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Netflix’s global sensation Squid Game has officially reached its final season — and not without controversy. With viewers divided over the way the story wrapped up, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has now revealed that the series nearly ended on a very different note — one that fans say might’ve made for a more satisfying conclusion.
A Hopeful Ending That Never Made It
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Hwang shared that his original ending was far more optimistic. Instead of the sombre conclusion where Player 456, Seong Gi-hun, sacrifices his life for the new Player 222, the story was initially set to close with Gi-hun walking away from the deadly games for good.
“In the beginning, I had a vague idea about how I would end the story. And back then, it was having Gi-hun end the game, in one way or another, and leave alive and go see his daughter in America,” Hwang explained.
According to the showrunner, Gi-hun was originally meant to be the one to encounter the mysterious American recruiter — a storyline that would have wrapped up his journey on a note of personal redemption.
Why the Ending Was Changed
However, as global events continued to unfold during production, Hwang found his vision evolving. He felt the show needed to reflect a deeper message about sacrifice, society, and the personal cost of creating change.
“I was witnessing more and more what was happening around the world,” he said. “I thought it was more fitting for Gi-hun to send this powerful and impactful message to the world.”
This shift led to the emotionally heavier ending — one where Gi-hun sacrifices himself, not just for a new player, but as a symbolic gesture reflecting the show’s core critique of inequality and capitalist systems.
Mixed Reactions from Fans
While the creator’s intentions were clear, fans have been vocal about their disappointment. Some argue that the final twist felt out of place for a character who had already endured profound trauma and was seemingly focused on rebuilding his life, particularly with his daughter.
Others have embraced the finale’s open-endedness, seeing it as consistent with the show’s dark, thought-provoking tone. Still, the finale sparked a wave of online discussions, reaction videos, and memes, showing just how emotionally invested the global audience had become.
It’s worth noting that Squid Game has never shied away from bleak or controversial storytelling. Even the Season 1 ending in 2021 — which catapulted the series to worldwide fame — was met with mixed opinions.
Could There Be a US Spin-Off?
The surprise appearance of Cate Blanchett as an American recruiter in the finale’s Los Angeles sequence stirred rumours about a potential spin-off. But Hwang quickly addressed the speculation.
He clarified that her cameo wasn’t intended to tease a new storyline, but instead to underline the show’s larger message: that systemic exploitation isn’t limited to one nation.
“I didn’t end it on that note in order to deliberately leave room for further stories to happen,” Hwang told The Hollywood Reporter. “The story of Gi-hun and the Front Man in Korea is complete.”
Even so, rumours continue to circulate about a possible US version, reportedly with director David Fincher attached. Hwang responded with curiosity, saying he’d “watch it” if it came to life — but, as of now, Netflix has made no official announcement.