Squid Game Season 3 concluded the series with a dramatic finale, but according to creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, the climactic ending was nearly very different. In a revealing interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Hwang shared the motivations behind his decision to overhaul the original ending for the third and final season of the global sensation, set to conclude Seong Gi-hun’s harrowing journey. The South Korean series, renowned for its searing social commentary and intense survival drama, has captivated audiences since its 2021 debut. Hwang’s reflections on the rewritten finale, coupled with news of an American spinoff featuring Cate Blanchett, signal an ambitious future for the Squid Game universe.
Hwang explained that the decision to reshape the Season 3 ending emerged from a deep reflection on the story’s purpose and its protagonist’s arc. “But as I began writing the story, and as I began to think more and more about, ‘What do I want to deliver with the ending of this story?’ And also, ‘What should Gi-hun’s journey and what should his destination be?’” he said. This introspective process led him to craft a conclusion that aligns with the series’ themes of desperation, resistance, and systemic inequality. Hwang further noted that global events influenced his creative choices: “I was witnessing more and more what was happening around the world and I thought it was more fitting for Gi-hun to send this powerful and impactful message to the world and that should be how the story comes to a close.”
The creator’s vision for Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, centers on a journey of transformation—from a desperate everyman in Season 1 to a vengeful crusader in Season 2, and now, in Season 3, a figure confronting the sinister organization behind the deadly games. Hwang emphasized the broader implications of Gi-hun’s arc, stating, “The world seems to be headed for the worst. It seems to be becoming, in so many different ways, so much worse ahead. I thought, ‘What kind of sacrifices do we need to make in the current generation for us to be able to leave the future generation with a better world?’ So I wanted Gi-hun’s sacrifice to be a symbol of that.” This focus on sacrifice underscores the series’ critique of societal inequities and the personal costs of challenging entrenched systems.
Hwang Dong-hyuk on Squid Game Season 3's Final Scene
The final scene of Squid Game Season 3 has sparked significant discussion, and Hwang offered insight into its construction and intent. “I didn’t have any intentions of wanting to drive all viewers into despair with the ending,” Hwang says in the same interview. “But the premise of the last scene was that the Front Man himself, he had heard of the other international games and recruiters being there, but he didn’t know for sure. And so he was actually also shocked to see for himself that there is this recruiter in America as well, and it was by chance that he saw her.” This revelation adds a layer of complexity to the series’ conclusion, highlighting the global reach of the games’ insidious network.
Hwang elaborated on the thematic weight of the finale, emphasizing hope amid struggle: “Through the story of Gi-hun and his sacrifice, I wanted to convey the ideas of hope and also of sacrifice, and how we should never let go of it no matter how difficult things get. With the last scene, I also wanted to, however, highlight that the system is so strong and deeply rooted that it’s not something that can be easily dismantled, and therefore it requires all of our continued efforts and strong will.” The final scene, with its unexpected twist involving the Front Man and an American recruiter, underscores the pervasive nature of the system Gi-hun seeks to destroy, while also leaving room for hope through collective resilience.'
Expanding the Squid Game Universe
Beyond the main series, Hwang discussed the franchise’s expansion with an American spinoff, tentatively titled Squid Game: America, in development at Netflix. The project, which will feature Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett, aims to reimagine the Squid Game concept within a U.S. context, exploring themes of economic disparity and human desperation through a new cultural lens. Hwang, who will serve as an executive producer, expressed excitement about the spinoff’s potential to extend the original’s provocative narrative. Blanchett’s involvement signals Netflix’s high ambitions for the project, with her ability to portray complex characters expected to anchor the story.
Squid Game Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix, delivering the gripping conclusion to Gi-hun’s journey and cementing the series’ legacy as a cultural touchstone. As fans dive into the final chapter, the forthcoming American spinoff, Squid Game: America, promises to carry forward Hwang Dong-hyuk’s vision, challenging audiences with new stories of survival and sacrifice in a world where the stakes are all too real.
