The overwhelming acclaim for Lee Jung-jae’s performance as Gi-hun in <em>Squid Game</em> cannot be overstated. Fans of Squid Game fell in love with him during the heart-wrenching first season and have continued to support him as he embarks on the thrilling journey of the second season. As we look forward to Season 3, there’s no doubt we will be cheering for Player 456 yet again. However, a significant aspect of Squid Game’s allure is its knack for crafting doomed side characters that evoke mixed feelings. In Season 2, we meet the self-identified Shaman, Seon-nyeo (Chae Kook-hee), also known as Player 044. With her serious demeanor and ominous prophecies, Seon-nyeo’s statements can be unsettling and easily dismissed as you root for your favorites. Nevertheless, even though Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of Squid Game, may not shift his focus from a grounded critique of capitalism to a mystical narrative, Player 044 is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the upcoming Season 3.
Understanding the Deep Roots of Shamanism in Korea
In her first encounter with Gi-hun after his return to the games, Seon-nyeo offers to perform a spiritual cleansing for him. “You have souls lingering above you, souls that are still tied to this world,” she informs him ominously, “Those vengeful spirits are what brought you here.”
Korean Shamanism, characterized as a polytheistic folk religion, is widely recognized for its unique rituals and deep cultural significance. Despite facing stigmatization throughout various periods of colonization, Korean Shamanism is currently witnessing a resurgence. Over the past five years, the number of online searches for Shamans has doubled, indicating a growing public interest. This resurgence is reflected in popular media as well, with shows such as 2022’s The Glory portraying prophetic fortunes as a luxurious pastime for the wealthy. K-horror films like Exhuma and Sleep also depict Shamans as viable solutions to issues beyond the reach of conventional medicine.
The rise of new-age Shamanism, which is becoming increasingly profitable in the online marketplace, aligns seamlessly with the themes presented in Squid Game. Similar to the crypto scams portrayed in Season 2, it underscores how the internet serves as a tool for capitalism, where individuals transform themselves into brands. Although Shamanism is a new element introduced in the series, the critique of religion has always been a recurring theme. When the character known as The Recruiter (Gong Yoo) first approaches Gi-hun, he mistakenly perceives him as an Evangelist and dismisses him, citing his Buddhist upbringing. After surviving the initial games, Gi-hun is unceremoniously ejected from a limousine right in front of a man preaching about an impending judgment day. Additionally, during the emotional Marbles game, Ji-yeong reveals that her abusive father was a pastor who would pray after subjecting her and her mother to violence. This representation illustrates how religion can manifest as a dangerous force within the context of the games.
Player 244 (Kim Si-hyun) relies on prayer to navigate the treacherous game environment. Following the Tug of War, he expresses gratitude to God for sparing his life. His public expression of gratitude, however, creates tension with Ji-yeong (Lee Yoo-mi), who points out that it was actually the skill of their teammates that saved him, not divine intervention. She argues that thanking God for the demise of others is morally questionable. He continues to pray during the Glass Stepping Stones challenge. When the first player who attempts to push him forward falls to his death, it seems to validate his beliefs. However, the second player who tries to help him succeeds, resulting in his own tragic end.
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Seon-Nyeo’s Shamanism: A Game-Changer in Season 2
Seon-nyeo has undeniably made an impact on Season 2. During the intense Pentathlon challenge, she collaborates with fan-favorites Hyun-ju (Park Sung-hoon), Yong-sik (Yang Dong-geun), his mother Geum-ja (Kang Ae-sim), and Young-mi (Kim Si-eun). However, during the game, Seon-nyeo’s pressure-induced breakdown reveals her vulnerabilities. The teamwork that inspires others instead amplifies her anxiety. When she struggles with the spinning top, her desperation leads her to pray harder. When her efforts remain futile, she resigns to the belief that the gods have forsaken them. Hyun-ju must intervene by slapping her to snap her out of her panic. Despite her lackluster performance, she still votes to continue the games.
In the Mingle round, the first challenge requires a count of 10. The Pentathlon team pairs with Gi-hun’s group, after Hyun-ju forcefully drags a distressed Seon-nyeo along. Despite this being the second time Hyun-ju has rallied her, she declares, “You all owe your lives to me.” When Seon-nyeo performs well, she feels divinely chosen, yet when she falters, she believes that doom awaits her and her allies. Her erratic behavior, absent of the overarching themes of Squid Game, poses a significant threat to everyone involved. This mirrors Player 244’s blind faith in his prayers from Season 1, as he ultimately meets his demise due to inaction.
During the Mingle challenge, Seon-nyeo encounters Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri) and observes her pregnancy. She looks from Jun-hee’s belly to Gi-hun and remarks, “So there’s a reason you’ve survived longer than intended.” There’s no time for anyone to question her cryptic statement. In the following round, her former team abandons her to form the necessary group of four, yet Seon-nyeo survives and flashes a twisted grin at Young-mi. Tragically, Young-mi perishes in the next round of Mingle, implying that one of Seon-nyeo’s ominous visions has come to fruition. Thematically, and according to the teaser for Season 3, it seems Seon-nyeo’s influence will only amplify, and some of her prophecies may very well come to pass.
Season 3 Teaser: Unraveling Seon-Nyeo’s Prophetic Visions
In Season 2, Players 006 and 306 follow Seon-nyeo after the Mingle game. Player 006 even changes her vote to remain in the games, creating a tie that leads to the bathroom brawl, ultimately resulting in killings outside the sanctioned games. In a particularly striking scene from the teaser, at least four individuals kneel in prayer before Seon-nyeo, suggesting a burgeoning following.
The latest teaser for Squid Game establishes a connection that Seon-nyeo made between Gi-hun and Jun-hee, bringing it full circle. The teaser showcases reverse close-up shots of Gi-hun and Jun-hee, both on the verge of tears. As the teaser concludes, the sound of a baby crying can be heard, hinting at the truth behind Seon-nyeo’s comment that their fates are intertwined. Gi-hun’s destiny may very well be linked to Jun-hee and her child, raising the stakes for Season 3.
In a chilling moment, players interact with a gumball machine to retrieve blue or red balls, which correspond to the colors of the vests worn by the characters. As Seon-nyeo speaks of destiny and fate, the games appear to be stripping away player choices and isolating them from their allies. Her sentiment during Mingle—that the group of underdogs should have sought her guidance because it was inevitable—resonates deeply. At the very least, Hyun-ju and Seon-nyeo are placed on the blue vest team. Regardless of whether her spiritual connections are genuine, Seon-nyeo may actively work to ensure that her prophecies come to fruition, even at her own peril.
The Spiritual Dichotomy: Seon-Nyeo as Gi-Hun’s Antithesis
Symbolically, Gi-hun and Seon-nyeo are positioned as opposites. Gi-hun is clad in a red vest while Seon-nyeo wears blue. He is brought back to the games in a coffin adorned with bows, entering the gumball machine space through an opening reminiscent of a cross, ultimately leading to a sharp point. This imagery consistently frames him as a Christ-like figure.
As a Shaman, Seon-nyeo serves as a thematic foil to Gi-hun. While Gi-hun is framed by the cross, Seon-nyeo is encircled, with blue-vested players praying around her. Her hands, adorned with beaded Shamanic bracelets, trace arrows in blood upon the wall. Her insistence that destiny is preordained by various gods represents an acceptance of the fatalistic nature of the games. In contrast, Gi-hun displays a defiance towards authority and shows disinterest in accepting his fate. While Seon-nyeo seeks consultation and perhaps even worship, Gi-hun’s survival stems from teamwork, sincerity, and the kindness shown to him by others. It remains uncertain whether Seon-nyeo’s narrative will endure past Gi-hun’s, but without a doubt, she will significantly influence the conclusion of Squid Game—perhaps she already has.
Squid Game Season 3 is set to premiere on June 27 on Netflix in the U.S.
