Hey everyone! Let's dive deep into why I'm standing firm in my support for Gi-hun from Squid Game. I know, I know, the ending was… divisive. But hear me out, guys. There’s so much more to Gi-hun than meets the eye, and I'm here to break it all down. We're going to explore his motivations, his struggles, and ultimately, why I believe he made the choices he did. Get ready for a Gi-hun deep-dive!
Gi-hun's Core: A Heart of Gold
At his core, Gi-hun is a deeply compassionate and empathetic character. From the very beginning, we see his struggles. He's a man down on his luck, drowning in debt, and desperate to provide for his daughter. But even in his darkest moments, his inherent goodness shines through. Think about it: how many people in his situation would risk their own lives, and the potential prize money, to help others? He consistently prioritizes the well-being of those around him, even when it puts him at a disadvantage.
Consider his relationship with Il-nam, the seemingly frail old man he befriends in the game. Gi-hun shows him genuine kindness and protectiveness, even going so far as to sacrifice his own safety to help him. This isn't just a strategic move; it's a reflection of Gi-hun's innate empathy and his inability to stand by while someone suffers. He extends this same compassion to Sae-byeok, Kang Sae-byeok, the young North Korean defector, and Ali, the Pakistani migrant worker. He forms genuine connections with these individuals, seeing them not as competitors, but as fellow human beings struggling to survive in a brutal world. These relationships are crucial to understanding Gi-hun's character. He's not just playing the game for himself; he's fighting for his friends, for a chance to give them a better life. This selflessness is a defining characteristic of Gi-hun, and it's what sets him apart from many of the other players. It's easy to judge his choices in hindsight, but it's important to remember the immense pressure and emotional turmoil he was constantly under.
Gi-hun's kindness isn't just limited to his fellow players either. We see glimpses of his generosity and compassion in his interactions outside the game as well. He tries his best to be a good father to his daughter, even though he struggles financially. He cares deeply for his mother, despite their strained relationship. These are not the actions of a selfish or malicious person. They are the actions of a man who, despite his flaws and shortcomings, genuinely cares about others. This inherent goodness is what fuels his actions throughout the series and ultimately drives his decision at the end.
The Weight of Trauma and Guilt: Gi-hun's Internal Battle
Now, let's talk about the trauma and guilt Gi-hun carries. He's not a perfect hero, and that’s what makes him so compelling. He’s burdened by the knowledge of what he's been through, the lives lost, and the choices he made. The Squid Game fundamentally changes him, leaving him with deep scars – both physical and emotional. This is a man who has witnessed unimaginable horrors, and he’s forced to grapple with the moral implications of his survival. He won the game, but at what cost? The weight of this victory crushes him.
Gi-hun's guilt is a constant companion. He feels responsible for the deaths of his friends, for the people he couldn't save. This guilt manifests in his struggles to adjust back to normal life. He's haunted by the faces of those he lost, the memories of the games, and the realization that his choices, however desperate, contributed to their demise. This internal conflict is a driving force behind his actions in the aftermath of the game. He can't simply walk away and pretend it never happened. He's compelled to do something, anything, to atone for what he's been through and to honor the memory of those who died. This sense of responsibility is crucial to understanding his final decision. He's not motivated by greed or a desire for revenge; he's driven by a deep-seated need to make amends and to prevent others from suffering the same fate.
His PTSD is evident in his nightmares, his flashbacks, and his inability to form meaningful connections with others. He isolates himself, struggling to reconcile the man he was before the game with the man he has become. He is battling an internal war against the memories of the horror he experienced and the heavy weight of survivor's guilt. The trauma he endured is not easily dismissed; it's a defining aspect of his character arc. It’s important to acknowledge the profound impact of this trauma on his decision-making process. He’s not thinking clearly, he’s acting under the immense pressure of his psychological scars.
The Final Choice: A Stand Against the System
Okay, let's address that ending. Gi-hun's decision to turn back instead of boarding the plane to see his daughter is controversial, I get it. But hear me out! It's not about abandoning his daughter; it's about making a stand against the system that created the Squid Game in the first place. He realizes that the cycle of violence and despair will continue if no one challenges the powerful individuals pulling the strings. This is the culmination of his entire journey. He’s seen the depths of human cruelty and the devastating consequences of unchecked greed. He can't simply turn a blind eye and try to live a normal life.
His actions are a rebellion against the injustice he witnessed. He understands that the money he won is tainted, that it came at the cost of hundreds of lives. He can't bring himself to use it for his own personal gain while the system that enabled the Squid Game remains in place. This is a pivotal moment for Gi-hun; he chooses to fight for something bigger than himself, something bigger than his own happiness. He recognizes that his daughter’s future, and the future of countless others, depends on someone challenging the status quo. It is an act of sacrifice and a demonstration of his unwavering commitment to justice.
His choice reflects his evolution throughout the series. He starts as a desperate gambler, driven by his immediate needs and desires. But through the crucible of the Squid Game, he transforms into a man of principle, a man willing to sacrifice his own happiness for the greater good. This isn't a perfect solution; it's a messy, complicated choice made by a flawed and traumatized individual. But it's a choice born out of a deep sense of moral conviction, and it’s a choice I respect. Gi-hun’s action serves as a powerful message about the importance of resistance in the face of systemic injustice.
Why I'll Defend Gi-hun: He's Human
Ultimately, I defend Gi-hun because he's human. He's flawed, he makes mistakes, but he also has a good heart and a strong moral compass. He’s not a superhero; he’s a survivor struggling to make sense of a world that often feels senseless. His journey is one of resilience, of empathy, and of a desperate search for meaning in the face of unimaginable horror.
Gi-hun’s imperfections are what make him relatable. We see ourselves in his struggles, his vulnerabilities, and his moments of both strength and weakness. This is a character who wears his emotions on his sleeve, who is not afraid to show vulnerability, and who is deeply affected by the suffering of others. His humanity is what makes him so compelling and why his choices resonate with so many viewers. We may not always agree with his decisions, but we can understand the motivations behind them. His vulnerability, empathy, and flawed nature are part of why we connect with him so deeply.
He’s a reminder that even in the darkest of circumstances, compassion and resistance are possible. He inspires us to question the systems that perpetuate injustice and to stand up for what we believe in, even when it's difficult. Gi-hun is not just a character in a television show; he is a symbol of hope in a world that often feels bleak. So yeah, I'll defend Gi-hun till the day I die, because he represents the best of humanity – the ability to find hope and fight for justice, even in the face of despair. What are your thoughts on Gi-hun? Let's discuss!