Large-Scale Parade at Seoul Plaza on the 28th
Director Hwang Donghyuk is speaking about the work at the production press conference for Netflix's global hit 'Squid Game' Season 3, held on the 9th at Dragon City Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
The Netflix series "Squid Game" concludes its four-year journey with the release of Season 3 on the afternoon of June 27.
Season 3 of "Squid Game" follows Gi-hun, who reenters the game with his own motives, the Front Man, who returns while hiding his identity, and the final choices and fates of those who have survived until the end.
This season is more than just a simple survival game. It poses weighty questions about human nature, the violence of majority rule, and the dignity of individuals within a system. Director Hwang Donghyuk said, "In the midst of excessive competition and desire in a late-capitalist society, along with the resulting frustration and defeat, can humanity truly create a better future?"
Director Hwang made it clear that Season 3 marks the end of the series. In an interview with Variety last year, he stated, "I am very much fed up with Squid Game," and revealed that he lost 8 to 9 teeth during the production of Season 1 and 2 more teeth while working on Season 3, indicating the toll it took on his health. Season 3 makes it explicit, through the final choice of the protagonist Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jungjae), that he will no longer participate in the game.
The universe may be expanded in the form of a spinoff. In the final episode of Season 3, the Front Man (Lee Byunghun) witnesses a game of Ddakji taking place in a back alley in Los Angeles (LA), USA. In this scene, Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett makes a surprise appearance as the "Ddakji Woman." With her blonde hair tightly tied back and dressed in a suit, she slaps her opponent's cheek hard every time she wins at Ddakji. She is also credited as "Ddakji Woman" in the ending credits.
Director Hwang explained, "I thought the female recruiter character needed to be even more impactful. We needed an actor who could dominate the screen instantly, and Cate Blanchett fulfilled that role perfectly."
This scene strongly hints at an American version of "Squid Game." In fact, foreign media outlets such as The Economic Times and Deadline have reported that Netflix is developing a spinoff titled "Squid Game: America," set in the United States, with David Fincher of "House of Cards" fame directing. While Netflix has not officially confirmed this, information about writers, casting, and production companies has been revealed through local production newsletters.
"Squid Game" has become the most successful K-content in Netflix history. Seasons 1 and 2 together surpassed 600 million cumulative views, with Season 1 ranking as the number one Netflix series of all time and Season 2 ranking third among non-English language series.
Prior to the release of Season 3, a pre-launch event for "Squid Game" was held at Domino Park in Brooklyn, New York, in June, where 1,000 fans gathered to experience the new game "Jump Rope" firsthand. During the release periods of Seasons 2 and 3, more than 66,000 people participated in offline events held in over 25 countries worldwide, with 47,000 of them actually taking part in the games.
On June 28, starting at 7:30 p.m., a large-scale street parade celebrating the series finale will take place around Seoul Plaza and Gwanghwamun Square. Iconic characters such as "Younghee" and the "Pink Guards" will appear and interact with citizens. Then, at 8:30 p.m., a fan event will be held at Seoul Plaza, attended by director Hwang Donghyuk, Lee Jungjae, Lee Byunghun, and other leading cast members.
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