Warning: This article contains spoilers for Squid Game Season 2.
The highly anticipated Season 2 of Squid Game brings back the intense drama and high stakes that kept audiences on the edge of their seats in the first season. Following the harrowing trend set in Season 1, many key characters find themselves at death’s door as they grapple with the brutal nature of the games. While some characters face their deserved fates, others fall prey to the merciless mechanisms that fuel the deadly contests. As established in Season 1, contestants like Gi-hun enter the games without fully understanding that only one can emerge victorious from the chaos and claim the staggering prize of 45.6 billion won.
From the very first round of the games, participants come to a chilling realization: they are not merely competitors but commodities in a twisted system that values survival at any cost. With each successive game, the death toll rises dramatically, culminating in Gi-hun becoming the only survivor—a reality that shapes his motivations in Season 2. Now, armed with the lessons of his past, he embarks on a quest to mitigate the loss of life during another round of the gruesome contests, even as he struggles against the inevitable toll taken by the games.
1. Mr. Kim (Kim Pub-lae)
Dies in Episode 1
In the opening of Season 2, Gi-hun seeks the assistance of Mr. Kim, his former loan shark, to locate the enigmatic Salesman. After a two-year hunt, they finally encounter the mysterious figure. Ignoring Gi-hun’s warnings, Mr. Kim and his companion Choi Woo-seok confront the Salesman, resulting in dire consequences. Bound and subjected to a cruel game blending Russian roulette with rock-paper-scissors, Mr. Kim ultimately sacrifices himself to protect Woo-seok, becoming the first casualty of the season.
2. The Salesman (Gong Yoo)
Dies in Episode 1
When Gi-hun finally confronts the Salesman, he is drawn into yet another game of fate—this time, Russian roulette. The Salesman appears comically confident, believing his luck is unassailable. Each time Gi-hun pulls the trigger, the gun clicks harmlessly, leaving the Salesman cornered with only one bullet remaining. Accepting his defeat in a moment of profound desperation, he turns the gun on himself, sealing his own fate.
3. Player 196 (Song Ji Woo)
Dies in Episode 3
During the perilous game of “Red Light, Green Light,”Gi-hun attempts to guide his fellow players. However, Player 196, distracted by a bee, inadvertently moves and becomes the first contestant to die in the games when the doll’s watchful eye detects the slightest movement.
4. Young-mi (Kim Shi Eun)
Dies in Episode 6
As the competition intensifies, Episode 6 witnesses the shocking demise of Young-mi. During the chaos of the Mingle game, she is left behind, prompting her peers to blame one another when the guards systematically eliminate her and other players. Young-mi’s death profoundly impacts her friends, especially Hyun Ju, who feels an unbearable guilt stemming from their inability to save her.
5. Thanos (T.O.P)
Dies in Episode 6
In an unexpected plot twist, Thanos’s attitude shifts dramatically when Hyun Ju defies him and challenges other players. In a heated scuffle resulting from a civil revolt within the group, Hyun Ju uses a shard to fatally stab Thanos. This shocking event illustrates the unpredictability of alliances and enmities within the games.
6. Se Mi (They Stole An)
Dies in Episode 7
Character Se Mi initially thrives by aligning with seemingly weaker contestants for personal gain. However, after a disastrous turn of events in the Mingle game, she finds herself at odds with her former allies. With the stakes already at a peak, her decision to vote against the continuation of the games ultimately leads to her tragic demise at the hands of Nam Gyu’s ruthless betrayal.
7. Players 047 & 015
Die in Episode 7
In a calculated betrayal, the Front Man leads Players 047 and 015 into a trap during a climactic confrontation. Rather than assisting them in their rebellion against the guards, he coldly executes them to ensure his dominance over the ongoing chaos—showing just how low the stakes can go in a game where trust is a fleeting illusion.
8. Players 324 & 145
Die in Episode 7
As the situation escalates, Players 324 and 145 find themselves back against the wall after their ammunition depletes. In a desperate attempt to regain control, Player 324 takes his own life, while Player 145’s attempt to surrender is met with cold indifference, resulting in his immediate shooting by the guards. This illustrates the harsh reality of the game—there’s no room for mercy.
9. Kyung Seok (Lee Jin Wook)
Dies in Episode 7
Guided by a noble cause—to fund his daughter’s medical treatment—Kyung Seok’s integrity sets him apart from other players. Despite his efforts to mount a rebellion with Gi-hun, their luck runs out when they are ultimately surrounded by guards. Despite pleading for mercy due to his sick child, he is ruthlessly shot, highlighting the games’ moral void.
10. Jeong Bae (Lee Seo Hwan)
Dies in Episode 7
The dramatic conclusion of Season 2 sees Jeong Bae’s character manipulated by the Front Man. As the true nature of his machinations is revealed, Jeong Bae meets a tragic end when the Front Man kills him, all while Gi-hun watches helplessly. This loss seals Gi-hun’s disillusionment with the games, stripping him of any remaining shreds of hope.
Key Details About Squid Game
| Written & Directed By | Hwang Dong-hyuk |
| No. Of Episodes | 16 |
| No. Of Seasons | 2 |
| Budget | US $21.4 million for Season 1; ₩100 billion for Season 2 |
| Streaming On | Netflix |
As the season comes to an end, viewers are left pondering the profound themes of morality, survival, and sacrifice woven throughout this gripping narrative. The fates of the players starkly manifest the harsh realities of their world, reinforcing the series’ commentary on human nature amidst desperation.
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