Squid Game ending explained

Last Modified Jan 6, 2025 21:59 EST
Squid Game ending explained
Squid Game (Source: Netflix)


The South Korean dystopian survival thriller television series Squid Game was released on September 17, 2021, on Netflix. The narrative centers on 456 severely financially affected players, who compete against each other in deadly games to win a prize money of 45.6 billion won. The title of the series originates from the Korean children's game ojingeo ("squid").


Seong Gi-hun, also known as Player 456, comes out as the winner of these deadly games taking the promised prize of 45.6 billion won. Gi-hun is a gambling addict and a divorced chauffeur. He struggles to provide for his daughter financially and lives with his mother. To pay off his many debts and show that he is financially secure enough to be granted custody of his daughter, who is scheduled to travel to the United States with her mother and stepfather, he plays the game.


Squid Game ending breakdown


After winning the whooping cash prize of 45.6 billion won, Gi-hun decides to keep going and attends to the other requests made by Sae-byeok and Sang-woo: After finding Sae-byeok's brother, he donates half of his profits to Sang-woo's mother and leaves him in her care. His daughter, his ex-wife, and her new husband move to the US while the games are going on.


Squid Game ending explained
Seong Gi-hun (Source: Screengrab from the show)


His debts have made his relationship with his daughter tense at best, but he believes that things can improve with his newfound wealth. He informs his daughter over the phone that he is going to the airport to visit her. But just as he boards the train, he hears a sound he recognizes: a ddakji striking the chilly station floor.


The salesperson (Gong Yoo), who had previously recruited Gi-hun, is playing a game with someone new when Gi-hun looks up. Gi-hun rushes over to prevent this man's fate because he knows what lies next. The prospect receives the salesman's card, which Gi-hun yanks away while shouting at him to never call. The salesman waves goodbye from a departing train.


Squid Game ending explained
Seong Gi-hun (Source: Netflix)


Gi-hun arrives at the airport, gazing at the card that would change his life. He calls just before getting on the plane and hears a voice asking for his name and birthdate once more. Gi-hun responds to the agent angrily, claiming that he is not a racehorse and that the games have angered him.


The Front Man, who is constantly on the lookout and listening to the game, answers the phone and tells him to catch his flight. Gi-hun decides not to board the plane since he has had enough of the Front Man's remarks. He looks back and dismisses catching the flight, in search of the Front Man to end the game once and for all.


Squid Game season 2 ending


Squid Game ending explained
Seong Gi-hun (Source: Netflix)


Gi-hun, some of his allies, and the Squid Game officials engage in an armed uprising in the Squid Game Season 2 finale. Since Gi-hun is unaware that Young-il is actually the Front Man, several players, including his best friend Jung-bae, end up as collateral damage. The players first believe they have a high chance of winning the rebellion because they think they might be able to take over the Squid Game arena.


However, the Front Man ensures that the rebellion fails because the game is not meant for players to win. He kills two rebels and stages Young-il's death after breaking away from the group. He then orders his men to put an end to the uprising after switching his radio to the guard frequency. The Front Man had switched from his Player 001 tracksuit to his typical black cloak and mask by the time Gi-hun and Jung-bae gave up.


This is the Front Man's chance to show Gi-hun that his "little hero games" were ultimately pointless. He kills Jung-bae by shooting him. In this manner, he will be able to teach Gi-hun that there is no hope left in the world. The Front Man finds it much more tempting to know that Gi-hun will have to live with that lesson than to murder him.


FAQs about Squid Game

In the first season of Squid Game, Gi-hun does not take his flight to the US after winning the cash prize of 45.6 billion won. He instead seeks the Front Man to put an end to the deadly games.


Player 001 is the Front Man in Squid Game season 2.


The Front Man kills Jung-bae in order to prove to Gi-hun that his “little hero games” were pointless. He finds it much more tempting to know that Gi-hun will have to live with that lesson than to murder him. 


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