"Squid Game 3" Abandoned Its Happy Ending... Is Majority Rule Really Right? [Interview]

A Period with Season 3,
Hwang Donghyuk Says "No American Version"

Director Hwang Donghyuk, who directed "Squid Game 3," held an interview with domestic media on the 30th. Netflix

The Netflix series "Squid Game" has drawn to a close with its third season, marking the end of the saga six years after the release of Season 1 in 2021. The globally influential series concluded amid both acclaim and criticism.

Director Hwang Donghyuk, whom we met on the 30th in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, said, "This is truly my last interview," adding, "I feel relieved but also a bit wistful." He continued, "For six years, I lived without a single day passing where I didn't think about this project," and added, "I wonder if I will ever receive this much love and attention again."

Director Hwang chose Season 3 as the work he feels most attached to. He emphasized, "Everything I wanted to say is contained in Season 3."

In particular, the final game, "High-altitude Squid Game," serves as a microcosm of social structure. Director Hwang explained, "The stage, which resembles a construction site, symbolizes a society built on shaky foundations. The columns look old and ready to collapse, and the way participants push each other off mirrors the world we live in today." Behind the game arena, a cemetery bears the Latin phrase, "Today it is me, tomorrow it is you." He said, "The world operates by pushing the vulnerable out first, and the number of vulnerable people keeps increasing."

Originally, the story had a happy ending. Seong Gihun (Lee Jungjae) would win, and outside help would arrive to save him. Director Hwang said, "If I had gone with that ending, Seasons 4 and 5 could have been possible, but the world doesn't change that easily." He continued, "When I look at today's economic inequality, climate crisis, refugee issues, and the debt burden on small business owners, hope seems to be fading." He emphasized, "Ultimately, this work is a call for self-reflection. Gihun's choice is an action to prevent an impending disaster."

Myeonggi (Im Siwan) was described as "the most realistic character." Director Hwang explained, "Myeonggi's succumbing to the temptation of increasing the prize money by killing someone in the tag game represents the dilemmas we face every day. It symbolizes the growing darkness of human desire."

There was a wave of reactions expressing confusion about the choices and endings of the main characters. Regarding the scene where Geumja (Kang Aeshim) stabs her son Yongshik (Yang Donggeun), he said, "It was a choice to prevent her son from becoming a murderer after losing his mind." He added, "Ultimately, Geumja lives on with the guilt of having driven her son to death through that choice."

Hyeonju (Park Sunghoon) was defined as "a character who meets death at his most altruistic moment." Director Hwang explained, "That death was a device to create an unbridgeable divide between Myeonggi and Junhee (Jo Yuri)."

A scene from "Squid Game 3" where Myeonggi (Im Siwan) gazes into the void. Netflix

Season 3 is filled with satire about modern society. The "Safety First" banner in the final game arena points to the reality of shoddy construction and disregard for safety in Korean society. Director Hwang said, "Society claims to prioritize safety, but in the end, progress and profit come first. That is how society collapses."

The series also raises questions about democracy. Director Hwang said, "I wanted to ask whether majority rule is truly right. Even Hitler came to power through elections. Today, we live in a world dominated by AI, fake news, and populism. I began to doubt whether the majority can really make the right choices."

Director Hwang drew a clear line regarding foreign media interpreting "Squid Game" as a satire of Korean society. He said, "This is not just a Korean story. These are issues that happen anywhere in a late-capitalist society. Competition is fiercer, and life is getting harsher everywhere."

With actress Cate Blanchett appearing as the "Ddakji Man" at the end of Season 3, rumors of an American adaptation began circulating. However, Director Hwang firmly denied this, saying, "There are absolutely no plans." He explained, "Cate appeared simply as a fan in a cameo role. It was not intended as a setup for an American version."

However, he left the door open for possible spin-offs. He said, "In the scene where Director Choi has a photo of the Ddakji Man and Front Man fishing together on Captain Park's wall, many interpretations are possible. Small side stories like that could be considered, but the main story ended with Season 3."

Director Hwang is currently considering a theatrical film as his next project. He said, "I originally planned to make a theatrical film next, but the Korean theater market collapsed too quickly. Making a movie with someone else's money is essentially a promise to make a profit, and I'm not sure if I can make that promise easily."

His philosophy as a creator is also clear. He emphasized, "The most important thing is not to lose your own voice. I've seen many cases where trying to satisfy others leads to nothing."

Finally, Director Hwang said, "I am grateful for both the love and the criticism. All of this is the result of the attention and impact the work has had. I wonder if I will ever receive this kind of attention again in my life."