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So Gihun keeps believing each time they're so close to winning the vote after the next game and that that will be his best way to save the players so he just keeps waiting for the next vote. But after the third game, or maybe after losing the vote in the next morning, He realized team O will most likely keep winning so he decides he has to take action but instead of starting the rebellion and risking so many lives he just takes Young-il with him.

As they approach the entrance to the management area, Young-il says, "It seems to be some sort of recognition system on the wall. I don't think we can get through without a mask."

"I see. Then why don't you just use yours to open this?" Gihun asks in a casual tone

"W...what?"

Groundhog Day Squid Game…Gihun wakes up in the games once more right before red light green light. If he dies or makes it to the end of the games he resets back to the beginning of the week.

The first repeat he’s in shock/denial. He outright confronts Inho calling him the frontman.

The next he’s quieter. He observes the participants, not providing the knowledge beforehand that he’s played the games before. He lets it play out as if he wasn’t there, watching the vote still fall short for X. Still, despite him not making a scene, Inho approaches him. Gihun takes notice, cataloging that Inho would always seek him out. He uses these opportunities to gain knowledge on Inho’s views, beliefs, etc. Inho and Gihun have many philosophical discussions and Gihun notices that Inho is almost defeated. Inho compares them all to cogs in the machine that can be replaced easily. In another loop, Gihun learns of Inho’s true identity as Junho’s brother.

He runs through a few loops. Pushing the limits where he can. Gihun uses his foreknowledge to let his group know about the pentathlon. Then mingle. Inho thinks there’s a leak. Gihun includes Inho in on his plans. Inho asks where he got the information, Gihun is vague. He remembers the doctor from his own games and how that turned out.

Finally, after the Mingle vote ends in a tie, something that has happened every time no matter what Gihun has done, Gihun knows he must act. If he lets the O’s follow through on their attack, the X’s will always be outnumbered and the cycle will begin again. Instead of waiting for night to fall, Gihun decides to tell his team he has a plan. He asks Inho to come with him, leaving behind everyone else despite their protests they can help. Gihun and Inho both act, sneaking out of the bathroom through the vents and making it to the main hall. They disarm a pair of guards and make it to the Frontma’s door.

[Insert Ellie—cat’s headcanon] Inho claims it must need a mask to unlock, Gihun points his gun at him, and tells him to use the Frontman mask to open the door.

Inho, unsure how Gihun had figured it out but somewhat unsurprised with all of the knowledge Gihun has had, relents, putting down his gun and giving them access to the office. He seems almost relieved that he has to stop hiding from Gihun. He walks into the office with confidence and heads straight for the liquor, pouring both of them a drink while Gihun follows with the gun pointed towards Inho.

Gihun calls Inho out for what he is. Challenges him, reminds him that humans are not horses.

Through past loops, Gihun has learned a lot. Once Inho said they were not very dissimilar, both competitors in previous games. In another loop, Gihun made it into the Frontman’s office and found records of Inho’s games, reading how Inho killed the remaining competitors in their sleep, similar to how Inho gave Gihun that opportunity.

In the present loop, Gihun tells Inho that they don’t have to continue the games. There are people who do not deserve to die to feed the greed of others…player 222, Jung Bae, the mother and son, 120, even Dae Ho. He challenges Inho, telling him that Junhee is due to give birth at any moment, what happens if she gives birth during the games. Despite living through his decision many times, watching the young mother fight for her baby till the last second, Gihun questions the man, even bringing up his supposed wife and unborn baby he had mentioned as Young-il, despite not knowing that was true.

Inho finally tells Gihun that it doesn’t matter if he dies, someone will replace him and the games will continue. When Gihun says Inho was one of them and he should know better than anyone how the games break you, Inho replies that winning breaks you more and Gihun should know that.

Inho (quietly): You don’t understand. Winning doesn’t save you. It ruins you. I came back because I realized — the real world doesn’t reward good men either. At least here, the rules are clear.

Gihun (softens): So you gave up? On everyone? On yourself?

Inho (bitter): I gave up pretending. The world never cared about us, Gi-hun. But in here, at least we see it for what it is.

Gihun (after a pause): No. What I see is a man who gave in to the very system that broke him. I won’t become that. You can still change, Inho.

Regret flickers in Inho’s eyes.

Gihun: You’re not a villain, In-ho. You’re just another broken man pretending he’s in control.

Inho (coldly): Control is all there is. This world is built on debt, desperation, and death. We just made it honest.

Gihun (steps closer): No. You made it worse. You could’ve walked away, helped people. Instead, you became the thing that destroyed you.

Inho’s gaze is calculating. Gihun pleads with Inho to change, reminding him that it’s not too late for him to go back. Junho is out there looking for him, these contestants have families and despite their flaws deserve a chance to go back to their lives. Inho has the opportunity to give them that.

Gihun: You’re still here. Still running it. You didn’t leave. That means part of you is still hoping—still waiting—for someone to pull you out of this.

Inho (a pause, then coolly): Hope is for players. I deal in reality. People came here knowing what they signed up for.

Gihun (angrily): No one signs up to die, In-ho. They sign up because they’ve been crushed. Abandoned. Just like you were. Just like I was.

Inho (voice rising): And what? You think letting them go makes any of it better? The world outside hasn’t changed. The wolves are still out there—creditors, bosses, illness, poverty. You think you’re saving them? You’re sending them right back into the fire.

Gihun (softening) Then let them decide. Don’t rob them of the chance. Some of them still have people out there. Families. Kids. Just like Jun-ho still believes you’re out there. Your brother is alive. He’s looking for you. You can face him. You can face yourself. But not if you keep hiding behind this mask and pretending you’re not the one holding the knife. You have the power to give them back their lives. You already know what the right thing is.

Inho: If I do this…there’s no going back. There’s not guarantee someone wont replace me. The games are out of our control.

Gihun: But these games are in yours.