WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Squid Game season 2.
Dae-ho, who claims he is a Marine, is one of the most controversial and mysterious new characters in Squid Game season 2. Squid Game season 2 shows Gi-hun returning to the Squid Game as Player 456 to seek revenge on the Front Man, In-ho. Many of the new Squid Game contestants – including the undercover contestant Player 001 – try to figure out how to make it out alive through the various games featured in Squid Game season 2. Dae-ho is also a new contestant who works with Gi-hun on several games, including the six-legged pentathlon.
After becoming Netflix’s most-watched series of all time with its September 2021 premiere, Squid Game season 2 was released on December 26, 2024. Season 1 star Lee Jung-jae returns as Squid Game winner Seong Gi-hun who is determined to make the creators of the high-stakes survival game pay. The cast of Squid Game season 2 also features the return of Wi Ha-Joon as Hwang Jun-Ho and Lee Byung-hun’s Front Man Hwang In-ho. Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk returns to write and director Squid Game season 2 and has already confirmed that Squid Game season 3, which will be the final season of the celebrated thriller, is set to be released in 2025.
Dae-ho Is Not Telling The Whole Truth About His Past In Squid Game
Dae-ho might have defected or not completed his service
Dae-ho failed to show up for Gi-hun and his fellow contestants when they needed him most. What’s most tragic about his character in Squid Game is that he volunteered to fall back to the Players’ quarters in order to retrieve the extra ammunition. This meant that the other players were counting on him to pull through, which he did not. While the few revolting contestants were outnumbered by the Pink Guards, they still had a fighting chance if Dae-ho successfully returned with the ammunition as he promised he would. Instead, Dae-ho cowered behind his bed and left the other contestants to die.
Because of this shocking twist in Squid Game season 2, it appears that Dae-ho may not be telling the truth about his actual identity and may not actually be a Marine as he had told other contestants. Even though Dae-ho has the Marine tattoo, which Jung-bae instantly recognizes, it’s possible that he got the tattoo as a farce. On the other hand, Dae-ho was a loyal friend to Jung-bae and Gi-hun throughout Squid Game season 2, which makes his retreat in the season 2 finale seem out of character. It’s more likely that Dae-ho was actually in the Marines but suffered a traumatic flashback, which is why he ran off.
What Is Really Going On With Dae-ho In Squid Game Season 2
It’s most likely that he was having a PTSD flashback
Even though one might expect a former Marine like Dae-ho to be naturally courageous, there is a strong possibility that he was experiencing some type of PTSD flashback during the rebellion at the end of Squid Game season 2. What’s most evident is that Dae-ho did not intend to betray and abandon the other contestants but instead seemed to be overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. Since there is not much information on Dae-ho’s military experience other than that he served, which is mandatory in Korea, it’s really difficult to say what exactly happened to Dae-ho during that scene.
Another explanation is that he was forced by his father to continue in the military and become a Marine. He didn’t like to talk about his father and seemed ashamed to talk about how he liked playing Gonggi with his sisters. It’s also not exactly clear why Dae-ho needs the money that brought him into the Squid Game in the first place. Because of this, there are many possibilities as to what is really going on with Dae-ho, which should be explored in greater detail in Squid Game season 3.
Dae-ho Lying About His Past As A Marine Explains Why He Froze At The End
Dae-ho’s true backstory still remains a mystery
If, however, Dae-ho ended up lying about his time in the service as a Marine, it could explain why he froze up at the end of Squid Game season 2. While improbable, considering that he had a tattooed insignia and everything, it’s not completely out of the question that Dae-ho made up his military service to gain an advantage in life and in the Squid Game itself. Dae-ho’s cowardice is understandable in ways, especially if he was truly having a PTSD flashback. Still, his complete shift in character at the most crucial moment of the Squid Game in season 2 is unforgettable and alarming. Gi-hun might not be so understanding of Dae-ho’s decision in Squid Game season 3.