Since its release in 2021, Squid Game has become a global sensation. The Korean survival thriller has not only shocked viewers with its brutal games and social commentary, but it has also led to countless Squid Game theories. These fan-made ideas dive deep into characters, storylines, and hidden meanings. With so many secrets and twisted moments, it’s no surprise people want to uncover the truth behind the game.
The Red and Blue Card Choice: Were the Guards Also Players?
In the first episode, Gi-hun meets a recruiter who plays a game with him. He has to pick a red or blue tile. He chooses blue and ends up being a player. This choice has sparked one of the most popular Squid Game theories. Many fans believe that picking red would have made him a guard instead.
This theory suggests that the guards are also poor people like the players. They might have picked red in the same game and got hired to work instead of compete. If true, it means everyone in the game is being used by the system. They just play different roles.
Also Read: FFXIV Spearfishing Guide
Player 001: The Mastermind All Along?
Il-nam, the old man known as Player 001, appears sweet and weak. But as the story goes on, strange clues appear. For example, he doesn’t get scanned in Red Light, Green Light. Also, he seemed to know the layout of the marble game area. These hints support a popular Squid Game theory that says Il-nam is actually the creator of the game.
Later in the show, this is confirmed. He admits he joined for fun because he was bored and wanted to feel alive. Still, fans believe there are more secrets. They think he was testing players to find someone special.
The VIPs and Class Struggle
Another major theory is that the entire game is a metaphor for class struggle. This idea says the game shows how the rich control and use the poor. The players risk their lives, while the VIPs watch for fun. This theory matches the real world, where many people suffer while a few enjoy extreme wealth.
The Squid Game theories that focus on class divide say the game is not just entertainment. It is a cruel mirror of how our world works. Poor people are trapped in a system where survival feels like a competition.
Gi-hun’s Hair Color and the Future
At the end of season one, Gi-hun wins the game. But he doesn’t seem happy. He dyes his hair bright red, and many viewers wondered why. One theory is that the red hair shows a change in his mindset. He’s no longer the same man. He might be planning something big.
Some Squid Game theories suggest that Gi-hun will return in season two to take down the game from the inside. Others believe he will become the new Front Man, following the same path as the old winner who now runs the games.
Clues That Support Fan Theories
| Theory | Key Clue in Show | What It Suggests |
| Red/Blue Card Choice | Gi-hun picks blue, becomes player | Picking red may mean becoming a guard |
| Il-nam as Creator | Not scanned during games, familiar settings | He is not an ordinary player |
| Class Division | VIPs watch, players die | Shows social inequality |
| Gi-hun’s Hair | He dyes it red after winning | Symbolizes rebirth or revenge |
Was Ali’s Death Predictable?
Ali, the kind-hearted foreign worker, becomes a fan favorite. He saves Gi-hun early in the games and always acts kindly. But he trusts Sang-woo too much and ends up getting tricked. Some Squid Game theories say his death was foreshadowed.
He shows too much trust in a brutal world. That’s why his kindness becomes a weakness. The show may be sending a message: in a cruel system, good people often suffer the most.
Are the Games Based on Real Systems?
Some fans believe the games mirror real-life systems, especially capitalist structures. Each game represents pressure and how people act when pushed to the edge. People lose friendships, betray others, or become violent just to survive.
The game doesn’t change people; it shows who they really are. This theory fits with what we see in the show. Even Sang-woo, who seemed kind at first, chooses selfishness in the end.
Could the Front Man Be a Victim Too?
Hwang Jun-ho, the police officer who sneaks into the game facility, finds out that the Front Man is his missing brother. That twist shocked many. But it also started new Squid Game theories. Some believe the Front Man was once a winner too. He just got trapped in the system again.
This theory says winning doesn’t bring freedom. It may just pull you deeper into control. The system doesn’t let go of its winners either. They become part of the machine.
What Does the Doll in Red Light, Green Light Mean?
The giant doll in the first game quickly became iconic. But fans have looked deeper. Some say the doll represents innocence being weaponized. Others believe it shows how even children’s games can become deadly under pressure.
It also may remind viewers that childhood fun can become trauma when turned into a tool for control. These Squid Game theories make us rethink even the smallest details.
Also Read: Digitizing and Organizing Class Notes With PDF Editors
Table: Characters and Symbolic Roles
| Character | Symbolic Role | Fan Interpretation |
| Gi-hun | Hope and rebellion | May return to destroy the game |
| Il-nam | Creator and elite | Represents bored rich who exploit others |
| Ali | Blind trust and innocence | Goodness suffers in corrupt systems |
| Sang-woo | Morality vs. ambition | Shows how greed changes people |
| Front Man | Control and fallen hero | Winner turned into a servant of the system |
The Numbers Behind the Game
Each player in Squid Game has a number. Gi-hun is 456, the last. Il-nam is 001, the first. Many think this shows a deeper meaning. Some theories suggest the game is a full circle. The first and last players have a link.
It could mean the game is always repeating. New players take the same journey, and nothing really changes. The order of numbers could also show how the system ranks people.
Will There Be a Season Two?
Yes, Netflix has confirmed a second season. Fans expect answers to old questions and new twists. Many Squid Game theories point to Gi-hun returning as a major force. He may try to stop the game or become part of it in a new way.
Season two may also show how the games started. Viewers want to know who made the rules, how the VIPs got involved, and if others in the world know the truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the most popular Squid Game theories?
Some fans believe the guards were once players who chose red in the card game. Others think Il-nam created the games and joined for thrill.
Is Gi-hun going to be in charge of the Squid Game in season 2?
Many theories suggest Gi-hun may return either to destroy the game or take over from the inside after dyeing his hair red.
Why do fans think the games represent real-life society?
Squid Game theories say the show reflects class struggle, showing how the rich control the desperate for entertainment.
Was Il-nam really just a player?
Il-nam was revealed to be a key creator of the game. Fans think his presence was a test to study human behavior under pressure.
Conclusion
Squid Game theories have added new depth to the show. From the red and blue card choices to the idea of class struggle, fans have found meaning in every scene. Whether it’s the role of Il-nam, the fate of Gi-hun, or the dark power of the system, each theory shows how the story reflects our world.
The success of Squid Game is not just in its action, but in the way it makes people think. These theories remind us that beneath the games lies a serious message: when people are desperate, they will do anything to survive. And sometimes, even survival comes at a terrible cost.