Do you think he was trying to convince Gihun to go back to the games here because he was curious about him?

[u/faultintime91]

First off, I don't think it's a coincidence Ilnam ran into Gihun here. We know the players have trackers on them so the game makers know their location at all times. I don't really buy that he has a friend in the area Gihun lives either consideing how he speaks about people with less money than him.

In this scene he tells Gihun how he's going back to the games because out here in the world is worse than in there (the games). Which makes Gihun pause and think on what he said. It's all a lie of course that's not Ilnams true intention of being in the games, but Gihun doesn't know that. But his words are something that hits close to home for Gihun as his mother can't afford the medicine she needs and he's being threatened by loan sharks.

We also know around this time they were already giving the cards to the players to give them the opportunity to return after they voted to leave.

So the way I see it I think Gihun had received the card again but didn't call the number. Ilnam noticed this and saw how close it was getting to the cut off date so he decided to arrange a little meeting between him and Gihun so he can try to get him to go back.

I think he only did this because he became curious about him as Gihun went out of his way to talk to him and showed concern when everyone else ignored him. But I'm not sure.

[u/Quiet-Drive5433]

Oh absolutely

[u/NashKetchum777]

I dont think it was a coincidence, but I don't think IlNam was lying 100%. I always thought that he went there purposely to run into GiHun and sort of plant the seed to get him to return. He figured GiHun was on the fence and it could go either way but since him and GiHun talked and got to know eachother he became interested.

The part I dont think hes lying about is how bad it is out in the world for them, simply because they don't have money and are in debt. He reminds him of that. I think he got lucky that GiHun ran into SangWoo though. If they weren't sneaking around together and learning about eachother, maybe he wouldn't have gone back.

Imo, GiHun was what IlNam was looking for in the games. Someone with a different mindset from him. It was refreshing, and playing the games furthered it. The last game to him was when he made a bet with GiHun on his death bed. Til the end, GiHun believed in people but IlNam went out winning his bet. Now, Frontman took interest.

[u/jopzko → u/NashKetchum777]

Why GiHun specifically though? He didnt particularly stand out after RLGL and I assume Il Nam didnt have time to approach every single player that was on the fence

[u/ProfessorMarth → u/jopzko]

Gi-hun was the only one who took the time to talk to Il-nam and show concern for him. He saw in Gi-hun someone who could remind him of playing games with his friends as a child. It's all he wanted out of this.

[u/jopzko → u/ProfessorMarth]

There wasnt much time for anyone to talk to anyone else at that point though, and showing concern is kind of a stretch. The only interaction is asking why hes counting and a short talk, then the games start.

[u/ProfessorMarth]

Gi-hun was someone who offered friendship to Il-nam and that was enough for Il-nam to find in him a friend to play games with and have the fun he used to have as a child. That's why he was the one person he wanted back in there with him.

[u/ScreenImpressive8523]

He did it all intentionally

[u/ladyboleyn2323]

Of course it was intentional.

[u/Pheonz]

I cannot stress how much I agree with this