Summary
- Squid Game season 2 is missing a beloved character, Sae-byeok, which is a disappointment as her performance was a highlight of season 1.
- Sae-byeok's death was necessary for the plot, but her character could still appear in flashbacks to continue her story and provide more development.
Squid Game season 2 recently got a disappointing cast update, but the new episodes of Netflix's dark K-drama can still fix season 1's biggest character mistake. Chronicling a deadly competition for a huge cash prize, Squid Game saw massive success upon its 2021 debut. The series follows Seong Gi-hun as he partakes in the titular Squid Games, competing against 455 other players also trying to get out of poverty. The show digs into the personalities and backstories of handful of contestants, making it all the more emotional as they perish one by one.
Netflix has yet to announce a release date for Squid Game season 2, but the next outing will follow Gi-hun as he attempts to take down the mysterious organization behind the Squid Games. The streamer has announced several cast and character updates for Squid Game season 2. Sadly, the cast list suggests the series isn't bringing back one of its best players.
Jung Ho-yeon Isn't In Squid Game Season 2's Confirmed Cast
When Netflix revealed the new and returning cast members for Squid Game season 2, its lineup didn't include Jung Ho-yeon. Ho-yeon played Kang Sae-byeok in Squid Game season 1. Sae-byeok is a quiet woman who winds up among the finalists during the Squid Game competition. She finishes all the games she plays, but she dies from the fallout of the fifth one. Although she makes it across the glass platforms, she gets caught in the explosion that follows. Glass fatally piercing her body, ending her chances of winning the competition.
Before she dies, Sae-Byeok asks Gi-hun if he'll look after her brother. He follows through on that promise, bringing the boy to Cho Sang-woo's mother at the ending of Squid Game season 1. It's a satisfying conclusion for the show's first outing, honoring two characters who meet tragic ends during the Squid Game competition. However, even if Gi-hun finds a way to pay homage to his fellow contestants, the show killing Sae-byeok might have been a mistake.
Why Sae-byeok Shouldn't Have Died In Squid Game Season 1
Sae-byeok's death is a disappointing development in Squid Game season 1, even if it's necessary to the overall plot. The first outing builds to a final match between Gi-hun and his friend Sang-woo, which leads Gi-hun to question everything that's happened so far. This will push him forward on his mission to take down the people behind the games in Squid Game season 2. Needless to say, Sae-byeok needs to die for the final confrontation to take place and move the story forward. Even if she'd lived beyond the fifth game, it would have been impossible for her and Gi-hun to walk away from the competition alive.
Still, part of the reason Sae-byeok's death is so disappointing is that Ho-yeon's performance is a highlight of Squid Game season 1. Ho-yeon proves herself a standout talent as she brings her character's story to life. She portrays Sae-byeok with a gripping nuance, helping viewers to understand why her character is willing to participate in the Squid Games in the first place. Given Ho-yeon's impressive performance in season 1, it would have been nice to see more of her. Her death rules out any further development in the coming episodes. However, there is one way Squid Game season 2 can bring Ho-yeon back.
How Sae-byeok Can Still Appear In Squid Game Season 2
Although Sae-byeok is among the major player deaths from Squid Game season 1, season 2 can still bring the character back. While she can no longer appear in present-day scenes, the Netflix series can utilize flashbacks to continue Sae-byeok's story. Season 1 only offers a snippet of her past, giving viewers enough information to understand who she is and what motivates her. Digging into her backstory can flesh out Sae-byeok's character further. And Gi-hun's promise from season 1 opens the door to do this.
Assuming Gi-hun checks in on Sae-byeok's brother, the two can discuss her character. In this way, Squid Game can work in a flashback or two — just enough to show off Ho-yeon's impressive acting skills. There will be plenty of other characters to explore in Squid Game season 2, so it can't focus too heavily on the dead. But if it follows the first season's nine-episode format, it should be able to manage a few cameos. Most viewers would be glad to see the likes of Sae-byeok and even Sang-woo again. Hopefully, Squid Game season 2 doesn't disappoint on that front.