Squid Game, the South Korean drama that gained worldwide attention, closed its first season with many emotional and thought-provoking moments. The series followed a group of financially distressed individuals who accepted an invitation to play children’s games for a tempting reward.
However, what appeared harmless at the beginning turned into a brutal test of human nature, with only one person expected to remain at the end. By the time the final game took place, several truths had come to light and the outcome left viewers reflecting deeply on morality, desperation, and survival.
The lead character, Seong Gi-hun, moved through every stage of the brutal competition with sorrow and confusion. He began as a down-on-his-luck father who could barely afford to buy a birthday present for his daughter.
As he progressed in the game, he witnessed betrayal, sacrifice, and the worst sides of human behaviour. Although he managed to stay alive and win the prize money, the emotional weight of everything he had experienced remained heavy on him.
The end did not present a typical victory; instead, it raised more questions than answers and left viewers uncertain about what true winning meant.
Sang-woo’s final act speaks louder than any apology (Photo: Squid Game/Siren Pictures Inc.)
The Death of Sang-woo and Its Emotional Toll
One of the key moments in the final episode happened during the last game. It was played between Gi-hun and his childhood friend Cho Sang-woo, who had betrayed others during the game just to stay alive.
Although they had grown up together, their values clashed completely during the competition. Gi-hun managed to win, but he chose not to kill Sang-woo when he had the chance. Instead, he pleaded for them to end the game together and return home without the money.
Sang-woo, filled with guilt and perhaps recognising the damage he had caused, took his own life. This moment was heartbreaking. It showed how the game had stripped away their humanity, leaving behind only regret and sadness. Gi-hun’s decision to try to save Sang-woo rather than claim an easy victory reflected how much his view of life had changed since the games began.
The Identity of Player 001 and the Final Revelation
As the season came to an end, Gi-hun discovered that the old man he had grown close to during the games, known as Player 001 or Oh Il-nam, was actually the one behind the entire competition.
This came as a complete surprise because Il-nam had seemed kind and fragile throughout the games. After pretending to die during a previous round, he reappeared and explained his reasons for creating the deadly challenge.
Il-nam revealed that he and other wealthy individuals had grown bored with their lives and wanted something different to watch and bet on. They chose people who were already struggling and offered them a chance at wealth through a cruel set of games.
Il-nam claimed he joined the contest himself to relive the excitement of childhood. This explanation left a bitter taste in the mouth. It reminded viewers that those with power often fail to understand the lives of ordinary people, and even see them as toys for entertainment.
Gi-hun’s Life After the Game
Although Gi-hun returned home with a huge sum of money, his life did not become better immediately. He found out that his mother had passed away while he was away. His daughter had moved abroad with her mother and stepfather.
Even though he had won, he had lost more than he gained. The wealth did not bring him peace or comfort. He refused to spend the money for a long time, showing that the trauma from the game remained deeply rooted.
Eventually, Gi-hun seemed to regain some purpose. He met with the banker managing his account and later chose to help the brother of one of the fallen players by leaving him with Sang-woo’s mother. This showed that Gi-hun still had compassion and a sense of responsibility, even after experiencing such horror.
The Mysterious Ending and Gi-hun’s New Decision
The last few minutes of the final episode gave viewers a fresh direction. As Gi-hun prepared to board a plane to visit his daughter, he noticed someone else being invited to participate in the deadly games.
He approached the man and took the invitation card from him. Instead of continuing with his travel plan, he called the number on the card and demanded that the game’s organisers be held accountable. After making the call, he turned back, walking away from the boarding gate.
This decision showed that Gi-hun no longer wanted to be a passive observer. He wanted to act against the people behind the operation. It raised the possibility of a continuation, where he might attempt to bring down the organisation that ran the game.
The final shot did not provide a firm resolution. Instead, it set the stage for what could come next while making it clear that Gi-hun had been forever changed by his experiences.
Questions Raised by the Ending
Many people who watched the series have asked whether Gi-hun made the right choice by turning back. Some viewers believe he should have left the past behind and tried to build a new life.
The prize money means little when the soul feels empty (Photo: Squid Game/Siren Pictures Inc.)
Others feel that his desire to take a stand was brave, especially since few people who survived such a situation would dare to return. The show forced people to think about justice, responsibility, and the impact of trauma.
Also, the fact that wealthy individuals could treat the pain of others as entertainment sparked conversations around privilege and cruelty.
The show hinted at how some sections of society remain blind to the suffering of others, simply because they never have to deal with hardship themselves. That message struck a nerve and helped the show remain in conversations even after it ended.
The Place of Season 1 in Popular Culture
Squid Game Season 1 attracted attention worldwide not only because of its intense plot but also due to its bold messages about poverty, choice, and the value of life. From the red suits of the guards to the haunting music and giant robotic doll, several parts of the show have become widely recognised.
The games themselves, drawn from children’s pastimes, added a chilling twist to something familiar, making each episode feel both nostalgic and horrifying.
Actors like Lee Jung-jae, who played Gi-hun, gained global attention. The show sparked countless discussions, fan theories, and even Halloween costumes. Many schools and workplaces referenced it, and it became one of the most-watched shows on its platform.
Desperate individuals in severe debt participate in a series of children’s games with deadly consequences, all for a tempting prize.
Actor Lee Jae Wook is currently facing criticism after mentioning his past relationship with aespa’s Karina during a recent interview.
The actor, who is promoting his latest project Dear Hongrang, was asked about the dating rumors that surfaced while he was filming The Impossible Heir in 2024.
Lee Jae Wook briefly addressed the topic, sharing that it didn’t impact his focus on his work but was careful not to delve into personal details.
Lee Jae Wook and Karina confirmed their relationship in February 2024, which lasted only a few weeks before both agencies confirmed their breakup.
The relationship made headlines when Dispatch reported sightings of the couple going on late-night walks in Lee Jae Wook’s neighborhood.
However, the relationship ended quickly, and Karina even issued a public apology on Instagram following their split.
Lee Jae Wook and aespa’s Karina (Credit: YouTube)
Despite the brief nature of the relationship, Lee Jae Wook’s mention of it in the interview has sparked a backlash.
Fans of Karina, who have seen her move past the situation, expressed their frustration online.
Many believe that the actor is unnecessarily name-dropping Karina to generate publicity for his new projects.
Some fans criticized him for bringing up a topic that Karina has since chosen not to revisit, particularly since she had apologized and worked hard to move on.
One fan shared their frustration on Twitter, saying,
“He keeps allowing questions about it, still milking the clout he got from that whole mess while K has moved on completely.” Another user tweeted, “It’s been more than a year now, and if this shows anything, it’s that he didn’t care about anything other than money and a good image.”
The controversy has led fans to accuse Lee Jae Wook of being unprofessional and using his past relationship for personal gain, with many urging him to stop mentioning Karina altogether.
Fans of the idol also expressed their disappointment, claiming that despite his efforts to mention her name, it hasn’t helped his popularity.
The situation has become a topic of heated discussion, with some urging both Lee Jae Wook and the public to move on from the past and focus on his career.
