Summary
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Il-nam could be the Front Man's father due to 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 Squid Game and keep fans engaged. (Characters: various)
Over the years, there have been many theories that fans have floated about it Squid game and its characters. In season two, Front Man himself joins the Games and becomes a more prominent character, prompting fans to look deeper into his past and family. While the only confirmed blood relative is his brother, Jun-ho, many believe he may also be related to someone else on the show, namely a key character from the first season.
This theory revolves around Il-nam being secretly the Front Man's father. There are a few different signs that have pointed to what fans have discovered, making it a plausible theory for the game's leader. Here's what was put together for the Squid game theory.
This article contains spoilers for Squid Game season 2.

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Is Il-nam the father of the frontman in Squid Game?
Breaking down the theory
The reasons why many fans theorize that Il-nam might actually be In-ho's (the Front Man) father come from a few different scenes in season 1 and season 2. After season 2 was released in December 2024, fans began piecing this theory together based on what they knew about the two characters.
In the first season, there is a scene between Gi-hun and Il-nam, who become close during games, in which they choose between regular milk and chocolate milk. Gi-hun chooses to get the chocolate milk and Il-nam tells him:
As a child I'm willing to bet you were spanked a lot… My son did too. He was just like you, man.
In a scene in Season 2, In-ho, also known as Front Man, takes some plain milk and decides to give it to Jun-hee instead. He tells her that he doesn't drink regular milk, leading many to make a connection between this scene and the one between Gi-hun and Il-nam. Although the original theory for this connection had incorrect translations of the captions, the correct translations could still hint at the possibility that Il-nam is related to Front Man.
Is this theory plausible?
Could this actually be implemented into the story?
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It is implied that In-ho and Il-nam's son do not like milk.
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The two are both heavily involved in the Games.
While the original theory made fans believe that Il-nam's son and the Front Man were both lactose intolerant, even the correct translation could still imply a connection. The Front Man, or In-ho, essentially implies that he simply doesn't prefer milk, which is what Il-nam tells Gi-hun. Il-nam implies that her son usually chose chocolate milk over regular milk, which often got him into trouble. While the real explanation makes this theory less possible, it's still something that could be implemented into the story and appear in season three.
This theory may 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 links the two. It is possible that since In-ho had a difficult life before joining the Games, struggling to make ends meet and save his wife, he was unaware that Il-nam was actually his father. Even though Il-nam was revealed not to be his father, it is likely that In-ho felt a special bond with him, since he gave In-ho the chance to save his wife by participating in the Games and winning its profits. Then, immediately after winning, he decided to carry on 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 the father of another player?
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Possible connection between Gi-hun and Il-nam
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He implies that Gi-hun might be Il-nam's son due to his dislike of milk
There have also been other theories going around involving Il-nam, including the possibility that he could be one Gi-hun's father Instead. Since Gi-hun's father is never mentioned in the show, much like Front Man, many have put together a few moments that might hint at this possibility.
In particular, some fans analyzed the same scene from the first season involving milk. Since Il-nam claims that Gi-hun is just like his son, who was also spanked because he didn't like regular milk, many have theorized that this could imply that Il-nam is actually Gi-hun's father rather than the one of the Front Man. Later in the first season, they both realize that they are from the same region and that they grew up playing the same children's games.
While this theory is plausible, it is probable not that strong like the other, due to the fact that Gi-hun would probably remember what his father looked like if he were there to spank 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. However, there is still a possibility that this could become a reality in season 3 when it releases later in 2025.

- Release date
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September 17, 2021
- Launch
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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