Unexpected Same-Sex Ship From “Squid Game 2” Shocks Korean Netizens 

Its popularity has also confused Koreans.
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Koreaboo

The highly anticipated second season of Squid Game premiered on December 26 and sparked an impressive wave of discourse online. Although it hasn’t quite matched the cultural phenomenon of the first season, the show’s new episodes still managed to create quite the buzz.

squid game gihun
| Netflix

Among the topics gaining traction is the surprising popularity of this season’s antagonist, Hwang In Ho, also known as the Frontman. Despite his villainous role, fans were drawn to his complex backstory, including his time undercover as a participant in the deadly games.

hwang inho squid game
| Netflix

What truly caught many off guard, however, was the emergence of a romantic “ship” between Hwang In Ho and Seong Gi Hun, the main protagonist of the series.

For those unfamiliar, “shipping” refers to fans’ desire to see two characters in a romantic relationship, regardless of whether such a connection exists in the storyline. The term is derived from the word “relationship.” It usually happens with fiction characters from a movie, book, or TV show — but fans are known to also “ship” celebrities with each other.

International fans, in particular, have embraced this dynamic, creating video edits and sharing fan art that pairs the two characters romantically. This trend gained significant momentum on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, leaving many Korean fans surprised by its unexpected popularity.

A post on the popular Korean online community Instiz expressed confusion over the growing fascination, especially among non-Korean viewers.

www.instiz.net_name_enter_94654995_page=1&category=3&srt=3&k=&srd=2(Laptop)

www.instiz.net_name_enter_94654995_page=1&category=3&srt=3&k=&srd=2(Laptop) (1)

www.instiz.net_name_enter_94654995_page=1&category=3&srt=3&k=&srd=2(Laptop) (2)

  • “This is all thanks to Netflix’s official account… They posted a two-shot, and it already has over 100,000 likes.”
  • “The two are super popular, lol.”
  • “LOL, honestly, if you take everything else out and just focus on the characters alone, I can see why people are obsessed.”
  • “Whether it’s idol ships or this… same energy.”
  • “I seriously don’t understand. I feel like I’ve stared into the abyss.”

While the reception to this ship might be mixed, it’s undeniable that Squid Game 2 continues to evoke an impressive range of reactions from its global fanbase. Who would’ve thought that a romantic ship between the hero and the villain would emerge out of the deadly show?

Source: Instiz
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