Squid Game Season 2: Will Kang Ae-sim Vote to Leave in the First Round?

In less than two months, Squid Game fever will grip the world once again when the mega-hit South Korean thriller returns for its highly anticipated second season on Netflix on December 26, 2024.

The first season broke records when it debuted in September 2021, becoming Netflix’s most watched series ever. Now fans are eagerly looking forward to finding out what’s next for Seong Gi-hun and the other survivors of the deadly survival game show.

One of the big questions leading up to the season two premiere is whether new character Kang Ae-sim will choose to leave after the first round or keep playing for a chance at the massive cash prize. Here’s what we know so far about her role in the upcoming season.

Kang Ae-sim’s Background

Very little is known about Ae-sim’s backstory so far. The Season 2 trailer shows quick glimpses of her wearing an employee uniform and looking stressed, hinting she may be drowning in debt.

In a short teaser clip released in August, her player number was revealed to be 240. Since the numbers seem to go in order of when players joined the game, it means she enters the competition early on.

Her Precarious Position

Ae-sim appears to be one of the more anxious and unstable players this season. In the trailer, she is shown having emotional breakdowns and panicking during the games.

Being emotionally vulnerable could put her at risk if she continues to play. But her obvious money problems suggest she’ll need a big payout to get out of trouble.

Will she vote to leave or carry on to win big? Visit 22bet.com and place a bet with odds of 26.12/1. Apparently, there is a 3.80% chance she’ll vote to leave.

Voting Dynamics

The new voting twist after each round adds an intriguing layer of strategy and social maneuvering. Players must weigh their own need for money versus the risk of dying in further games.

Loud, persuasive personalities could sway the vote toward continuing. Quieter types like Ae-sim may go with the majority to avoid standing out instead of voting for their own interests.

Clues in the Trailer

In one brief moment, Ae-sim is seen pleading “I want to go home” to Gi-hun, implying she votes to stop after round one but is outnumbered.

But in another clip, she walks away from Gi-hun, refusing to listen to his warnings about the game’s dangers. So, she may also be tempted to keep playing against her better judgment.

Gi-hun’s Influence

As the only winner from season one, Gi-hun wants to end the games for good. He will likely try to persuade players to use the voting mechanism to walk away with their earnings.

If Gi-hun takes Ae-sim under his wing, he could convince her to value her life over money and vote to leave. But his efforts may not be enough to protect her.

While Ae-sim seems like a prime candidate to avoid further risk, the addictive nature of the games and her financial motivations could lead her to make the risky choice to continue playing.

She faces pressure from both sides and clearly struggles with the weight of the decision. Her ultimate choice will have life or death consequences. Fans will have to tune in this December to find out if she gambles her life for more money or decides to leave while she still can.