'Squid Game' Final Season: Symbol of Hope or Cynical Conclusion? Fans Divided
he lead actor sees hope, but fans remain deeply conflicted.
Netflix’s Squid Game wrapped its third and final season with an ending that caught even star Lee Jung-jae off guard. Gi-hun faces an impossible decision: sacrifice a newborn to win the deadly game or give up himself. In the end, the baby survives thanks to the Front Man, who later contacts Gi-hun’s daughter in the US, passing on her late father’s prize money.
Lee told Variety: "I was very shocked too, because it was not something I had expected to see. I remember speaking a lot about this ending with Director Hwang... he did think of other endings. He also shared with me that I shouldn’t look at Gi-hun’s sacrifice as just simply a sacrifice itself, but something that symbolizes hope for humanity."
Hope, Sacrifice, and a Daughter’s Future
Lee hopes Gi-hun’s daughter will one day dismantle the corrupt system, but personally wishes she never learns the painful truth about her father:
"I just wish she would live a very happy and stable life with her stepdad and mom," the actors states.
Reddit Reacts: Hope, Cynicism, and the Harsh Truths
Reddit fans didn’t hold back sharing their thoughts on the finale. One user passionately reminded everyone of the brutal reality Squid Game has always shown:
"I can’t believe some people are ranting about the ‘unnecessary deaths’ in Season 3… like, have you even watched Seasons 1 and 2?! That’s literally how the game works. It’s brutal, senseless, and exploitative — that’s the point!"
They pointed out the massive cash prize means little to the ultra-rich VIPs running the games:
"1.7 billion won is ‘just about a million dollars' — pocket change to ‘people like them.' The games will go on as long as there’s a divide between the desperate poor and billionaires treating human suffering like a sport."
Yet, despite all this, the baby’s survival stood as a powerful symbol — a reminder that hope can still flicker in even the darkest places.
On the flip side, some viewers weren’t so forgiving. One bluntly declared:
"I’m shocked so many are defending a season the creators clearly didn’t intend to make, that ended up going nowhere."
Others took it further:
"That’s the point — NOTHING mattered because in the end, good doesn’t win. Capitalism does. Good doesn’t win, money and power do."
"If that’s the case, just have Gi-hun yeet the baby off the cliff and become the new Front Man."
Still, some viewers perceived a deeper message within the finale. They felt the creators were encouraging audiences to hold on to hope and resist becoming pawns for the powerful, even when circumstances might push one into compromising roles.
On the other hand, there were those who rejected the ending’s intended message altogether, arguing that it rendered the entire three-season buildup meaningless. For them, the conclusion felt like a disappointing letdown rather than a meaningful statement.
Final Thoughts: A Divisive End to a Cultural Phenomenon
The Squid Game finale sparked passionate debate, balancing themes of hope and harsh reality. Whether seen as a symbol of resilience or a cynical commentary on power, its impact is undeniable — leaving fans both reflecting and divided.
