Some viewers have recently reviewed the subtitles inSquid Gameseason 3 and noticed that the ones revealing Player 388’s backstory have some glaring mistranslation issues. Player 388, Dae-ho, was initially one of the most likablecharacters in Squid Game season 2. He became even more admirable when he performed incredibly well during the Six-Legged Pentathlon.
The player also showed immense bravery when he agreed to join Gi-hun’s rebellion inSquid Gameseason 2’s endingmoments. Since he claimed to have served in the Marines, he was believed to be a worthy addition to the heroes' team. However, something about him seemed off even before the final showdown.
Despite claiming to have served in the Marines, he seemingly struggled with his gun and barely fired any shots at the enemies. Dae-ho also eventually backed off from the final battle when Gi-hun and his crew needed him the most. He eventually meets a tragic fate inSquid Gameseason 3 moments after the show reveals the truth about his past.
Squid Game Season 3 Mistranslated Dae-ho’s Real Story About Being In The Marines
His Real Story Reveals One Crucial Detail About His Military Past
Since military service is compulsory in South Korea, many viewers could not help but believe that Dae-ho was being honest about his history in the Marines. After season 2’s finale, many speculated that his PTSD from serving in the military prevented him from helping Gi-hun in the final showdown against the guards.
The show does not reveal the truth about his backstory in season 2 but attempts to clarify everything with one line in season 3. During the hide-and-seek game, Dae-ho tries to justify his actions to Gi-hun by coming clean about his past. As the English subtitles suggest,he claims to have never served in the military and even adds that he never held a gun before they fought against the guards.
The correct translation reveals that, instead of saying he did not serve in the military, the character says he was a social service personnel.
This seems confusing since men between the ages of 18 and 28 have to serve in the armed forces for a period of 18 to 21 months in South Korean.A Reddit user clarifiedthatSquid Gamemistranslated Dae-ho’s line. The correct translation reveals that, instead of saying he did not serve in the military, the character says he was a social service personnel.
The user added that Dae-ho also claims to have never “properly” shot a gun,suggesting that he might have used a firearm during his trainingbut never in real combat.
What Is A Social Service Personnel In South Korea?
They Are Not Eligible For Military Services
In South Korea, individuals who are not eligible or suitable for mandatory military service get the option of alternate civilian service as social service personnel. After going through three weeks of basic military training, social service personnel have to usually serve for about 21 months in diverse settings, including government offices, courts, and welfare facilities.
Since individuals training to become social service personnel have to go through a basic military course,they do get to use firearms in controlled conditions. This explains why Dae-ho claims to have never “properly” fired a gun because he was never trained to deal with the high-pressure conditions of real combat.
Before the final showdown began inSquid Gameseason 2,Dae-ho seemingly assumed that he would be able to handle the fight against the guards with his limited military training exposure. To his dismay, things did not go as planned, and he cracked under pressure. The truth about his military background significantly changes how one perceives his story.
Why This New Information Impacts Dae-ho/Player 388’s Backstory?
It Makes It Hard Not To Empathize With The Character
The English translation on Netflix of Dae-ho’s explanation suggests that he blatantly lied about his past only to be accepted among the heroes. However,the correct translation of his history makes it hard not to empathize with himbecause it highlights how he was embarrassed about the perceived inadequacy of his service.
He feared that just because he did not serve in the Marines, others would see him as less brave or capable. Therefore, by getting a fake Marines tattoo, he fabricated parts of his military background.The show also subtly suggests that Dae-ho’s father was abusive towards himand hated how he was more inclined towards the things his sisters were interested in.
To fulfill his father’s skewed standards of masculinity, Dae-ho seemingly started lying about his military past.
His father seemingly wanted him to join the Marines as that would make him seem “manly” enough. When he failed to get through, his father likely abused him to the point where he internalized deep shame towards his identity. To fulfill his father’s skewed standards of masculinity, Dae-ho seemingly started lying about his military past.
While it is wrong that he lied about his history in the Marines and even failed to help Gi-hun and the team when they needed him,Dae-ho’s lies inSquid Gameseason 2clearly came from a place of immense pain and emotional turmoil.
Even before he entered the central games, it seems like he was barely surviving in the real world with his lies as his only leverage. This makes his death and his entireSquid Gamenarrative all the more tragic. After learning the truth about his backstory,it is hard not to feel bad about the Netflix show not giving him a more honorable death where he could redeem himselfand prove that his past failures did not define him.
Squid Game
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.
