10 Hidden Clues You Missed in Squid Game

One of the most subtle clues that foreshadowed the ending of Squid Game is the number 456, worn by the main character, Seong Gi-hun, throughout the games. The number isn’t just a random digit; it holds deep significance in relation to his personal journey. Gi-hun’s number marks him as the last player, and by the end of the series, he becomes the one who “wins” the game, but not in the traditional sense.

The number 456 represents Gi-hun’s transformation—he goes from a desperate man with nothing left to a player who ultimately rejects the brutal system. His position as the last player is not just a coincidence; it’s symbolic of him being the last person standing in a system built on greed and exploitation, and yet, still choosing to fight against it.

The haunting doll from the first game of Squid Game, who plays a pivotal role in deciding which players are eliminated, isn’t just a creepy centerpiece—she’s also a clue to the larger system of control and surveillance that governs the games. The doll’s fixed gaze and ability to spot even the smallest movement signal how the entire game is rigged to ensure that only a few survive

The doll is a stark representation of how the players are constantly being watched and controlled by those who hold the power. It foreshadows how Gi-hun, despite making it to the end, is ultimately controlled by a greater force—the very system that profits from his suffering and the deaths of others.

Throughout the show, the VIPs are seen in extravagant, high-class settings, observing the games from a safe, privileged distance. While their appearances seem like little more than a moment of spectacle, they hold a deeper meaning that ties into the ending. The VIPs represent the wealthy elite who profit from the suffering of others. Their casual attitude towards the violence shows how detached and indifferent the true masterminds of Squid Game are.

In the final moments, we learn that the person behind the Squid Game organization, Oh Il-nam (the old man), is one of the VIPs, illustrating that those at the top not only created the game for entertainment but do so for their own amusement and to satisfy their desire for power

Gi-hun’s hair color changes throughout the series, with his transformation symbolizing his emotional journey. At the start, he has disheveled hair, reflecting his chaotic and desperate life. However, after the events of the games, his hair becomes progressively more neat and combed, symbolizing his growth and realization of the darker truths behind the games

Gi-hun’s hair change is a subtle but important clue that foreshadows his eventual decision to take control of his life and challenge the system, even after winning the money. This transformation is a visual cue to his shift from a hopeless player to someone who will no longer stand by while others suffer.

Throughout Squid Game, the masked guards wear different shapes—triangles, circles, and squares—that signify their respective ranks within the game's hierarchy. The triangles are the lowest in rank, the circles are middle-tier workers, and the squares are the elite who oversee the entire operation. The clear delineation of roles within the mask system reflects the rigid class structure present in the game itself.

These shapes are a visual representation of the larger societal class divisions that the show critiques, where the workers at the bottom are exploited for the pleasure and wealth of the elites. In the end, we realize that the real mastermind of the games, Oh Il-nam, is at the top of this hierarchy, and the masks foreshadow the power dynamics that drive the deadly competition.

From the moment the elderly Oh Il-nam joins the game, he stands out as an oddity. His frailty and apparent innocence suggest he’s not a threat, making it all the more shocking when he is revealed to be the mastermind behind the games. His behavior—his constant pleading for kindness, his “innocence”—foreshadows that he is not as powerless as he seems.

Throughout the show, he forms an unlikely friendship with Gi-hun, which blinds the latter to the truth until the final reveal. Oh Il-nam’s actions, including his involvement in Red Light, Green Light and other games, hint that he is the true villain—just as his manipulation of Gi-hun and others was all part of his twisted game to re-experience the thrill of life and death.

The Squid Game logo, which consists of a large squid drawn on the game board and appearing in various places throughout the series, is a direct foreshadowing of the game’s ultimate nature. In the final game, the players must literally play a version of squid game, which mirrors their personal battles for survival. The logo is a visual representation of how the characters are forced to fight for their lives in the same way the squid game represents a contest of strength, agility, and survival.

It’s also important to note that the game of Squid Game itself is a metaphor for the economic and social systems that the players are trapped in—like the children’s game, the outcome often depends more on luck and manipulation than skill, reinforcing the show’s central theme of inequality.

In the first round of Squid Game, a player who tries to escape by writing a note pleading for help is killed immediately, leaving behind a cryptic message that says “save me.” This moment foreshadows the brutal reality of the game: once you’re in, you’re trapped. The note is a reminder of the illusion of freedom and the inevitability of death once you’re caught in the system. This is a metaphor for how people, often driven by desperation, can find themselves trapped in cycles of debt, poverty, and violence—ultimately unable to escape the system that controls them.

In the Squid Game arena, one of the most disturbing visual motifs is the large clock displayed throughout many of the episodes. The clock’s presence represents the constant pressure of time, and the looming reality that, in Squid Game, every moment could be your last. It foreshadows the ticking clock on the players’ lives as they’re caught in a deadly race for survival, and it serves as a reminder that time is constantly working against them.

This moment also echoes Gi-hun’s realization later in the series that escaping the game isn’t as easy as walking away. Even after he leaves the game, he is still mentally and emotionally imprisoned by the traumatic experiences he went through.

Throughout the series, the mysterious "Front Man" is introduced as the figure who oversees the operation from behind the scenes, and his true identity remains hidden until the finale. His cold, methodical nature and his connection to the games hint that he might be more involved than he lets on. In the final twist, it’s revealed that the Front Man is none other than Hwang Jun-ho’s brother, which not only adds layers to the mystery but also ties into the themes of familial bonds and betrayal.

The secret behind the Front Man’s identity foreshadows the idea that the games are built on layers of deception, and that every player, no matter how powerful, has their own personal connection to the tragedy of the game.

Squid Game is a show that rewards careful attention to detail, and the hidden clues scattered throughout the series make the finale all the more impactful. These subtle hints and foreshadowing elements offer a deeper understanding of the characters’ motivations, the game’s true nature, and the systems of power and control at play. With these clues in mind, you’ll be able to rewatch the show and experience the story in a whole new light—one that’s filled with new revelations and insights into the dark world of Squid Game.