S1E2: Hell

In "Squid Game" Episode 2, titled "Hell," the participants, having voted to end the game, are dumped back into their harsh realities. Gi-hun tries to report the game to the police, but they laugh him off. Sang-woo's financial troubles deepen, and he contemplates suicide. Meanwhile, Sae-byeok confronts a man who scammed her out of money meant for her family, and Deok-su finds himself in trouble with some gangsters. All of them grapple with their dire situations outside of the game. Gi-hun learns that his mother needs surgery he can't afford, and Ali's boss refuses to pay him his rightful wages. Despite their freedom, the players' real-world problems prove more daunting than the deadly games. With no better options, many decide to return when given the chance. As the episode wraps up, the majority of the characters re-enter the game, drawn by the promise of a massive cash prize they desperately need.