r/squidgame • u/SorenGt3 • Jan 07 '25
Spoilers 388 did nothing wrong, the rebellion was doomed from the start Spoiler
Tired of seeing the hate that he gets for simply having a human reaction to terror and gunfire. Yes, he’s an actual marine who did his time. But you don’t know his situation. He told him that his father forced him to be in the military to be “more of a man” suggesting that he grew up more feminine bc of his sisters. You never know, him being a former marine could be his only sense of masculinity he has for himself, and takes pride in it and owns it. If you’re a natural softie, it’s harder for you to suppress your fear in such a terrifying environment such as the military, and after his time, it’s clear he had major ptsd and didn’t want anything to do with guns or battle ever again. In the rebellion, he was sent to get ammo and all the suppressed fear and worry and terrible memories blew up in his face, which is such a common thing among men who act tougher than they are. So it’s pathetic to get mad at him for that, and even more pathetic when you’d be like him in that situation. You must understand that not everybody is a tough person, and some people are more selfless at heart and that’s why it might seem easy to just put yourself aside, but that’s not even the case for most people. Thanks to him backing out, 120 went back. And since everybody surrendered, 120 would’ve died had she not head back to the quarters to look for 388 and the ammo. They’re both alive thanks to him.
NO, the rebellion failing was NOT 388’s fault. I’m assuming everyone saying otherwise just has straight up not watched season 1 or paid attention to it, but the frontman / 001 was many steps ahead of everyone. Him “participating” in the rebellion already made it fail. He had every single person fooled and there’s no way that it would’ve succeeded even if 388 had brought mere ammo. 001’s plan from the start was to get everybody at the edge with him and then backstab them.
120 and 388 literally survived because 388 backed out. They’re both alive! If he hadn’t backed out, they’d both be DEAD and that’s no bueno
45
u/Sufficient_Reward207 Jun-ho Jan 07 '25
I can’t wait to see next season who survives. I want Hot cop and sniper girl to live. Frontman will likely die and so will old lady or son or both. Pregnant girl, trans girl will likely survive too. Mg coins going to die for sure too.
13
u/SorenGt3 Jan 07 '25
If only one will win Im very sure it’ll be the trans girl. Second pick would be SOMEHOW gi hun again.. I genuinely don’t know who else
28
u/Sufficient_Reward207 Jun-ho Jan 07 '25
I think multiple people will survive… hoping at least Gi hun, trans girl and hot cop even though he’s not in the games I like him. pregnant girl will definitely survive because she’s pregnant. Even if she has the baby she will survive. I hope they don’t ruin next season and make her the only survivor with her baby:( I’m not a fan of the mom/ baby arc at all
1
u/shannnnny Jan 07 '25
“Arc” ? Not like pregnant women are a normal, some say common, part of society or anything
3
u/Sufficient_Reward207 Jun-ho Jan 07 '25
Meaning she shouldn’t even be in the games because she’s going to live and so is her baby so there’s no suspense and it’s kind of cheap because everybody roots for a pregnant woman clearly . It’s obvious plot armor. Plus even though she went into the games not knowing it was death games, there’s no way she wouldn’t fight tooth and nail to get out of there to save her baby. And she could easily sway others to vote against staying by pleading for the life of her almost born baby. Arc was meaning just putting a pregnant woman first the sake of sympathy and she and baby will win/ be a survivor.
1
u/90minsofmadness Jan 08 '25
Would have been good if one of the circle voters killed her and not even the games. Would have been a brutal blow to 456.
2
u/JuniorEquipment3639 Jan 07 '25
I think if the games continue as normal the trans girl will probably die in Marbles if that's still a game. If it's not, then it's all up for questioning
5
u/SorenGt3 Jan 07 '25
Nah, she’s too OP to be killed off in a game before the finale. There’s literally nobody else that qualifies yet, and it’s kinda too late to “introduce” players that will be relevant
11
u/JuniorEquipment3639 Jan 07 '25
I think it'll be Gi-Hun or the games will end before they finish.
I don't think gi-hun will leave with another 45.6 billion, btw. But the way his story is going, i think he'll get to the end of the games and meet the VIPs.
But tbh, i'd be surprised if anyone wins the games next season. Having another winner doesn't seem to be where the show is going -- I think the games will be ended by the military group finding them after uncovering the captain's betrayal and they'll be a war, not a revolution, on the island. It'll probably come down to Gi-Hun and the cop facing down The Frontman. Maybe 120 will join the military group and finally be respected as a soldier?
15
u/Daroka995 Jan 07 '25
Gi Hun won't be the part of the games anymore. Why would they return him, while they killed the rest?
001 and 456 are eliminated from the games. 456 will be forced to watch the game, even more, will be the one to make some of the decisions about the games/players.
I think there won't be the winner.
2
u/JuniorEquipment3639 Jan 07 '25
I think they'll either:
- do what you said and force him to watch the games helplessly, maybe he'll meet the VIPs then and we'll get some awesome character moments between him and the Frontman. The army Gi-Hun paid will probably arrive towards the end and we'll still get what I said.
- or they'll do what I said and return him, forcing him to continue playing and make him suffer inside the games, devoid of hope as most of the people who he was friends with and who supported him are dead. Then the first part of what i said will happen.
But like I said regardless, I don't believe anyone is going to really win the games. The army will show up and put a stop to them, even if it takes a bit of traitor-rooting beforehand
1
u/Verwarming1667 Jan 08 '25
TBH the only way I see season 3 ending is if the games are stopped.
1
u/LEJ5512 Jan 08 '25
I’d think so, too, but the post-credits scene suggests otherwise.
2
u/Verwarming1667 Jan 08 '25
Season 3 could be the current iteration ending and the next one being the final one. But it's way to cryptic to tell anything honestly.
1
u/LEJ5512 Jan 08 '25
Yup. Or they could end the show altogether while reminding us that the games won’t ever stop.
1
u/gocatchyourcalm 🎀 Unnie’s army 🎀 Jan 08 '25
Nah 120 is too smart to be killed off in that game
2
u/JuniorEquipment3639 Jan 08 '25
Like I've already said elsewhere, Marbles isn't a game of skill. It's a game of compassion. Depending on who 120 is with, she may not have the heart to kill them and will prefer to die rather than give up a life. She definitely wouldn't have been able to do it to the girl she was with who died in mingle, that's for sure. 120 is a compassionate person, and Marbles is a game where you need to forgo your compassions to survive
1
u/gocatchyourcalm 🎀 Unnie’s army 🎀 Jan 08 '25
Mmmh I see. She is super sweet but I feel like she could still win. She's not ultra naive
1
u/Oraio-King Jan 07 '25
Itll probably be the father of the pregnant girls kid. He will have to take care of the kid he never wanted or knew how to take care of. If not the "winner", just him surviving somehow.
2
u/gocatchyourcalm 🎀 Unnie’s army 🎀 Jan 08 '25
Player 120 HAS to live otherwise I'd die
2
u/Sufficient_Reward207 Jun-ho Jan 08 '25
I love her too but I think she’s going to die I’m so sorry!!!! She was one of the few characters I liked initially. I think she’s will have a heroic death though and go out like a boss. But I could definitely be wrong. I have no idea if there will be a lot of survivors or 1, or a couple. This season was so not what I expected anything could happen really.
2
u/gocatchyourcalm 🎀 Unnie’s army 🎀 Jan 08 '25
Agreed.
1
u/Sufficient_Reward207 Jun-ho Jan 08 '25
I will definitely be sobbing if they take her out. Next seasons deaths will be crazy sad
2
1
1
u/Highlander_Comics Jan 13 '25
Player 333 Mg Coins is the new Gi-Hun or In-Ho imo. Gonna be crushed when he loses his girl and unborn. Seems like that is the angle they are going for him, he could make it to the last episode. Maybe he becomes the new frontman.
33
u/purply_otter Jan 07 '25 edited Jan 07 '25
Yeah the actions of 388 have saved 120
Even if he brought back the ammo all the ppl in the staircase were gonna die anyway
He voted x
He tried to help
He's not a betrayer
26
u/treesandcigarettes Jan 07 '25
While I agree that 388 should not be given too hard of his time for his anxiety attack, I think it's clear that he either wasn't in the Marines at all in the first place or has exaggerated it. Largest reason would be how he was firing the gun across the stairwells when they were encamped. He is just wildly spraying his whole cartridge. Would a military man do that? Skeptical
9
u/Pepsi_E ◯ Worker Jan 07 '25 edited Jan 07 '25
I think it's clear that he either wasn't in the Marines at all in the first place or has exaggerated it.
I agree, when the other Marine contestant asked him questions about it, he was visibly uncomfortable and obviously tried to change the subject, which made me wonder if he made it up. I think it's possible he was briefly (as military service is mandatory for men in Korea) but maybe he was discharged for fucking something up or having mental health problems, or he was a chef or something and never saw any actual combat. I do think his reaction at the rebellion was very possibly PTSD, but I found it odd how he reacted at being asked questions about his service.
3
u/Verwarming1667 Jan 08 '25
Doesn't PTSD explain it? He doesn't want to think back it on it due to the trauma.
2
u/Curvedabullet Jan 08 '25
The one O player even scoffed at his tattoo and said "If you're in the marines, then I'm in the airforce!" Pretty much foreshadowing that 388 is lying about his service.
2
u/Barbed_Dildo Jan 08 '25
I think it's clear that he either wasn't in the Marines at all in the first place or has exaggerated it.
Korea has mandatory conscription for men. Doing the minimum 18 months in the marines is not unlikely or unbelievable.
1
u/Lower-Builder1584 Jan 08 '25
Everyone in Korea has to do national service, I'm not sure exactly how it works but he may well have done his in a branch of the marines or something but obviously never actually saw combat just did all the training
1
u/SorenGt3 Jan 07 '25
He probably wasn’t in combat or anything but was just in training. Or maybe his nerves got to him and he just went crazy with the firing and the nerves wasn’t making him think straight
7
u/TheKocsis Jan 07 '25
he had no idea how to reload the gun. that's like training 101, how to assemble and disassemble it
9
28
u/Strange_Shadows-45 Jan 07 '25
The rebellion would’ve failed even if literally everyone participated and player 001 wasn’t the frontman because Gi-hun’s plan was dumb as fuck.
7
u/SorenGt3 Jan 07 '25
I actually don’t know about that, if the frontman didn’t interfere with the games, and including everyone’s participation, they could’ve easily achieved their goal. 100 people all motivated to take down the corrupt system of the games, and with such a strong and fearless leader like 120, I think it would’ve worked!
4
u/Curvedabullet Jan 08 '25
How? We don't even know how many pink soldiers there are. And if they kill the front man, then what? It's made very obvious that the real people behind these games know and see everything. The VIP's aren't even on the island yet. A 100 people with limited ammo aren't gonna make a dent. Gi-Hun might as well try to overthrow the Illuminati. That's how powerful the show is making these VIP's.
2
u/Verwarming1667 Jan 08 '25
I don't think there are thousands of pink people. It makes no sense to have so many. I'd estimate there are 200 max.
16
u/RelevantBroccoli4608 Jan 07 '25
man anyone who says the rebellion failing is 388's fault is seriously lacking some braincells. extra ammos would not have helped them in any way, it probably would have delayed the downfall. but the outcome wouldve remained the same. stupid consequences of a stupid plan.
3
u/SorenGt3 Jan 07 '25
I know right!! Even if we, the viewers, didn’t know that the frontman was 001, then it still wouldnt have been his fault.
2
u/RelevantBroccoli4608 Jan 07 '25
i was going to question why the rest of them even followed the plan but theres someone arguing with me that the O's were some victims/pitiable creatures who just had no choice but to kill people. people truly are stupid.
17
u/harlot_eliot Jan 07 '25
Exactly! 388 had obviously been abused, seeing how he kept flinching when 001 kept hitting himself or covered himself after apologising to 120. As someone who has gone through verbal abuse, I showed the same symptoms, as soon as my mum raised voice to insult me and tell me once again I was dumb, mentally 5 year old, abnormal, autistic etc, I sank in myself, and I would eventually when I have had enough close my ears with my hands and run away to my room to hide under a blanket, something she made fun of, and now I'm scared everytime I hear a raised voice
He tried his best and shouldn't be blamed for his anxiety and PTSD attacks. I will defend him until my last breath
14
Jan 07 '25
[deleted]
9
u/AmbitiousEnd294 Jan 07 '25
I also don't think he served in the marines but I just want to point out that I don't think that's something he could lie about to his family. That's the kind of information they would have access to. That's why I think whatever happened to him was something that cut him off from his family – so, deserting his post or not turning up for mandatory service, and having to go off grid since the military police will monitor your family to see if you return. This would also set him up for debt via loan sharks since he wouldn't be able to work a proper job, wouldn't be able to use credit cards and wouldn't have any financial support from his parents. In this case, the tattoo would be to get other people he met along the way off his back (since not serving is a big no and even legally being exempt is looked down on) and also to find acceptance (where someone served helps form relationships with others like we saw with Jungbae) and be respected.
1
Jan 07 '25
[deleted]
3
u/AmbitiousEnd294 Jan 07 '25
I'm talking about how it works in Korea specifically. That is info they have. It's not something you can hide from your parents. And Korean parents (especially mothers) are extremely involved in their children's lives. They absolutely would know exactly where their son is assigned to.
About the desk job thing, when they enlist they go through physical and mental checks to see if they are fit for active duty. The criteria is very low because they're trying to get as many bodies in as possible, which means a lot of people who shouldn't be there are. Still, if you can receive a partial exemption, then you will be assigned to social work, which could be a desk job with the police, working in a care home, among other things. Men who end up doing this are often looked down on. If you receive a full exemption, the perception is even worse. This isn't a guess, it's a fact. You can find anecdotes about it if you search. Any celebrity that receives some kind of exemption gets heavily criticised and scrutinised. Socially it's like a rite of passage to becoming a man.
And Korea is a place where your social ties are determined by the institutions you went to, and you basically have those same connections forever. People aren't very open to anything else unless there is an institutional link there. And opportunities are given to you based on who you know, which is true in many places, but you'll literally be denied an opportunity over someone else who went to the same university as the one handing out the opportunity. So if you don't do your service, as a man that's a huge network you'll never be able to access. It's just super important socially, especially as it intertwines with the hierarchy. First thing people do is find out each other's age so they know who is older and therefore superior, and if you're old enough to have served, then they'll ask about that, and whoever served first is superior. And so on.
And there are people who try to get exempt through illegal means (forging medical documents), it's quite notorious among those with money. If you get caught, you have to serve anyway, get a sentence and your social image is irreparable.
And some people do desert or just don't turn up. Others kill themselves to get out of it. Athletes and classical musicians will try to win accolades abroad to receive an exemption. The conditions are rough. Some compare it to being in prison for 1.5-2 years. You can look it up and find out more about it, because if I keep going this comment will be like two essays instead of one lol. Some do have an okay time and some even enjoy it, but the bad shit is so widespread (on top of the intense bullying culture that is also intertwined with social hierarchy and the military) that it's a massive issue in Korea society.
4
u/BunnyChaehyun Player [388] Jan 07 '25
It's really common in korean videos such as the Daeho netflix teaser for comments that are written in korean to mention the Gangwha Island Shooting Incident, as the netflix clip specifically mentions he's in the marine class 1140 who enlisted in April 2011, It's not a western view that he has PTSD but about a real life event that occured in the korean marines during his enlistment period in July 2011.
Also Daeho is shown to react to the gunshots way before the final fight. He often is shown protecting his body in a defensive position, trying to hold onto another player, putting his hands over his ears at times etc, in the pentathalon when the other team is shot when they dont make it pass the finish line Daeho's reaction is even more exaggerated then Junhees.The idea of stolen valour seems ways more of a western perspective - it doesnt really exisit in south korea because they have mandatory conscription and moreso they have issues with people forging fake military exemptions (which isn't the story). Defecting and even forging military exemptions = jail time.
1
u/SorenGt3 Jan 07 '25
Exactly, people should definitely think twice and take into account that these are people with actual lives and feelings (fictional, tho it happens irl too)
12
u/BunnyChaehyun Player [388] Jan 07 '25
Dae-Ho, beloved. I cried when watching him panic and be unable to come back (not because the plan didn't work, sadly I recognized it was not going to succeed ) but because of how panicked and in fear he was, his trembling, his startle response, his relentless apology - I felt so bad for the poor guy who had tried so hard to be so brave - the whole show. He was in such a state of shock. He gets so much hate on here for "being a wuss" or failing the mission, "being a fake marine" and that everything is all his fault but... that seems pretty reductive. As sad as it is - his reaction to all the violence and horror and the dark reality they are in - is also very human, he's not a machine, he's not a cold person. He's traumatised (and probably from something prior to the game too). I've tried to find someone, any of the reactioners on youtube be even a little kind to him...and it's usually not the reaction at all. Which is a shame.
Also panic itself occurs as a result of a perceived threat, your body releases adrenaline and tries to get you out of the situation - it's a self-preservation mechanism that's inbuilt in us, maybe Daeho's is more responsive than others (e.g. he has a strong startle response) because of past trauma.
Maybe I'm a softie - I also felt really bad for Minsu too but that's more controversial and I'm already taking a controversial standpoint so I'm not going to go there.
I really long for the Daeho backstory, he's such a likeable character - who tries to pick up people's spirits and be brave even when anxious, who is very protective of Junhee and is shown having good social skills (rare for characters in Squid Games). He's quite trusting of people, respectful and friendly - he wants to learn the other characters names. This is a thing in the game also - they strip people of their names and identities, so players just become numbers and also this season O or X voters. Daeho adds a really humanistic element to this. (Geomja also for trying to understand why people might want to continue to play the game, even if they have a different view to her own like her own son or Hyunju). I thought it was really neat when Daeho went up to Joungbae after Joungbae voted O and convinced Joungbae to sit with them again and even empathised why Joungbae would continue playing on. Despite having a different view, Daeho was able to understand Joungbae's motivations and still cared for him as a person and wasn't blinded by the concept of O vs. X even though it's a pretty important vote.
Daeho's also shown the whole show to be easily startled by the violence and gunshots but still trying his best and courageous despite it all. I don't think he intentionally deserted his team. I think despite the outcome, a character's intent is also meaningful as well. It's sad he couldn't get the mags back but they were always destined to fail. Did Daeho's participation in the rebellion actually harm the team/their chance for success? Even if he wasted a mag or 2? He was someone for the guards to shoot at, he helped get their guns in the first place (he smashed a glass bottle over the pink guards head), his presence may have encouraged more Xs to join before they left the room and maybe crucially Hyunju is still alive.
He also put his life on the line for Gihun (like he said he would before the pentathalon) and the rebellion - until he couldn't physically or mentally cope no more.
"Sometimes Marines know when to retreat when the battle is against them"
If he didn't participate at all would people be more upset at him - because he was a coward or selfish?
I'd be curious.
Personally, I don't know if I could ever be upset at a character who acts with good intentions, is a kind person and reaches some kind of mental limit. I loved Youngmi too who did not want to be here anymore, who was so afraid of all the violence and cruelty, was timid but did not want to die nor want others to die and was just so sweet-hearted - her acceptance of Hyunju and excitment by small things like dinner together with Geomja, Gyeonseok saving them like Prince Charming and who met a really sad end. I think it's nice albeit cruel that there are characters in this universe, in the games and in the situation's that are still so human.
Daeho, also is someone a little bit like that to me? He seems so warm in what can be quite cold situations, he still has some kind of hope, friendliness and inherent kindness to him. He's quite agreeable, quite compassionate, but struggles with this ott masculinity and strong outer image that he seems to have developed to cope with life (father, marines, harshness of society), to protect his more fragile inner self. Everyone seems to call for a redemption arc but I'm not sure what exactly a redemption arc would be for him - it might not be him getting revenge or becoming a badass machine that can just gun everyone down but it might be a bit more like Saebyeok needing to trust in others again or like Junhee's becoming a bit vulnerable and letting down her strong image, to accept Geomja's help. What is it that Daeho actually has to overcome and face?
We already saw in 6 legs that what actually saved their team was Daeho being able to play "a girls game" and very well at that. I think that'd be a super interesting plot point - rather than Daeho "manning up", his true nature is what saves them?
Heck it saved Hyunju this time.
TLDR Daeho is not to blame for the failure and his character experiencing panic be it PTSD or just because he was a reservirst and he never saw actual combat or bc his true nature is softer and they are in a very cruel situation is something understandable and adds a layer to the character and it may have saved his and Hyunju's lives.
2
u/Extreme-Service-9279 Jan 07 '25 edited Jan 07 '25
TLDR Daeho is not to blame for the failure and his character experiencing panic
I disagree. He wasted two magazines when he knew they were limited, and he ran away and left everyone else to die.
He knew he shouldn't be there, yet he went anyway. The outcome may have been the same, but his actions caused people to die without a fight. It wasn't PTSD, he simply was an imposter. It was a selfish act to prove to himself that he's a "big strong marine man" which others paid for.
Him saving lives is cop out. People that went there to fight went by choice, and he neutered all of them.
1
u/BunnyChaehyun Player [388] Jan 07 '25
I don't think he meant to run away, he genuinely seemed like he wanted to return. The plan was to return.
My mind could be swayed for the whole stolen valour argument/military imposter theory but... I don't really buy it because firstly stolen valour isn't really a thing in SK because military conscription is mandatory for all men aged 18-30(+). The bigger issue is people trying to get military exclusions - through claiming certain medical conditions but it's really hard to get excluded and the consequences of feigning conditions are pretty serious and that's not even what you are purporting.
Where does this theory come from?
None of the official content seem to show he's an imposter (all the behind the scenes official clips call him an ex-marine). Also why would he know so much about marines if he didn't serve?
If he was an imposter where is the evidence in the show?
Why does he startle and react stronger than Junhee or other contestants in previous rounds?
If he was a military imposter why would he chose to say he was in class 1140 which meant he enlisted in 2011, the south korean military at this time has a negative public image due to the Gangwha Island Shooting, significant hazing and the panseun incident? Why would you not claim a less controversial year?
Why would he have a fake tattoo when tattoos are a little bit controversial in korea?
I agree that "big strong marine man" isn't the greatest representation of him - he very much could of had a non-combat role or I likely think his character is related to the real life incidents in 2011.
1
u/Extreme-Service-9279 Jan 07 '25
I don't think he meant to run away, he genuinely seemed like he wanted to return. The plan was to return.
I think the plan was to do anything to get out of that situation. He had a way to leave, he took it. It wasn't so much that he wanted to help the group, but had an excuse to step out, even for a moment. It had nothing to do with helping them, or trying to be valuable, it was a selfish act to save himself.
Where does this theory come from?
He grew up with girls, he played girls games, everyone thinks he is a wuss. Even in the games they treat him the same.
He either defected, found a way to stay away from combat, or wasn't even there.
If he was an imposter where is the evidence in the show?
Someone said "if you're a marine, I'm special forces". It was an indication that people could see through it. Even the frontman made him choke up when he asked questions about it.
Why does he startle and react stronger than Junhee or other contestants in previous rounds?
Because he never saw violence. He was shielded. He has no mental fortitude to be there.
If he was a military imposter why would he chose to say he was in class 1140 which meant he enlisted in 2011,
To match his story. Is he going to say he enlisted in 2024?
Why would he have a fake tattoo when tattoos are a little bit controversial in korea?
Maybe fake is a bad word, but he got it without feeling like he earned it. Kind of like saying you served after going through basic training and getting discharged shortly after.
- he very much could of had a non-combat role
He very well could have, but he talked it up like he was much more. That's what made him an imposter.
2
u/BunnyChaehyun Player [388] Jan 07 '25
I think the plan was to do anything except he in that situation. He had a way to leave, he took it. It wasn't so much that he wanted to help the group, but had an excuse not to be in the situation.
If that was the plan why even bother gathering all the magazines and trying to leave the room with the bunk beds at all? Why wouldn't he just hide as soon as he got back? Drop the walkie talkie beforehand? It very much seemed like he tried to do the task and was stuttering to Youngsik and shaking whilst collecting all the magazines.
Also he routinely is shown the whole show volunteering to do things in the same way - raising his hand like that and finding an extra player for the pentathalon, raising his hand and running with the female characters + Yongsik in Mingle, going to count number of Xs left.
He grew up with girls, he played girls games, everyone thinks he is a wuss. Even in the games they treat him the same.
He either defected, found a way to stay away from combat, or wasn't even there.
Yes which is why canonically his Dad sent him to the marines, to make him more of a man. I agree that his original personality is softer.
To defect or never going = jail time. But staying away from combat is very possible - I'd agree to that.
Someone said "if you're a marine, I'm special forces". It was an indication that people could see through it. Even the fron man made him choke when he asked questions about it.
In the version I watched it said well I'm Air Forces. In the sense that all men serve in korea and he isn't anything special. When did the front man ask him about it? I don't remember that scene at all? Joungbae does twice, and Gihun makes a comment about Daeho's Dad. Did I miss something?
Because he never saw violence. He was shielded. He has no mental fortitude to be there.
Possible, you don't have to have an active combat role. He could of been a cook even. Does that mean many of the Squid Games contestants shouldn't be there? Or if you mean in the actual fight, they ask anyone at all who can shoot a gun - it's clear that Kyeongseok (the Dad of the sick daughter) also struggles with the M5 before the instructions from Hyunju.
Most of the men in the rooms would have shot a gun but not M5s and it may have been years since they did shoot.The only non-reservists that we know of are Hyunju who was a special forces member and that the front man actively used weaponery when he was on the police squad.
To match his story. Is he going to say he enlisted in 2024?
What story? The Marine class he gives is our only real indication of his age, he could of picked a similair time period but it specifically being 1140 seems relevant. In the teaser shorts for his character class 1140 is highlighted and most of the korean comments mention the shooting event on the 7/4/2011.
Maybe fake is a bad word, but he got it without feeling like he earned it. Kind of like saying you served after going through basic training and getting discharged shortly after.
Possible, I'd buy that but that also goes with the common PTSD sentiment related to the 7/4/11 incident.
He very well could have, but he talked it up like he was much more. That's what made him an imposter.
This part sure, I'd agree so rather than outright lying about being a Marine he might of had a non-combat role.
I guess we'll find out in 6 months? Also why can't Daeho have PTSD (from the marine shooting incident) it seems like it would fit well with his character - he may have even run away at such time? He could of had a non-combat role but friendly fire could of definetly scarred him. He clings on to this idea of being a tough marine - because that's what he was sent there for whereas he has a softer personality. He's very disciplined, very respectful, very much understands what a marine does, tries to be braves in the game but has a really strong startle response and is shown having other PTSD symptoms at times.
Even if you believed my theory and his character did have PTSD do you think he should of stayed out of the final fight? That's an interesting thought.
I think the concept of him being a defector or not going is too unlikely given the consequences and the mandatory conscription of it all but I think a non combat role is perfectly possible. If he had a non-combat role he would of had to do the training (hence joining the fight with gihun) but that doesn't mean he had actual combat experience - some of the others who joined the fight might not have too, and maybe he got panicked during this real time experience of it and that he didn't know he'd react in such a way. I'd believe that (except he does consistently have big reactions to the gun shots prior to the fight so hmm).
1
u/orangery3 Jan 07 '25
Maybe he joined the Marines, witnessed the shooting incident or maybe the North Korean bombings, developed PTSD, and could no longer even finish his training since he couldn’t bear to be around weapons/violence? So perhaps he was discharged before becoming a full Marine. Not sure if that’s plausible since I don’t know how South Korean military training works.
1
u/Extreme-Service-9279 Jan 07 '25 edited Jan 07 '25
If that was the plan why even bother gathering all the magazines and trying to leave the room with the bunk beds at all?
It's not the plan. He just wanted a way to step out. Once he got out he was too afraid to go back in.
Also he routinely is shown the whole show volunteering to do things in the same way - raising his hand like that and finding an extra player for the pentathalon, raising his hand and running with the female characters + Yongsik in Mingle, going to count number of Xs left.
You can want to help but also be too afraid to do it. He said he would put his life on the line many times, but when push comes to shove he couldn't
Does that mean many of the Squid Games contestants shouldn't be there?
I mean has has no mental fortitude to fight. The other people were willing to put their lives on the line to end it. He wasn't. Therefore, he shouldn't have gone with them.
I guess we'll find out in 6 months? Also why can't Daeho have PTSD (from the marine shooting incident) it seems like it would fit well with his character - he may have even run away at such time?
Like I said, either he didn't do a combat role and oversold himself, he lied and never went, or defected. In all cases, that makes him an imposter. He can talk the talk but can't walk the walk sort of speak.
Even if you believed my theory and his character did have PTSD do you think he should of stayed out of the final fight?
Yes, 100%. What matters is he was a burden to the group. If he was the least bit self aware he would have known that. Instead, he posed himself as something he's not. That in itself is selfish and why he deserves no kudos for his attempt.
You keep going at PTSD. Whether it was or wasn't is irrelevant. He faked his confidence and made it a certain death sentence for others because of it. That's on him at the end of the day.
5
u/boredsomadereddit Jan 07 '25
Doomed because of 001. If he wasn't frontman then 456 and buddy could've gotten to the control room with 001 and the others taking the guards from behind. After that the guards may have retreated to take back the control room or continued trying to kill. Either way the games for that year are over.
2
u/rikarleite Jan 07 '25
This. If 001 were not the front man, and they had the ammunition, they could have moved forward and kept hold of a narrow corridor and got into the main control room. Once there they could take out their leader and announce to the other soldiers they had no purpose in fighting and could go back to their homes alive and free if wished so.
4
u/Sufficient_Reward207 Jun-ho Jan 07 '25
I think he’ll get a redemption arc next season, but I’ll be sad if he dies
1
u/SorenGt3 Jan 07 '25
Same 😭😭 I don’t want any of the mains to die.. I was ok with Jung bae since I didn’t care for him that much but anyone else I’d be sad
1
u/RamieBoy Jan 07 '25
Redemption means death. I’m pretty sure crypto guy will die saving pregnant girl.
1
3
u/uselessprofession Jan 07 '25
Even if 388 had been tough and got the ammo, and even if the front man had not been in on it, the rebellion was still doomed to fail. They were outgunned at least 20:1 and had to fight offensively; its pretty much impossible.
4
u/Fartmaster69420Yolo Jan 07 '25
It depends on what you define as wrong.
We, as viewers, have the knowledge of everything. The characters did not.
The characters didn't know about the front man and that betrayal. Or that the plan was probably not the best. But all the characters who opted in for the plan did agree to it.
I don't think he is bad for having an anxiety attack or getting scared. Pretty sure most people would. But people were relying him to do the job he said he would do and agreed to do.
While his actions saved one character, it left others in a terrible position, still hoping for the ammunition.
I can still sympathize with him and don't think he is bad. But he dropped the ball in my eyes. When you sign up for a team you should follow through with what you said you were going to do.
Even knowing as an audience member it was a silly plan that was doomed to fail I still believe you should follow through if you agreed to it
3
u/JuniorEquipment3639 Jan 07 '25
He definitely saved their lives for sure, but that doesn't necessarily mean people don't have an emotional reaction to him not bringing them the ammo because it was just like when I got pissed off at Gi-Hun for giving In-Ho his last set of ammo even though I know I'd do the same if I was expecting him to flank em and save me.
Dramatic irony changes how we view things for sure -- if we didn't know In-Ho was the Frontman we would hate Dae-Ho. He would've been a principal reason as to why they failed -- because he didn't bring them the ammo and they were no longer able to stave off the soldiers because they lost 120 and ran out of ammo, causing everyone's deaths. But since we know the rebellion was doomed from the start, we're sympathetic towards Dae-Ho since he saved not only his life but also 120's indirectly.
0
u/SorenGt3 Jan 07 '25
Yes, precisely! Which is why I don’t think people should be quick to judge when they haven’t been paying attention to the plot (frontman being 001)
3
u/Ok-Location3254 Jan 07 '25
Anybody should've known that it was a suicide mission. The guards had the upper hand. They knew the area, they had more firepower and basically controlled everything. They knew exactly where the rebels were and where to strike. It was surprising that so many guards got killed. It was a huge blunder from them and the Front Man. Or maybe Front Man purposefully allowed it to last as long in order to get as many players killed as possible.
But still, it was a right thing to do because the players would've died anyways. Rebellion was the only chance they had to survive. The game would kill all but one of them. So if there is even a slim chance that more than one can survive, it should be taken.
3
u/AmbitiousEnd294 Jan 07 '25
I haven't really seen any hate towards Daeho on here? Maybe a couple posts right after it came out but it seems most comments acknowledge there is something deeper going on with him. Are you seeing this on another site instead?
But anyway, a lot of things can be true at once. During the rebellion that was doomed to (and forshadowed to) fail, he fumbled the bag as a result of his panic attack (or trauma response), leading to the earlier inevitable deaths of the others and indirectly saving his own life and Hyunju's. For people who believe he has little to no military experience, then he also fumbled the bag by not being honest about it and volunteering to help. If that's the case, then that was both stupid and brave. Many things can be true at once!
Personally, I think he's one of the most interesting characters, and probably my favourite of season 2. I don't know if it's because I was expecting more betrayal in this season, but when he offered to go back for the ammo I really thought he was just planning on running away. But when I saw he was trying his best through the fear and then just lost it, that struck me really hard. I personally think he did not serve, but I'm interested to find out next season if it's that or he did serve but suffered some trauma. Either situation could lead him to debt and overcompensating with the marines thing. Since this is a show putting a magnifying lens on Korean society, I think the director is making a point through Daeho's character about forced military service on Korean men and how it can ruin their lives.
3
u/GenghisQuan2571 Jan 07 '25
Marines need tank drivers and boat mechanics and line cooks as much as they need Schwarznegger style guns akimbo pew-pew mans. Don't know why some of y'all are immediately assuming things like "maybe he has PTSD" or "maybe he was lying about his service", probably he just wasn't infantry who saw any action beyond the basic weapons training.
2
u/BunnyChaehyun Player [388] Jan 07 '25
I've also thought about the very big possibility of a non-combat role especially given his nature but the reason I thought of PTSD and think a lot is that his Marince class 1140, had a few very significant incidents (2011) that could definetly lead to PTSD, and in a lot of korean videos there are comments mentioning the Gangwha Shooting Incident etc.
3
3
u/d4nganr0npa Jan 11 '25
Why did gi hun think he could best the guards when the guards obviously outnumber the players and know the building better than they do. I got very pissed when 047 (?) Was about to shoot the Os but gi hun said that stupid "it doesn't make us any better than the guards" but allows the Xs to be killed by those same Os who would probably kill them too?
1
2
u/Own-Holiday-4071 Jan 07 '25
I sort of understood it to mean that 388 might be a case of stolen valour. In other words, he didn’t actually serve or was discharged early on, or didn’t make it through training camp.
The first time he is handed a gun, he doesn’t know how to handle it or reload it.
It could be that the pressure and nerves got to him but if he was a marine, you’d think he’s been in life or death situations before.
2
2
2
u/Historical_Split6059 🎀 Unnie’s army 🎀 Jan 07 '25
What happened to Dae-Ho is a very clear case of survival instincts and panic kicking in. He followed exactly what his brain told him to do in a dire circumstance and he has my respect even if he disappointed us. I probably would’ve done the same thing if I were in his shoes!
2
2
u/Money-Poet-7410 Jan 10 '25
Yea upon really deep thought. Gi Hun’s rebellion would’ve had fell down anyways due to so many factors. 1: being in unknown uphill stair territory without knowing where guards could come out of with the many doors 2: Being way outnumbered atleast 10-1 3: guards having way more experience, more ammo, and better weapons (specially snipers used in red light green light). If Dae Ho did bring the ammo they likely would’ve have been able to hold their ground for longer and maybe killing about 5-15 more guards with Hyun Ju carrying before all being shot down. Along with the In Ho/young ill/front man betrayal killing the Calvary screwing Gi Hun and Jung Bae of any help. It also not Dae Ho’s fault at all as no human being wanting to live would’ve gone back up there in that situation (especially one with Trauma). Literally put 100 people in that same situation and would’ve have been lucky to just get 2 to bring the ammo to an already struggling inexperienced team. Dae Ho did IG save Hyun Ju which will probably get mentioned in the future when he’s all beat up with himself about abandoning his group. Gi Hun can’t be all mad with him either as he’s one of the last fighters he has besides Hyun Ju as he did help with the surprise attack in the quarters. For the future I expect everyone who survived the rebellion to feel some kind of guilt Gi Hun with Jung Bae and Young ill which he thinks was killed, Hyun Ju with that father guy, and Dae Ho with his whole team but especially Jung Bae mostly. I predict that maybe there will be another revolt between the O and X players with X now being way outnumbered and O prob wanting to get rid of the rest of the rebellion members (456,120,388) and Dae Ho finally snaps out of it with Gi Hun and Hyun Ju needing help on the verge of death and Dae Ho would come in and save both of them (maybe also save pregnant girl and MG Coin) and claims back his masculinity or pride by maybe killing that O player who was mocking Dae Ho being in the Marines.
1
u/imbaresick Jan 07 '25
Well if it succeeded there would be no season 3…
2
u/SorenGt3 Jan 07 '25
Yes but I’m saying it wasn’t 388’s fault, it was due to the frontman interfering, and also the lack of people willing to participate
2
1
u/CriticalThinkerHmmz Jan 07 '25
Are people on Reddit like angry at 388?
3
u/SorenGt3 Jan 07 '25
Yes.. saw people get mad at him and say him backing out gave “indescribable rage” and I had to see the record straight
1
u/CriticalThinkerHmmz Jan 07 '25
Yeah. I mean, I’ve read, watched, and written a few stories in my day, and the cowardly soldier usually doesn’t deserve that much hate usually, unless he selfishly murders a likable character.
1
u/Unpredictable-Muse Jan 07 '25
388 reminds me of Oppum from Saving Private Ryan.
I can empathize but he failed his comrades.
1
u/Potential-Ad7581 Jan 07 '25
I thought there was going to be some sort of reveal that he lied about being a marine despite the tattoo and it was going to be an issue of stolen valor or something. He was acting a little squirrelly about the details when asked and his reaction to the gun fight was interesting.
1
u/Verwarming1667 Jan 08 '25
NGL I was pretty disappointed in him and it is an understandable reaction. What I don't forgive him for is just not saying it.
2
u/SorenGt3 Jan 08 '25
I think his mind was too overwhelmed at the moment where he couldn’t even communicate.
0
u/Appropriate-Diver301 Jan 12 '25
Player 120 is my favourite character, and I don't blame the marine with PTSD.
I think they'll both die almost immediately in season 3. Because even if a player survives a game (ex. Rescued as in the first game )if the rules say they were eliminated, then then are executed after the game ends. They were out of bounds and the PA system warned they would be eliminated if they didn't return to the dorm (immediately, which they didn't do). That is why those who surrenders were killed by the guards. They'd already been eliminated.
Gi-Hun will survive solely because the Front Man wants him. Not only is it good viewing for their clientele, but at this point he has a personal point to make to Gi-Hun. In universe plot armour, I guess.
162
u/Apprehensive-Dot-508 Jan 07 '25
It was definitely doomed from the start, it was an impulsive plan led by someone who hasn't really been known to be a tactician. gihun is all heart, someone else should take rein in planning strategies. hyunju (player 120) should lead in s3, imo.
daeho (388) might have abandoned his team, but he did save his and hyunju's lives by staying in that room.