The prize money in Squid Game is a staggering 45.6 billion won, which sounds like an astronomical amount. But how much is that in U.S. dollars?
The show, which returns for its second season on December 26, 2024, revolves around 456 contestants risking their lives in deadly games for a chance to win this massive prize.
With each player who dies, an additional 100 million won is added to the pot, making the prize even more enticing — and deadly.
As of December 2024, 45.6 billion won is worth approximately 31.8 million USD. That’s enough money to completely change someone’s life, moving them into the ranks of the wealthy elite.
For many of the contestants, like Kang Sae-byeok from Season 1, the prize represents a chance to escape dire circumstances and provide a better future for their families.
For those outside the U.S., the prize is worth about:
- 25 million U.K. pounds
- 30.4 million euros
- 45.2 million Canadian dollars
- 50 million Australian dollars
While the prize may seem life-changing, the show also highlights the moral and ethical dilemma of risking everything for money.
After all, each death in the game adds to the prize pot, and 100 million won (roughly 70,000 USD) is a small amount compared to the value of a human life.
This stark contrast is a central theme of the series, which critiques the ruthlessness of capitalism.
In the real world, Squid Game‘s prize money is a reminder of the high stakes involved in the competition — and the true cost of winning.
