Warning – this article contains major spoilers for Squid Game season 2.
Netflix’s most successful series to date has made a comeback, offering the perfect binge-watching opportunity for subscribers with heaps of leftovers and ample time to relax in front of the telly.
Yet, Squid Game’s second season is anything but filled with festive joy as Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) and a fresh group of contestants face another round of vicious games for a shot at a massive cash prize.
The next seven episodes promise a rollercoaster of bloodshed, treachery, and jaw-dropping twists in this immensely popular Korean series, with another instalment expected before the end of 2025.
Devoted viewers have wasted no time diving in, and a shocking twist at the conclusion of episode three, titled 001, left them so astounded they questioned their own eyes.
After surviving another intense game of Red Light, Green Light, the participants are faced with a decision to continue or end the games. Unbeknownst to Gi-hun, the final voter, 001, is none other than Hwang In-ho, also known as the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), the enigmatic game overseer and former champion, reports the Express.
“I thought, ‘Is this really happening or am I hallucinating?'” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter) after watching episode three.
“But it’s true 001 and Front Man are the same person! Did he do all this just to make those people stay? And now he’s also going to participate in those deadly games? OMFG!”
“I didn’t see that coming. Player 001,” another viewer confessed.
One fan expressed their confusion, saying: “I have soooo many questions! Is 001 the cops brother (the main bad guy)?”
Another viewer was left in disbelief, stating: “No way number 001 is that person [shocked face]” while another shocked fan chimed in with: “Player 001 completely shocked me..”
The discussion continued on Reddit, where one astonished viewer simply posted: “Holy s***, what a twist.”
“Incredible twist,” another user commented. “It’s an awesome parallel to the narrative deceit of the first season, while we have an insider’s perspective this time around. This mirror scenario will make for compelling character foil situations.
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Sky“This is how you can effectively repeat the same scenarios and settings, while still making it feel fresh and engaging, by changing just enough for unpredictability factors like this.”
And one final fan responded: “The fact that the f***ing frontman was/is player 001 in this game is insane to me.”
If you’ve already made it to episode three, there’s four more episodes left to get your heart pounding, plus a third and final season still to come within the year.
The new season is already scoring rave reviews, though many fans have been taking issue with where the last episode leaves things.
Squid Game season 2 is available to stream on Netflix.