizes him, making his oversight of the Player 001 gambit understandable within the context of the stress and chaos.
Crucially, this reveal gives us more screen time with the Front Man. Lee Byung-hun, who played the character, jokingly referred to his season 1 role as a cameo. Season 2 gives him a much more substantial part, enriching the show. Lee masterfully portrays the multifaceted nature of the character: the omniscient overseer, the meek Player 132, Jun-ho’s brother Hwang In-ho, and most importantly, Oh Young-il.
This last identity elevates the Front Man from a background antagonist to a fully realized big bad. The “real” Hwang In-ho remains unknown, but his performance as Player 001, Oh Young-il, feels authentic. Like Gi-hun, Oh Young-il is forged in the crucible of the Squid Game, revealing his pragmatism, cruelty, and team-oriented nature—characteristics inherent to a Player 001. He’s almost inextricably linked to the games themselves.
Noticeably, Oh Young-il shares the surname “Oh” with Oh Il-nam. Seong Gi-hun, however, doesn’t (again, he’s somewhat naive). The “Oh” surname is unusual in a country where most people are named Kim, Lee, or Park. While it could be a shared false surname, season 2 suggests a more dramatic truth. Jun-ho reveals Hwang In-ho was his mother’s adopted son, not his biological brother. Furthermore, Oh Young-il’s lactose intolerance mirrors Oh Il-nam’s description of his son.
Combined with Hwang In-ho’s absent father, it’s highly probable that Young-il is Il-nam’s son, and potentially related to Gi-hun (who also can’t drink milk). This deliberate *Star Wars*-esque familial connection reflects *Squid Game*’s political themes, storytelling structure, and production design. The season’s cliffhanger only reinforces this resemblance.
*Squid Game*’s violent premise limited the number of returnable characters. With only Gi-hun securely in place, the show needed a compelling antagonist. By making the Front Man Player 001, *Squid Game* not only succeeded but also set up an even bigger mystery for season 3.
All seven episodes of *Squid Game* season 2 are now streaming on Netflix.