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[krisantium]

Junho ages so much in the span of only 4 years.

Bro went from this in 2020:

To this in 2024:

It's not just about the eyebags, or the haircut or the tan (as the actor said). He spent the majority of both seasons in distress but he looks like this the whole season 2

While in season 1 he looks like this (and he watched more people dead, more horrors, and was physically drained in these pictures)

See the difference?

It's the eyes!

It's only when I put his pictures from season 1 and 2 side by side like that I can see how his eyes have lost its light. He is practically dead inside and it shows. He is not Gihun whom people known as this silly, cheerful, reckless persona before he turned cold after the games. Junho's always been this cold, quiet, determined person. But he did everything he did in season 2 with a big part of himself gone. It's not just sadness but I firmly believe that what he felt was more like a guilt (like what I explained in one of my post). And it consumed him from the inside so even tho the whole world still thirst over his looks in season 2, if we look closer, the eyes speak a lot.

(Also kudos to Wi Ha Joon for delivering such subtle detail amazingly)

[krisantium]

I really appreciate your analysis of the hwang brothers! It's interesting that they refilmed the scene for junho's flashback. In S2, inho pressed his wounded shoulder for a longer time and reached out his hand before saying, 'Let's go,' which is different from S1. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this change.

OH YES!! I just read it few days ago on X that they re-filmed this sequence for season 2 looking at few angles and other small details from Inho. I honestly did not notice any differences from the one we saw in season 1 when I watched it. It could be other takes they shot in season 1 that didn't make it to the final cut but I dunno. I think I have to rewatch it before making any assumptions. Gonna share my thoughts soon! Thank you for asking!

[krisantium]

I still have a lot of thoughts and analysis of the Hwang brothers from both season so bear with me. We are all in this train together!

[krisantium]

By the time the pink guards and the frontman cornered him on the edge of that cliff in season 1, Junho knew he is as good as dead.

There was no possibility that he can make it out from that island alive. He knew it. He only had one bullet left. The guards were full armored. Jumping off of that cliff was not a choice either considering the height and how there is nothing waiting for him below except the ocean.

And he wasted that one bullet shooting the frontman on his shoulder.

If he cared so much about the game and every filthy things he had witnessed that week, he'd shot the frontman right in the heart (or the head, because he is a professional, the mask probably wouldn't get in the way). Because he's dead anyway. At least make it even and the death of the person behind this game would be a huge blow to the organization. This, at least, gives his imminent death a purpose.

Except, it was never his purpose.

He came all the way through hell to look for his brother. And up until what's supposed to be the last minutes, he still had no idea where his brother is. He was going to die anytime soon (or, did the frontman just say he can let him live if he surrender? Whatever, death could be better), and all he is thinking was how the masked person in front of him could be his last link to his sole purpose, or, in the worst scenario, that man could be his brother. Yes that man could be his brother he's been searching for, couldn't he? He knew about the korean police bullet policy and he just said he could let him live (even tho he knew what's waiting for him in that island if he lives is worse than death itself). Maybe that was the sibling's intuition. Maybe he was too tired he got delusions. But the chance he was right were never zero. He couldn't risk it.

So Junho shot the frontman on the shoulder. And the second the frontman's hand raised to prevent the guards from killing him, he knew he was right. But the lines in his vision only started to blur after the frontman said his next sentence. The sentence he spoke in almost whisper while stepping closer to Junho so the guards can't hear; "it's over now, come with me, listen to what I said and you will live." Junho's world crashed knowing he was right. The drastic drop in his facial expression already noticeable when he asked "who are you?" because he already knew the answer.

[krisantium]

Do you have any headcanons about Inho and Junho’s father?

Hmmm I never had the exact headcanon about their father except for that he passed away when Junho was still so small that he doesn't even remember what his father looks like. But since you asked I try to think about it...

He's probably a good man too busy raising Inho all by himself so the thought of re-marrying is too much for him. He waited until Inho is big enough to take care of himself before getting married again. He married Junho's mom when Inho was about 15. A year later, Junho was born.

He raised Inho to be a good, caring and responsible child, but their hard life and the absence of mother's figure have shaped Inho into a though, strong-willed, hyper-independent man who tends to bottle up his emotions.

I have this clear imagination that when they buried their father, Inho was so heartbroken, but he can't really show it to anyone, especially after seeing his step mother crying endlessly and the 3 year old Junho just sitting there beside his mom being confused and clueless about what happened. So he picked Junho up and let him snuggle into his neck until the procession finished.

Inho was already in police academy by the time their father passed away. He was just allowed to take a leave for few days. Junho was consistently asking about their father everyday and he'd become more fussy and clingy to his older brother because Inho looks so much like their father. The night before Inho has to leave again for academy, for the first time, Inho let himself cry when he looked at his sleeping baby brother.

Started from that day, Inho became the guardian of his family. He always called home whenever he had a chance. He always kept up with Junho's growth and development. When he got his first job as police officer, he sent almost all of his first month wages home. He had to make sure Junho get the best childhood and education that he can offer.

And Junho, just like Wi Ha Joon said, being grown up without a father, his older brother is probably half, if not all of his life. His world revolves around a man named Inho.

So yes, in conclusion, my main headcanon about their father is his death was the big foundation in the relationship between his two sons.

[krisantium]

Junho's conversation with his mom about Inho gave us a glimpse of the turmoil Junho has been through for years after the incident with his brother.

When he said "if that's the case, he would have resented me instead. If I had just died...", it was just him saying how guilty he is feeling regarding his brother's situation. He scolded his mother for blaming herself while what he said to her is the exact things he wants to hear. That it's not his fault. That Inho chose this. That he had nothing to do with his brother's choice to become a monster. We knew from one of his scenes in season 2 that he went to therapy for his mental state. He's been trying so hard crawling away from the hole that eats himself over and over. He should have never accepted that kidney. He should have just died so his brother could sell that kidney to get the money for his wife's treatment.

And in his squid game wiki (I don't know how to check if this is canon or not), it is stated that when Inho joined the game in 2015, he was still at university. He was away from home. And it is likely that he was struggling with his school or financial at that time so he couldn't do much for his sister in law. And all the money that he and his mother's had at that time was used for his school instead of Inho's wife's treatment. This probably is the reason why Junho told his mother in that scene "we also struggled at that time, he knew that" (again, that's the exact thing he wants to hear), and the reason why his mother said that she's afraid that Inho would think that she favors Junho over him.

And so Junho puts the blame on himself. He knew his brother. He knew that a piece of him is gone with the departure of his wife. "Hyung, why?" was the last words he said to his brother. It was implied that he had flashback of that scene over and over. Maybe, he already knew half the answer. What he still wants to know is if is it true that a part of Inho's heart actually resents him after everything that happened, and that was enough for him to leave everything behind?

And it haunts him. And that's why he needs to go back to that island and asks his brother the question himself.

[krisantium]

loved your post about inho and gihun but i also need you to understand that them trying to break each other is why i ship them, lmao. im also highkey frustrated at the shippers who go "it was a look of love" or whatever, its like they're ignoring their whole dynamic that makes them interesting 😅

Their relationship is interesting, indeed. It's just the fandom's lack in comprehension drives me nuts. Did people skip episodes or what because many of them don't even know that Inho is the frontman?? Are we having children under the age of 10 in this fandom? Like, how did you miss such huge information? And anyway, since we talk about this internet-made gay couple, I want to highlight the one scene that empasizes the whole point of their so called romance.

Remember the dinner scene before the fight between Thanos and 333? They were supposed to be re-voting the next day because it was 50 50 between 0 and X that day. And guess who got the fork inside their gimbap foil? Yes, the X group, including Gihun. Inho was clearly testing the water. And Gihun, with this big idea inside his head, with the spirit of a saint, wanting to save the world while he's given a clear chance to save his own people, did exactly what Inho saw coming since the beginning. Screw the fork and the impending fight that can possibly save at least half of the players' life that night, let's just build this small army of amateur marksmen and kill the guards, the frontman and then blow this hell of a place instead!

And of course, if all of us still watch the same show, we could never forget Inho's monolgue about his wife, and we could also never forget the dramatic sibling's lore about the kidney transplantation. Inho was a man who tried to save everyone too. The savior complex consumed him until there is nothing of him left. And he wants that to happen to Gihun too. Like what I said before, he desperately wants to prove himself that this path he has taken now is meant for the people like them.

[krisantium]

Ever wonder why the show puts Lee Jung Jae, Lee Byung Hun and Wi Ha Joon as the three main casts (even tho the screen time of the later two were not even 50% of the total show)?

Yes, because the whole point of the story revolves around those three.

And I'm sorry if this gonna break many people's heart but the dynamic is not like what you all are talking about.

First off, let me talk about Frontman and Gihun. Well, the shipping is fun and games until it becomes annoying because it's not just game anymore but the whole fandom totally misread their dynamic. Inho is there to break Gihun. Inho is there trying to prove his point about the world. Inho sees himself in Gihun. No, no, Inho never sees hope for humanity in him, he is just waiting for the wall to crack. He aims for the wall to crack. And the crack happens. And if you were not too busy misreading his psycho stare as the look of love or admiration towards Gihun then you will remember their conversation right before the rebellion. Inho proves himself right. He sees Gihun as just another corrupted man who thinks he is the saint. The moment he said that he will risk his comrade's life for what he thinks as a greater good is the moment Inho won. Mission accomplished. And he is not proving anything to anyone, including Gihun. Only himself. Gihun is so much like his old self and he desperately wants to justify the person he has become.

Because if he's not careful enough, he is going to see his own wall cracking. If there is small string that could still connect himself to sanity, it's his brother. It's Junho. The scene where Inho, the ruthless frontman, the coldest human being on the show had PTSD and the image he saw is his brother asking him "why" speaks volume. For a moment, he questions everything. He questions himself and his decisions. For a moment, he is Inho. If he is what he is now then why seeing his brother's face shakes him so much?

So he needs to re-reasoning himself and he sees the potential in Gihun. He basically hunts the man down for years to put him in the game again while making sure that someone is keeping his brother away from the island and from him. Gihun is the consolation while Junho, the distraction.

[krisantium]

I know that season 2 is all about build-up but I still disappointed at how little we got about the Hwang Brothers so I entertain (and bully) myself with headcanons I made up inside my head.

By the time their father married Junho's mom, Inho was already a teenager (probably around 15-17 yo). Junho was born shortly after that so that explains the huge age gap between these two (we know Inho was born in 1976 from his player databook so it makes him 48 last season while Junho is probably still in his early 30s considering the actor's age).

Inho spent years being an only child and the prospect of having a sibling when he is already a big boy scares and excites him at the same time. When he knew that the sibling is a boy, his excitement grew and he instantly fell in love with his baby brother since the first time he came into this world

Their father passed away when Junho was still too young to remember and understand what and how a father is like. The situation only makes Inho's sense of love and protectiveness towards his brother grew bigger. He can't let his baby brother grows up without a father figure to guide him, so he became one. Inho was not only a brother but a father figure to Junho

When Junho was about 10 years old, he suffered from a chronic kidney disease. He is intolerant to hemodyalisis and someday his peritoneal dialysis machine didn't work anymore and it nearly took him. Inho was already a policeman by that time. On his graduation day, the sick Junho once told him that he will become a policeman too in the future, just like his brother. When he got a call from home telling him that his brother is in the hospital again and is very sick because his machine failed, he rushes as soon as he can. He find a very pale, nearly lifeless Junho still able to smile at him when he's at his door. Inho already made a choice by then. "I'll do anything to watch you become a policeman," he said while hugging his baby brother. Months later the transplantation took place.

The very young Junho nearly got a panick attack before they both get into the operation room. He was still a child after all. Inho did everything he can to calm him. Junho was first to get sedated and his last memory before shutting down was his brother's hand reaching for his.

Life is good again, and as he promised, he wacthed Junho grows and become a policeman, just like him. Junho's whole world really revolves around his brother.

If only we get their backstory more (hope we will in S3), because, everything, the story in whole would have been much more simpler, less complicated if they don't love each other that much. Junho went through hell to find his brother, only to get shot by the said brother and have a near death experience. Would have been easier if he just let go after that. While for Inho, why didn't you just shot your brother in the head? Even a non fatal shot to your brother makes your hands trembling and haunts you in your sleep. Where is the merciless phsyco with records of mass murder?

The backstory is so needed. To some people, their actions towards each other may not make sense.

[krisantium]

New official art from Borutage card.

And here is Temari Nara. Konoha's current first lady, Princess of Sunagakure, the only daughter of 4th Kazekage, the sister of the 5th and current Kazekage.

My girl is royalty and it shows.

[krisantium]

I've been saying how ShikaTema marriage has a lot of intriguing things to explore, at least politically, if the writer cares.

Their child is one of them.

Spoiler alert if you haven't read Boruto: Two Blue Vortex.

Let's take a look back to this excerpt from Gaara Hiden.

The novel ended with Gaara still not marrying anyone. In that case, he will not be having a legitimate heir in the foreseeable future.

And then we were surprised by the appearance of Shinki in the early chapters/episodes of Boruto. He was presented as the adopted child of Gaara. He called Gaara father.

By that point, even though it was never stated that his presence will legitimately secure the Kazekage lineage, we all can safely presumed that the problem with ShikaTema's child is already resolved.

And in the latest chapter of Boruto, Gaara himself confirmed that. "Sunagakure's future is in your hands." Shinki was actually intended to be his successor.

But then things took unexpected turn, that said heir decided to protect his father by sealing him, resulting of him getting turned into tree, and his Shinju appeared. They named him Ryu. And a Shinju must have one target. And we all know who his target is.

Since he said that he is able to break the seal his alternate self created, Gaara's life is going to be in absolute danger.

It's not been stated yet, but given the circumstance, Kankuro automatically becomes the one who takes charge from now on. He's by default, the interim Kazekage.

The next arc will be centered at the crisis involving Suna. Based on the pattern, the restoring of the Shinjus will not be possible in near future. And, back to that quote from Gaara hiden, if something also happens to Kankuro, there is only one person left to preserve the lineage.

It's the son of current Hokage.

Yes it should be almost, if not, illegal in ideal world. And it will give us an interesting show if explored.

And that mf Jura, the leader of Shinju has said something interesting about Shikadai few chapters before.

"Let's meet again someday."

There is no doubt that we will see more of Shikadai next chapters. And the conflict in Suna is perfect to put him into show. His fate will be decided in next few chapters.

I still pretty much don't think Kazekage Shikadai is possible. But it's not impossible either given the current circumstance.

What do you think will happen? I will be very much pleased to hear your thoughts.

[krisantium]

Here is the official translation.

I don't get why people talk shit about these 2 in laws for deciding to protect the most important woman of their life by keeping her in the dark instead of telling her the news they both know very well will break her. And shinjus are no joke bro no one in this planet has figured out how to handle them. And don't forget how Shikamaru has been through a lot that day his brain will eventually explode. This is a wise thing to do at least for now. As a person who is a part of her family and also as person who is responsible of the safety of the people of their respective villages right now.

[krisantium]

The unofficial translation from recent Boruto TBV chapter.

The context: Gaara has been seriously injured but luckily, Shinki sealed him so he can't die. He's safe at least for now but Shinki's shinju, Ryu is probably going to target him.

This panel hits me because they both worried about the most important woman in their life who is not even in the scene. Both know their woman, how she will react to the news and how it will affect them. The siblings bond is still so strong even after all these years being apart. My heart sinks thinking the most beautiful, peaceful, normal family in the series have to go through this. I can't imagine how the news about Gaara will break Temari and Shikadai.

Like what I said in my post last month, something bad will happen to this family. We have to try to be ready for that. Everyone's position is at risk. We have yet to see what political move Shikamaru will take regarding the crisis in Suna. And I believe, this new arc will put this family on the front line. I have this scenario of Shikadai being the main character (like his father once in Shippuden). A tragedy will be needed for the new gen's character development. And I am afraid this one will end up being his turnpoint (the talk about that he is only Kankuro away from the Kazekage throne now is also buzzing on X. I'm still not sure the Kazekage Shikadai is possible. The adoption of Shinki surely was made to prevent such conflict from happening but we will see. Nothing is impossible at this point).

[krisantium]

shikamaru having schizophrenic monologues with himself over and over because his mind tries to resist the omnipotence while his bestfriend, the only one that he can trust helping him with this mission "leaves" him

gaara has been defeated

shinki has been defeated (and most fans think that he is the next shinju)

kankuro sounds like he is about to get cooked too

shikadai, having encountered jura in only a brief battle, made some impressions. the "i shall remember your name, let's meet again someday" as the parting words doesn't sound okay at all.

Boruto TBV is not looking good so far for my shikatema family.

[krisantium]

My baby now dealing with alien attack in konoha while planning a secret mission all by himself to free this boruto guy while his brother in law in another country got defeated also by aliens and now is personally asking for his help for extra force.

[shikatemamonth24]

Kazekage Temari/ANBU Shikamaru

happy week 2!! I hope you love this piece I commissioned from @burin-burin as much as I do 💚💛

[krisantium]

how are some people just so talented it's unfair

[krisantium]

the conflict of interest that might happen because of the leaders of two strongest shinobi countries are in-laws is not being talked about enough in the fandom.