Summary
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Il-nam could be Front Man's father because of the milk scenes and their involvement in the Game. (Characters: In-ho and Il-nam)
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Fans theorize that Il-nam could also be Gi-hun's father based on similar scenes and regional connections. (Characters: Gi-hun and Il-nam)
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Theories about Il-nam's connections to the characters add depth to the Squid game and keep fans engaged. (Characters: various)
Over the years, there have been many theories that fans have thrown around Squid game and its characters. In the second season, the Front Man himself joins the Games and becomes a more prominent character, causing fans to look deeper into his past and his family. Although the only confirmed blood relative is his brother, Jun-ho, many believe he may also be related to someone else in the show – namely, a key character from the first season.
This theory revolves around Il-nam secretly being Front Man's father. There are a few different signs that pointed to this that fans have discovered, making it a plausible theory for the game leader. Here's what it was collected for Squid game theory.
This article contains spoilers for Season 2 of Squid Game.

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Is Il-nam the father of the front man in the squid game?
Breaking down the theory
The reasons why a lot of fans theorize that Il-nam might actually be the father of In-ho (The Front Man) stems from a few different scenes from season 1 and season 2. After season 2 was released in December 2024, fans began to tune in. this theory together based on what they knew about the two characters.
In Season 1, there is a scene between Gi-hun and Il-nam, who grow closer throughout the games, where they choose between regular milk and chocolate milk. Gi-hun chooses to take the chocolate milk, and Il-nam tells him:
As a child, I'm willing to bet you got hit a lot… And my son. He was just like you, my friend.
In a scene from season 2, In-ho, also known as Front Man, has some plain milk and decides to give it to Jun-hee. He tells her that he doesn't drink plain milk, causing many to make a connection between this scene and the one between Gi-hun and Il-nam. While the original theory for this connection had incorrect translations of the subtitles, the correct translations could still hint at the possibility of Il-nam being connected to Front Man.
Is this theory plausible?
Could this actually be implemented into the story?
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In-ho and Il-nam's son are both involved that she doesn't like milk.
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The two are both heavily involved in the Games.
While the original theory led fans to believe that Il-nam's son and Front Man were both lactose intolerant, even the correct translation could still imply a connection. Front Man, or In-ho, basically implies that he just doesn't like milk, which Il-nam tells Gi-hun. Il-nam suggests that his son usually chose chocolate milk over regular milk, which often got him into trouble. While the actual explanation makes this theory less likely, it's still something that could be implemented into the story and appear in Season 3.
This theory might also be more likely due to the fact that Il-nam was the original creator of the Games, and after In-ho won in 2015, he became the Front Man, which already ties the two together. It's possible that since In-ho had a hard life before joining the Games, struggling to cope and save his wife, he wasn't aware that Il-nam was actually his father. Even though Il-nam turned out not to be his father, it's likely that In-ho felt a special connection to him because he gave In-ho the chance to save his wife by entering the Games and winning profits. Then, shortly after winning, he decided to continue the legacy of the Games as Front Man, especially since his wife did not survive.

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Other theories revolving around Il-nam
Could he be another player's father?
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Possible connection between Gi-hun and Il-nam
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It implies that Gi-hun might be Il-nam's son due to his dislike of milk
There have been other theories involving Il-nam as well, including the possibility that he is Gi-hun's father instead. Since Gi-hun's father is never mentioned in the show, much like Front Man, many have pieced together several moments that could hint at this possibility.
In particular, some fans took issue with the same scene from Season 1 involving the milk. Since Il-nam mentions that Gi-hun is just like his own son, who was beaten and because he doesn't like plain milk, many theorized that this could imply that Il-nam is actually Gi's father -hun and not Front Man's. Later in the first season, they both realize that they are from the same region and grew up playing the same children's games as well.
While this theory is also plausible, it is likely not as strong like the other one, due to the fact that Gi-hun would probably have memories of what his father looked like if he was around to hit him. Both theories have interesting origins and prove that fans are always looking for little easter eggs and implications, even if the chances of the theories proving true are pretty slim. Although, there is still a possibility that it will become a reality in Season 3 when it launches later in 2025.

- release date
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September 17, 2021
- Distribution
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Wi Ha-joon , Anupam Tripathi , Oh Yeong-su , Heo Sung-tae , Park Hae-soo , Jung Ho-yeon , Lee Jung-jae , Kim Joo-ryoung
- seasons
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2
- Showrunner
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Hwang Dong-hyuk