‘Squid Game’: One Fan Has a Mind-Boggling Time Travel Theory About Gi-hun and Il-nam
Fans have theorized multiple possibilities to unanswered questions about Squid Game. While Hwang Dong-hyuk has debunked many theories like whether or not Gi-hun (Lee Jug-jae) and Il-nam (Oh Yeong-su) are father and son, one fan outdid themselves. A fan went above and beyond with a theory about Player 001 and Player 456. This Squid Game theory involves time travel and the two-character possibly being the same person.
[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers about Squid Game.]
What is the relationship between Player 001 and Player 456?
In Squid Game, the main characters form a group to survive the deadly childhood games. Gi-hun takes sympathy on Il-nam, the only elderly player. To protect him, Gi-hun sticks by him and aids him when he can during each round. During the marbles game, the players have to pick a partner. Il-nam was left alone as no one wanted to partner with him over the possibility of losing.
Gi-hun was one of the rare few players who cared more about the others than the prize money. He teamed up with Il-nam. Fans had tears in their eyes when Il-nam was eliminated during the round after sacrificing his marbles to let Gi-hun win. But by the finale of Squid Game, Il-nam was revealed to be the Games creator.
There were clues to Il-nam’s identity all along. Fan also noticed the similarities between Il-nam and Gi-hun. But one fan theorizes the two characters are something more.
One fan theorizes Il-nam and Gi-hun are the same person in ‘Squid Game’
In a Reddit thread, one fan poses whether or not Il-nam and Gi-hun are father and son. Some fans believe it is more of a metaphor than a fact. But another fan took their relationship beyond reality into time travel.
“They are the same person in my theory. Gi-hun became the old man. The old man also didn’t know because his brain was damaged from the time travel (explains he couldn’t remember his name, he picked another name basically means First Man). He just has this familiar feeling toward Gi-hun. Hence wanting him to join the game and win. Gi-hun is also drawn to the old man basically because of the same feeling,” said the fan on Reddit.
The Squid Game theory seems extreme but is it possible? The director has debunked most fan theories, and he states a lot of details fans have noticed are mere coincidences. Fans have noticed how Il-nam is the first player listed while Gi-hun is the last. There are also small details like both growing up in similar neighborhoods.
Is the time travel theory of ‘Squid Game’ possible?
The fan theory is likely not feasible in Hwang’s type of story. While Squid Game has many interwoven and complex plot elements, there is only one clear message. It is about a broken capitalist society that feeds on greed, the poor, and desperation for sport and power.
Hwang has previously explained in multiple interviews that he based the story on his own financial distress and poverty. He explained that Squid Game Season 2 would stick to his ideas than the circulating fan theories. It seems as though when it comes to Hwang, the most straightforward answer is the best choice. The clues to the K-drama’s outcome and stories were in plain sight. They needed a second look to understand them.
