Squid Game Season 3 ending wasn't the original plan, creator reveals shocking last-minute twist and teases more deadly games ahead

Economic Times

29-06-2025

Squid Game is back with Season 3 on Netflix, and fans can't stop talking about it. Released on Friday, 27 June, the new season has received mixed reviews from both viewers and critics, especially when it comes to the ending. Now, the show's creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has revealed that the ending we saw wasn't what he had originally planned.
The finale of Squid Game Season 3 brings both sadness and a small ray of hope. It completes the journey of Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae), who makes the biggest sacrifice of all, he gives up his life so that Jun-hee and Myung-gi's newborn daughter can survive the deadly games. The baby becomes the symbolic 'last one standing.'
Gi-hun's final act touches even the heart of In-ho, also known as The Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun). Known for being cold and cruel, The Front Man shows a rare moment of kindness. He collects the baby from the arena and ensures she receives the full prize money, 45.6 billion won, in honour of Gi-hun's sacrifice.Speaking to Variety, Hwang said, 'When I had a vague idea of what I wanted to do in Seasons 2 and 3, I had a different ending in mind. But while writing the characters and shaping Gi-hun's story, I realised this should not be the way it ends. The new ending made more sense emotionally and was better for his character.'Hwang added that in his original version, Gi-hun was supposed to make the opposite choice in the finale. 'It was a very drastic change from my first idea to what ended up being the final story,' he explained.
A big part of Season 3 is the clash of ideas between Gi-hun and The Front Man. Gi-hun believes people are basically good and kind, while The Front Man has lost all hope in humanity, thinking people are selfish by nature. This conflict builds up to their final confrontation, the emotional high point of the season.One of the most powerful scenes is when Gi-hun, tempted to kill others in their sleep to survive, sees a vision of Sae-byeok (played by HoYeon Jung), his ally from Season 1. She reminds him, 'You're not that kind of person.' These words bring him back to his senses.Hwang said this moment was key. 'It had to be simple but strong. Sae-byeok's words were the best way to stop Gi-hun from crossing a line.'While this season ends Gi-hun's story, and Hwang's involvement with the series, at least for now, there are signs that Squid Game could continue. In the final scenes, a new Recruiter (played by Cate Blanchett) appears, hinting at a future game in Los Angeles.Hwang said, 'Even though the story has closure, I think it leaves behind a sense of longing. So maybe, if the timing is right, there's a chance for more stories someday.'
Squid Game Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix. Have you watched it yet? Share your thoughts with us.