Gi-hun’s death in Squid Game Season 3 was not part of the original plan, details explored

Squid Game Season 3 ended the show and Gi-hun's life, giving us an ending that is tragic, yet human. Jun-hee's newborn baby, who was born in episode two of Squid Game Season 3, became the winner after Gi-hun sacrificed his life in the final round. While one might feel upset at such a beloved character's death, what Gi-hun did makes complete sense. He made sure an innocent baby did not fall victim to the games and sacrificed himself so that she could live.

There have been mixed reactions to the show's ending, but Gi-hun's actions were undoubtedly honourable. However, the ending we saw was not how Squid Game Season 3 was originally supposed to end. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has revealed what his original plan for the ending was and why he changed it.

Squid Game Season 3 ending was not what the creator had originally planned

At the end of Squid Game Season 3, Gi-hun had to make a choice. After Myung-gi's death, Gihun realized the button was not pressed; thus, the final round had to be restarted. He would have to press the button and then decide if he would kill the baby or himself. He could also not press the button, which would kill them both.

Gi-hun, in that moment, did what he always had throughout the third season: he protected the baby. He chose death so the baby would be the winner and get the prize money, which would also ensure she has a good life, given that both her parents, Myung-gi and Jun-hee, were dead.

It was disheartening to see Gi-hun die, but his death became a metaphor for sacrificing needs and wants for the betterment of future generations. The show's ending also included the game's ending in South Korea, with In-ho's brother reaching the island and In-ho evacuating and destroying the Squid Game facility.

As Pop Base reported on X, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk spoke about the show's ending, saying,

“Back then, it was having Gi-hun end the game, in one way or another, and leave alive and go see his daughter in America. So originally, I thought the person who witnesses the American recruiter woman would be Gi-hun.”

But we know that did not happen. Gi-hun died, and In-ho, the Front Man, visited Gi-hun's daughter and was the one who saw the American recruiter. Hwang Dong-hyuk told Tudum by Netflix that the ending was changed because he needed

“both the game and Gi-hun’s journey”

to come to an appropriate end.

He also told Tudum why he chose the ending he did, saying,

“The message I wanted to communicate was that if we solely pursue our immediate self-interest, and refuse to self-restrain, sacrifice, or bear any costs — and if we don’t put our heads together — we have no future,”

Hwang continues,

“Gi-hun’s self-sacrifice to save the baby is the message we need to hear today. This character, who is thrust into the game, endures everything, and then jumps back in to end it, is the one who should deliver this message.”

Squid Game Season 3 is streaming on Netflix.

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