Netflix’s Korean drama Squid Game concluded its first season with a finale that was both intense and tragic, leaving viewers anticipating the next installment. The series explores the deadly consequences of extreme inequality and the moral dilemmas faced by those struggling for survival. Its storytelling, reminiscent of other survival thrillers like The Hunger Games and Battle Royale, balances suspenseful action with a critique of societal greed, making the finale both emotionally gripping and thought-provoking.
The story centers on Seong Gi-hun, a divorced and financially struggling man who becomes a participant in the Squid Game tournament. Throughout the season, viewers follow his desperate attempts to win the deadly games and escape crippling debt. By episode nine, “One Lucky Day,” Gi-hun faces his childhood friend, Cho Sang-woo, in the final showdown. Both men are deeply indebted and motivated by survival, with a grand prize of 45.6 billion won (around $38 million USD) at stake. Their personal histories and moral conflicts make the confrontation emotionally compelling.
The last game, which gives the series its name, is a physical and strategic challenge. One player is offensive while the other is defensive. Gi-hun, on offense, must reach the squid’s head while Sang-woo tries to stop him. As the game progresses, the intensity escalates, with the VIP spectators observing the brutal contest with detached fascination. The finale’s tension comes not only from the physical stakes but also from the ethical and emotional complexity of two friends competing against each other.
Park Hae-soo as Cho Sang-woo (Squid Game Season 1/Netflix)Gi-Hun’s Mercy, Jun-Ho’s Fate, And Il-Nam’s True Role Revealed Finally
During the final confrontation, Gi-hun gains the upper hand but chooses mercy, reflecting his moral integrity despite the life-and-death stakes. He offers Sang-woo a chance to leave, but Sang-woo refuses and takes his own life. His decision stems from guilt over the lives lost in the tournament and an unwillingness to face his mother empty-handed. Gi-hun becomes the ultimate winner, but the victory is bittersweet, highlighting the psychological and moral toll of the games.
Police officer Hwang Jun-ho infiltrates the Squid Game as a guard to gather evidence and expose the tournament. After confronting the Front Man, revealed to be his missing brother, Jun-ho is shot and falls off a cliff into the ocean, leaving his fate uncertain. Actor Wi Ha-joon is confirmed to return in season 2, suggesting Jun-ho may have survived or will appear in flashbacks. His unresolved storyline adds suspense and sets up potential plotlines for the next season.
Another major twist comes with Oh Il-nam, an elderly contestant who is revealed as the creator of the Squid Games. Presumed dead earlier in the tournament, Il-nam orchestrates the games as a pastime for the wealthy elite, bored with their lives despite immense wealth. His dual role as both a participant and mastermind recontextualizes the games as a commentary on the indifference of the rich and the desperation of the poor.
Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun (Squid Game Season 1/Netflix)Il-Nam’s Final Bet And Gi-Hun’s Choice Set Up Revenge-Filled Season Two
In their final conversation, Il-nam engages Gi-hun in a moral bet involving a homeless man’s survival in the cold. The wager serves as a metaphor for the series’s broader themes, contrasting the indifference of the wealthy with the empathy of those who struggle to survive. Gi-hun proves the bet wrong when someone eventually helps the man, reinforcing his moral strength and offering commentary on human compassion. Il-nam dies before witnessing the outcome, leaving the lesson lingering for Gi-hun and viewers.
The finale closes with Gi-hun refusing to board a plane to see his daughter, instead confronting the Front Man and preparing for revenge. This sets the stage for season 2, with Gi-hun determined to uncover and challenge the organizers of the deadly games. His defiance against the Front Man promises a narrative centered on justice, retaliation, and further exploration of the moral and social themes introduced in the first season.
Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk considered an alternate ending where Gi-hun simply leaves on the plane, concluding the story as a miniseries. However, he opted for a cliffhanger ending to maintain thematic depth and enable the continuation of the series. Hwang believed that the moral questions posed by the first season could only be fully explored if Gi-hun stayed, turning away from personal happiness to confront systemic corruption. This choice ensures that the story continues with both narrative momentum and ethical complexity in season 2.
