WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Squid Game season 2, episode 1.
Gong Yoo’s Salesman kills himself at the end of Squid Game season 2, episode 1 in one of the most intense scenes of the entire show. The imagery of a man in a suit playing Ddjakji with people at subway stations was one of the most memorable aspects of Squid Game season 1, even though the Salesman only appeared in two episodes and had just a couple of lines. Gong Yoo’s intense performance as the recruiter helped set the tone for the first season, and it remained to be seen how they were going to use him in season 2.
Squid Game season 1’s finale ended with Gi-hum promising the Front Man that he was going to find them and put an end to their operation. Gi-hun knew that to do so, he was going to have to find the Salesman and use him to track down the ones behind the games. However, while Gi-hun knew that the Salesman would always approach potential victims at subway stations, it took three years for him to find the recruiter. Mr. Kim and Woo-seok eventually ran into the Salesman, but Gong Yoo’s character wouldn’t let himself be captured.
The Salesman Played Russian Rollet Against Gi-hun And Lost
The Salesman Played The Last Round Knowing He Was Dead
After torturing Mr. Kim and Woo-seok into playing a combination of Jokenpo and Russian Roulette, the Salesman went to Gi-hun and confronted him. Whereas Gi-hun wanted to use the Salesman to get to the Front Man, Gong Yoo’s character wanted to prove a point about how some people are “trash” and need to be dealt with. This is why, earlier in the episode, he offered homeless people the chance to win bread or a lottery ticket. The Salesman believed miserable people made their own luck, which is why he had no remorse for killing people.
By not spinning the cylinder at the start of every round, the Salesman made sure that either he or Gi-hun would be dead after a maximum of six rounds.
Gong Yoo’s Squid Game character was somewhat fascinated by Gi-hun, who, despite not being great at any games, ended up winning the competition and now wanted to bring them down. This is why the Salesman invited Gi-hun to play a version of Russian Roullet in which the odds would never be reset, meaning that one of them was going to be dead after a maximum of six rounds. The Salesman was willing to risk his life in a game if it meant dealing with Gi-hun in his own twisted terms.
Why Squid Game Season 2 Killed Off Gong Yoo’s Character In Episode 1
The Salesman’s Death Concluded A Great Episode And Set The Tone For The Season
Squid Game season 2’s first episode was entirely focused on the Salesman and even showed him doing “mundane” things like going to a bakery – although he was going to use those pieces of bread for a game. It made sense for the show to give Gong Yoo a little more time to shine as the mysterious recruiter before killing him off to set the tone of the season. Learning about the Salesman’s backstory in Squid Game was great, but what made the character so fascinating in the first place was all the mystery surrounding him.
RelatedSquid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk explains why season 2 of the survival thriller show is shorter than season 1, and what led to the decision.
Gi-hun and the Salesman’s conversation at the end of episode 1 was one of the best scenes in Squid Game season 2, and it’s difficult to imagine what they could have done with Gong Yoo’s character after that. Revealing more details about the Salesman would’ve only made him less interesting, whereas killing him off during one of his own games made for an incredibly intense scene. As twisted as he was, the Salesman was ready to die for what he believed in, which is why he obeyed the games’ rules instead of just shooting Gi-hun.
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