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 inSquid Gameseason 2.Squid Gameseason 2 showsGi-hun returning to the Squid Game as Player 456to seek revenge on the Front Man, In-ho. Many of thenew Squid Game contestants– including the undercover contestant Player 001 – try to figure out how to make it out alive through thevarious games featured inSquid Gameseason 2. Dae-ho is also a new contestant who works with Gi-hun on several games, including thesix-legged pentathlon.
After becoming Netflix’s most-watched series of all time with its September 2021 premiere,Squid Gameseason 2was released on June 29, 2025.Season 1 star Lee Jung-jae returns as Squid Game winner Seong Gi-hunwho is determined to make the creators of the high-stakes survival game pay. Thecast ofSquid Gameseason 2also 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 directorSquid Gameseason 2 and has already confirmed thatSquid Gameseason 3, which will bethe 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 to retrieve the extra ammunition. This meant thatthe 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 thisshocking twist inSquid Gameseason 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’smore 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 ofSquid Gameseason 2. What’s most evident is thatDae-ho did not intend to betray and abandon the other contestantsbut 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 alsonot exactly clear why Dae-ho needs the money that brought him into the Squid Gamein 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 ofSquid Gameseason 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 serviceto 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 theSquid Gamein season 2 is unforgettable and alarming. Gi-hun might not be so understanding of Dae-ho’s decision inSquid Gameseason 3.
Squid Game
Cast
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.
