Squid Game Season 3: Why Dae-ho was the only person Gi-hun ever wanted to kill, explained

In a show where players are forced to kill for survival, Gi-hun stood out for his reluctance to take a life. But in Squid Game Season 3, everything changes. For the first and only time, he doesn’t hesitate. He hunts Dae-ho (Player 388) in a way he didn't expect.

And then he finally kills him. Why? The answer lies in betrayal, trauma, and a rebellion gone terribly wrong. As seen in Season 2, Dae-ho joined Gi-hun and won everyone's trust in the team.

Dae-ho wasn't just another competitor. He was part of Gi-hun’s small rebellion, someone he believed in. He was someone who had the skills and strength to make a difference. But when it mattered most, Dae-ho failed him.

Whether it was fear, trauma, or selfishness, his hesitation cost the lives of other people Gi-hun was fighting to protect. The betrayal cut deep. So when the rules of the game gave Gi-hun the power to hunt him down, he didn’t hesitate.

Keep reading to explore more about Dae-ho and his journey in the game.

Who was Dae-ho, and why did Gi-hun trust him in Squid Game?

Kang Ha-neul as Dae-ho (Image via Netflix)

Player 388, named Dae-ho, is introduced in Squid Game Season 2, who claimed to be an ex-marine. He mentions enlisting in the competition to become more manly as he was encouraged by his father, who was a Vietnam War veteran.

During the games, Dae-ho also shares that he grew up with four sisters, which led to unexpected skills like mastery of gong‑gi. From his first game appearance, Dae‑ho bonds with Gi‑hun and Jung‑bae, offering help and loyalty in the early challenges.

Later in the climactic rebellion against the game organizers in Squid Game Season 2, Gi‑hun’s group launches an assault on the guards. Dae‑ho volunteers to fetch extra ammunition, but when faced with the task, he freezes in panic and hides in the common room.

Dae-ho's shocking behaviour during the rebellion resulted in its collapse and the deaths of many players, including Gi-hun's childhood best friend, Jung-bae (Player 390). Though it wasn't intentional, everyone started questioning if Dae-ho's marine claims were real.

Also Read: "Hyun-ju broke me into pieces": Trans player Hyun-ju’s tragic death in Squid Game Season 3 leaves fans heartbroken

The betrayal that changed everything: Why Gi-hun killed Dae-ho in Squid Game Season 3

Dae-ho was choked to death (Image via Netflix)

Gi-hun wasn’t someone who killed out of choice. He had always tried to stay human in a place that constantly punished compassion. But Dae-ho was the one person who changed that. What made Gi-hun turn into someone capable of killing with intention wasn’t rage alone. It was a betrayal.

As seen in Season 2, Gi-hun's team was out of magazines, and Dae-ho was responsible for bringing them. So, he quickly gathered all the magazines, but soon after witnessing players getting brutally executed, Dae-ho couldn't do anything but hide.

His absence shattered the plan. People died. The rebellion fell apart. And Gi-hun never forgot. By Squid Game Season 3, the damage was done. During the Hide and Seek game, Gi-hun was chosen as the killer in Team Red, and Dae-ho as his target under Team Blue.

It was the perfect storm: a chance to survive, and a chance to confront the one person he could never forgive. When Gi-hun finally found him, Dae-ho tried to fight back and even pulled a knife.

But for Gi-hun, this wasn’t just about self-defense. It was justice, grief, and years of bottled-up anger all erupting at once. He killed Dae-ho not because the game told him to, but because he truly believed Dae-ho had already cost enough lives.

Also Read: Squid Game Season 3: Why Geum-ja stabbed her own son – The devastating truth explained

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Edited by Alisha Khan