This article contains spoilers for Squid Game season 3.After theSquid Gameseries finale, even its star was shocked by Gi-hun’s fate. Lee Jung-jae (Seong Gi-hun) joinedSquid Game’s expansive castin season 1, which premiered in 2021 and captivated the world. He reprised his role in seasons 2 and 3 after Gi-hun won the first games and returned in the hopes of ending the devastation forever.
Unfortunately, Gi-hun’s rebellion proved to be a complete failure, as they were quickly stopped by the waiting soldiers. Gi-hun’s friends were killed in front of him, and he was forced to return to the games. Eventually,Gi-hun elected to sacrifice himselffor the sake of Jun-hee’s (Jo Yu-ri) baby, officially making her the winner and sole survivor.
In Netflix’s half-hourSquid Game in Conversationspecial, Lee spoke out about his character’s fate. He admitted thathe was “most curious” about Gi-hun’s fate, only to feel genuine surprise when he realized the choice that his character would make. Lee believes that it has a “religiousfeel” that sets the show apart. Check out his quote below:
You know, what I was most curious about, as I read through the script, was how it would all end. And then when I got to the last page, I saw Gi-hun’s final scene, and I was a little surprised. I… I thought, “Oh, so this is it. This is the choice he made.” I could feel Gi-hun’s state of mind. And when I look back and I think of all the different characters I’ve ever played or ever seen or read, what Gi-hun does, it almost has this religious feel to it.
What Gi-hun’s Fate Means For The Show
Gi-hun Was Squid Game’s Martyr
While the series has never been predictable, Gi-hun was always its central character. As other players died around him,he forged relationships that helped him to stop the villainsand to survive each horrifying challenge. He even managed to earnthe respect of the Front Man, who posed as a player simply to build a connection with Gi-hun.
Unfortunately, few characters could ever survive two of these games in a row, and they certainly could not do so while maintaining any moral high ground. Gi-hun wanted to prove that the games were fundamentally evil, especially once he was left with the opportunity to survive solely by murdering a baby.It was never something that Gi-hun could consent to.
Squid Gamecreator Hwang Dong-hyuk explained that Gi-hun’s sacrifice is meant to exemplify what humans should be.
Gi-hun’s decision is proof thathis “Humans are” speechwas completely correct. Humans are not horses for the VIPs to gamble on but are instead conscious people who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Though there were evil figures in the games,Gi-hun is proof of the capacity for human kindness, which only enhances the show’s themes.
Our Take On Gi-hun’s Fate
It Was Surprising But Inevitable
As devastating as it was to see Gi-hun’s death, there was never truly another path for him. He had already sworn to protect Jun-hee’s baby, and he would never have gone back on his word. Had he remembered to press the button, they might have both escaped alive, buthe still would have returned to the gamesto save more people.
Unfortunately,Gi-hun was never going to live a long lifeafter he won his first games. Saving others was the singular force that kept him moving after he witnessed the deaths of so many friends. As Lee explained, it was somewhat of a religious motivation, which partly explains why he martyred himself to stop the bloodshed.
Gi-hun was traumatized and felt a desperate need to do everything he could to save others. He entered his second game with the primary motivation of saving others. Dying to save an innocent baby perfectly fitsSquid Game’s themes, especially since it compels the Front Man to display his humanity as well.
