Top 10 Worst Decisions in Squid Game

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first, shall we? Cho Sang-woo, played by Park Hae-soo, was conniving yet pitiful and frustrating, all at the same time. For most of the game, there was no conscience behind his glazed over eyes. It wasn’t surprising, therefore, that he repeatedly resorted to manipulation; just a tad disappointing is all. By misleading his allies in the honeycomb game, betraying Ali during marbles, and murdering Sae-byeok, Sang-woo abandoned his chance at a clean exit. Sure, it helped him advance to the final round but his selfishness ultimately cost him his life.

In group games, most of the players have a default principle for picking teammates. They want strong men, even when they have no idea what games they’re teaming up for. So, naturally, women are usually at an instant disadvantage. In season one, Han Mi-nyeo[b] is constantly shunned, to the point that she doesn’t even have a partner for marbles. What could have been a disqualification ends up as a blessing as she is given a free pass to the next round. Similarly, in season two, Cho Hyun-ju, a trans woman and Jang Geum-ja, an elderly lady, are looked down upon during Six Legs. Yet, both end up being crucial in their team’s triumph. So, who’s really the loser here?

If you’ve watched your fair share of K-Content, you probably noticed that Captain Park is played by renowned, albeit disgraced actor Oh Dal-su[c]. Regardless of his controversies, his seniority suggests he probably did not join the cast to simply be a skipper. So, it doesn’t really come as a shock when he betrays Jun-ho and his crew. What is baffling, however, is how easily Jun-ho trusts him and reveals the most important details of his exploration mission. One could argue that Park deliberately misleads him and keeps the game’s authorities informed about his every move. Perhaps, that’s why Jun-ho is always at the wrong place at the right time. For a police detective, he didn’t really have that good of a hunch.

“Squid Game” season two is set into motion when Gi-hun manages to find the Salesman with the help of two loan-sharks-turned-lackeys. He is stern in warning them against dealing with the maniac on their own. However, the cash reward makes them lose their judgment and they proceed to apprehend him. What ensues is a shamefully easy two to one fight, which ends with Gi-hun’s men playing rock, paper, scissors minus one to the death in the Salesman’s lair. The children’s game is combined with Russian roulette, leaving one offed and another shaking in his invisible boots. Well, if it isn’t the consequences of your own actions.

One of the biggest jaw-dropping plot twists in season two of “Squid Game” is when the Front Man is revealed to be player 001. It elevates the suspense of the show while also harkening back to Oh Il-nam from season one. Now, we do understand that the whole season builds up to a will he, won’t he. However, it was undoubtedly a careless decision for Jung-bae to not tell his teammates that the man snapped a fellow contestant’s neck in cold blood during the mingle game. This would have certainly raised a red flag, at least for Gi-hun, who strongly opposed bloodshed outside the games. Jung-bae tries to reveal this information a couple of times but always decides against it or is interrupted.

In the final episode of “Squid Game” season two, Gi-hun and friends stage a coup against the soldiers to end the game for good. However, there are too many variables for it to go smoothly. One of them is Dae-ho, an ex-marine. As loud and imposing as he appears, Dae-ho, whose name, he says, means big tiger, is possibly traumatized from his experience in the military. So, when he is sent back to the players’ room for ammo, he chooses to quit the mission and hides in a corner, terrified of the battle raging outside. The move proves detrimental to the uprising as Hyun-ju is forced to return to base to do his job for him.

As badass as she looks in the pink uniform, North Korean defector No-eul digs her own grave by joining the soldiers. She may be the perfect killing machine but doesn’t derive sadistic pleasure from it. When she sees player 246 during Red Light, Green Light, she’s unnerved by the thought of potentially having to shoot him, knowing his daughter is sick. Meanwhile, she’s also getting on the Officer’s bad side by ensuring the eliminated players are actually dead to try and end their suffering. On top of that, the Officer seems to know about her dangerous past in North Korea. Essentially, she’s trapped and might have it worse than the players. That’s why you read the job description carefully, everyone!

Deep breaths for this one now. Let’s remember what a dreamboat Jun-ho is and forgive him for one of the gravest blunders in the show. Early in season two, Gi-hun asks Jun-ho if he had seen the Front Man’s face while undercover as a guard. Unsurprisingly, he says no. At this point, Gi-hun, quite logically, assures him that killing the Front Man is not his solution to ending the game. Still, Jun-ho insists that he doesn’t know who the Front Man is. What’s vexing is, if he had just shown him In-ho’s face and explained his situation, maybe Gi-hun could even get him out! Clearly, big bro’s fighting his own demons. Instead, Jun-ho opts for a pointless detour that helps no one.

Gi-hun’s attempt at overthrowing the guards was the first chink in the game’s armor. For that, he deserves his kudos. Still, he could’ve come up with a better plan, considering he had three years to work on it. Despite the resources at his disposal, all Gi-hun had for a ploy was a GPS in a dental implant. Moreover, his very strategy to change the game from the inside appears rather flawed. He wasn’t the savior he thought he’d be. Rather, in the age of influencers and conspiracy theories, social media, if not the police, could have brought more attention to the murderous island. Mysterious disappearances, battle royales, bringing down the bourgeoisie – the internet hive mind would go ham!

A recurring theme in “Squid Game” is that of gambling one’s life away. The hope of winning big is what keeps the players coming back for just one more game. What they don’t realize is that the game has always been rigged. In season one, the contestants manage to quit but are drawn back in for another round. In season two, they get to vote after each game but still can’t leave. The chaos inside is somehow more consistent and ordered than the horrors haunting them outside. Yet, it is undeniable that every time they choose to stay, they’re making the worst decision of their lives. The same goes for Gi-hun, who picks one more game over his daughter, regardless of his noble intentions.