'Real-Life Squid Game' Winner: 50s Vietnamese Refugee

Prize Money of About 6 Billion Won
Remaining Funds After Home Renovation to Be Donated

The winner of the real-life version of the Netflix drama sensation "Squid Game" has been revealed. The $4.56 million prize (approximately 6 billion KRW) went to a woman in her 50s who is a Vietnamese refugee.

Previously, Netflix released 10 episodes of "Squid Game: The Challenge" sequentially from the 22nd of last month to the 7th of this month. The program featured 456 participants, and the prize money increased by $10,000 each time a contestant was eliminated.

In the final episode, contestant number 287, Mai Wellan (55), defeated fellow finalists Sam (number 16) and Phil (number 451) to win. At the moment her victory was confirmed, Mai was seen covering her face with both hands in an emotional reaction.

Netflix's "Squid Game: The Challenge" winner Mai (center) poses with the two finalists she competed against until the end.
[Image source=Netflix]

After the series ended, Mai shared an update through Netflix’s online community "Toodoom." She is currently resting at home with her husband, 12-year-old granddaughter, and two pet dogs.

Mai said, "You don’t need to worry about whether I can return to a normal life. I am still Mai and haven’t changed?except that I have become stronger."

Mai confessed that the hardest part of the game was the constant need to question who was an ally and who was an enemy, which made her feel isolated. She said, "One day I would happily talk with everyone, and the next day I would think, ‘Ah, I’m not sure if I can trust that person.’ Every moment was spent waiting to be eliminated or to advance to the next game."

Mai is a Vietnamese refugee who became an American. She settled in the U.S. in 1975 and raised a child alone at the age of 19. It is reported that she endured bullying during her 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy. Since 2013, she has also worked as an immigration officer for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

She said, "No one probably expected me to win. I am a woman and a minority, but I am glad to have overcome everything at this age. Don’t be afraid?just be yourself and push through."

Mai plans to use the $4.56 million prize to repair her home and build a boat and a small dock. The remaining prize money will be donated to organizations related to people, animals, and climate change.