Many characters don’t make it out alive in Squid Game, and that seemingly includes police officer Hwang Jun-ho. However, actor Wa Ha-joon will be returning for the second season. So, will it be flashbacks, or is Hwang Jun-ho still alive?
What Happened to Hwang Jun-ho in Squid Game?
Hwang Jun-ho is a police officer who managed to sneak into the game’s facility to gather evidence and find his long-lost brother, Hwang In-ho.
Through Jun-ho, we can see how everything operates behind the scenes – masks and their ranks, the VIPs betting on the games, and more.
Later on, it is revealed that Squid Game’s mysterious Front Man is actually Hwang In-ho. It turns out, In-ho was someone who won the games back in 2015.
The Front Man/In-ho figures out that the 33rd Squid Game has been infiltrated, and Jun-ho gets chased at the beach.
Jun-ho is confronted by his brother on the edge of the cliff, and in order to keep the secrecy of Squid Game, the Front Man shoots him in the shoulder. Jun-ho then falls into the ocean.
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Squid Game: Is Hwang Jun-ho Really Dead?
The audience is left to believe that Hwang Jun-ho died. However, it is possible that he may have survived, especially because we don’t see a dead body.
This means that Jun-ho could have survived the shot and got washed up on the shore somewhere.
Additionally, it must be noted that the Front Man hesitates to shoot Jun-ho and even asks his brother to come with him. So, he must have intentionally shot Jun-ho in the shoulder knowing that he would survive.
Jun-ho is also a skilled and resourceful cop, so he must have found ways to escape the island.
Talking about his character’s fate in Squid Game, actor Wi Ha-joon said in an October 2021 interview with Newsweek that he believes “the detective was not fatally wounded.”
He also told Deadline that he hopes his Squid Game character Hwang Jun-ho is still alive to get answers both as a brother and a detective. He said:
“I’m dying to know what happened to him. I want him to return alive, find his brother and ask him tons of questions. As a brother, I would ask him sincerely. As a detective, I want to explore the overall secrets behind the game as well. I really hope to see Jun-ho come back alive and explore all these questions. I hope to see a more brotherly-love side of their relationship as well.”
Additionally, the fact that Netflix confirmed that actor Wi Ha-joon will be returning for Squid Game Season 2 strengthens the theory that Hwang Jun-ho survived.
However, it is also possible that Jun-ho will appear only in flashbacks. Season 2 will likely show us more about In-ho’s past, including his life before the games and how he went from being a winner to becoming the Front Man.
So, Jun-ho could appear in those scenes. However, considering that Squid Game Season 1 never really confirmed that the police officer died, Hwang Jun-ho could still be alive.
We will know for sure when Squid Game Season 2 comes out. There’s no official release date for the second season yet, so stay tuned for more updates and check here for all the latest news on K-Dramas.
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