Squid Game’s third season has left many fans unsatisfied, especially with how the story ended for main character Gi-hun. The finale received criticism for leaving storylines unfinished and for Gi-hun’s ultimate fate, which some viewers felt lacked meaning.
Speaking recently to The Hollywood Reporter, series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed he once had a different idea for the show’s conclusion. Originally, Hwang imagined Gi-hun would survive the game and finally go to see his daughter in America.
According to Hwang, Gi-hun was supposed to witness the American recruiter—a callback to the first season—and choose to move on with his life, leaving the cycle of violence behind.
However, Hwang changed the ending during the writing phase, deciding that Gi-hun needed to send a powerful message to the world. This led to the final version, where Gi-hun sacrifices himself to save a baby, a choice many fans felt was unnecessary since the Coast Guard’s arrival would have ended the game anyway.
Fans and critics alike believe the original ending idea would have been a more satisfying way to close out Gi-hun’s story. It would have mirrored the tough choices he faced in season one, giving a stronger sense of closure.
Squid Game season 3 ended with a low 50% audience score, compared to season 1’s much higher ratings. There is still uncertainty about the show’s future, with talk of a prequel or a possible American spin-off.
For now, many viewers agree that the series might have ended better had the original ending been used.
