From 456, Squid Game: The Challenge is now down to three remaining players. The series released Episodes 6-9 on Wednesday, November 29, saving the final episode for last as only one can become a winner of the grand prize of $4.56 million. Sadly, some fan-favorite contenders, like the mother-and-son duo Players 301 and 302, Trey and LeAnn, have been eliminated. So, who are the remaining players, and what are their stories? Read on to find out.
Albeit controversial, Squid Game: The Challenge has now become the No. 1 series on Netflix’s Top 10 for the week of November 20-26 with over 20 million views—a far cry from the 8.8 million views of The Crown Season 6, which sits at No. 2. Inspired by the hit South Korean web series Squid Game by Hwang Dong-hyuk, it’s also part of Top 10 in TV in 93 countries. So, meet its remaining three contenders.
Warning: Major spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk.
Player 016: Sam
Despite staying on the sideline, trying to keep out of the spotlight so that he won’t be picked to be eliminated, Sam intentionally keeps his profile low to stay in the game. Sure, he almost didn’t make it after playing the star shape in Dalgona, but he’s still part of the show and one of the three remaining players who will fight in the finale. But he will never make it without the help of Player 278 (Ashley), who saves him from being eliminated during the Dorm Test of allegiance before Glass Bridge.
Sam is a little gay boy who grew up in a religious family and became an artist in Florida. Now 37, he plans to have a big art studio for his work and help his husband with his movie projects when he wins. He also eyes to help rescue and protect animals and make wise investments.
Player 287: Mai
Mai slowly gets everyone’s attention when she starts to form a close relationship with her fellow female contenders, calling themselves The Snack Pack, though she also earns a few rivals on the way. She “breaks the chain” that the other women players agreed upon during the Dorm Test of allegiance by saving her friend, Player 286 (Chad). But her biggest rival comes when she disagrees with Player 278 during the Glass Bridge. However, she proves no one is an ally in Squid Game: The Challenge when she eliminates her friend, Player 418 (Roland), instead of her foes.
Mai is a refugee who came to the U.S. when she was eight. Originally from Vietnam, her life has always been about beating the odds, so she uses all the difficult memories she has to remind herself “to be strong,” making her endure being a single mom and having a 20-year career in the Navy. If she wins, she wants to buy a house where she can spend her retirement days and donate to the causes she cares about.
Player 451: Phill
Another contender who surprisingly made it to the finals is Player 451, Phill, but it cannot be denied that he has worked hard for this. He won the Dalgona game despite carving out the star shape, defeated Player 337 (Bradford) in the Marbles face-off, and correctly guessed who put the gift box on his table twice during Circle of Trust. He also allied with Player 393 (Jackie), Player 016, and Player 278 but betrayed his friend, Player 355 (Hallie) in the end.
Phill describes himself as a “go-with-the-flow kind of guy.” He’s a scuba instructor based in Hawaii and was originally from Brazil but moved to the U.S. in middle school. If he becomes the first grand winner of Squid Game: The Challenge, he will never want to keep all the money and plans to share a good portion of it with his family and friends.
When will Squid Game: The Challenge Episode 10 be released?
Squid Game: The Challenge Episode 10, titled One Lucky Day, will be released on Netflix on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at 12 AM PT/ 3 AM ET. But as time varies per region, you can check the other release times below:
United States (PDT) - 12:00 AM
United States (EDT) - 03:00 AM
Canada - 3:00 AM (Toronto), 12:00 AM (Vancouver)
Brazil (Rio De Janiero) - 4:00 AM
United Kingdom (GMT) - 8:00 AM
Europe (Central European Summer Time) - 9:00 AM
Europe (Eastern European Summer Time) - 10:00 AM
Australia - 3:00 PM (Perth), 5:00 PM (Sydney)
New Zealand (Auckland) - 7:00 PM
Indonesia (Jakarta) - 2:00 PM
Philippines (Manila) - 3:00 PM
Hong Kong - 3:00 PM
Singapore - 3:00 PM
Japan (Tokyo) - 4:00 PM
South Africa (Cape Town, Central Africa Time) - 9:00 AM
India (New Delhi) - 12:30 PM
Indeed, the final episode will be a one-lucky day for the big winner. As the series holds the biggest grand prize in TV history, their life is about to change dramatically.
