“Squid Game” Finale Promises Dramatic Climax, Director Hints at Spinoffs

The highly anticipated third and final season of Netflix’s global phenomenon “Squid Game” is set to deliver a dramatic and intense climax, as revealed by director Hwang Dong-hyeok and the series’ acclaimed cast at a production conference held this morning at Seoul Dragon City.

While confirming that Season 3 will definitively conclude the main narrative, Hwang also sparked excitement by hinting at the possibility of future spin-off projects within the “Squid Game” universe.

“Squid Game” Season 3, which was filmed simultaneously with Season 2, will tie up the overarching story, focusing on the ultimate fates of the remaining participants. Director Hwang emphasized the conclusion of the series’ core worldview confrontations, stating, “There are no plans to make Season 4. This is something we discussed and worked on while working on Season 3 with Netflix.” He candidly admitted that while the ending might leave viewers pondering a fourth season, “it doesn’t have to be made.”

However, Hwang surprised attendees by revealing his personal interest in exploring side stories or prequels. “I don’t have any plans to make a ‘Squid Game’ related work right now. I have other works in mind. However, if the opportunity arises, I do think about doing something like a spin-off. While making it, there were moments when I became curious. I thought, ‘What were they doing back then?’ and I wanted to dig into it, so I’m thinking about that,” he confessed, drawing significant attention to the potential for the “Squid Game” universe to expand beyond the upcoming finale.

The narrative of “Squid Game 3” centers on Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who, after losing his best friend in a failed rebellion, re-enters the deadly games with his own profound objectives. The season will also unravel the mysteries surrounding the Frontman (Lee Byung-hun), who has meticulously hidden his identity within the game’s brutal hierarchy. The central conflict will be a full-scale confrontation between these two pivotal characters.

Lee Jung Jae elaborated on his character Gi-hun’s profound transformation. “He overcomes the guilt and despair of not being able to save many people in the game room,” Lee explained. “In season 2, he thought, ‘I will stop playing games in this game room,’ and ‘I will punish the person who created it,’ but in season 3, he thinks about what more he should do in this game room. Gi-hun decides, ‘Then this is what I can do,’ and does it,” foreshadowing a determined and evolved Gi-hun.

Lee Byung Hun, who was introduced as the first contestant Young-il in Season 2 before his reveal as the Frontman, offered insights into his character’s dark motivations. “Ki-hoon is shocked when the frontman kills his best friend Jung-bae. In fact, Ki-hoon is very helpless,” Lee noted. “However, Ki-hoon regains his convictions and believes in humanity within all systems as he used to. The frontman makes another plan to destroy everything about Ki-hoon.” He continued, emphasizing the dramatic stakes, “If seasons 2 and 3 are considered one story, season 3 is the ending story in terms of introduction, development, climax, and conclusion. It can’t help but be very dramatic and intense. Season 3 is the full-scale confrontation between the frontman and Ki-hoon,” raising anticipation for a gripping conclusion.

Other cast members also shared intriguing details about their characters’ roles in the final season. Im Si-wan plays Myung-ki, a character who falls into danger due to his own trickery, while Kang Ha-neul, portraying Dae-ho, described his character’s realistic reactions to the dire circumstances. Lee Jin-wook, who plays Gyeong-seok, hinted at the unexpected survival of eliminated participants, a revelation that stirred curiosity without divulging spoilers. Park Sung-hoon discussed Hyun-joo’s unwavering righteous and altruistic nature despite a transgender transformation, promising a strong and protective presence.

Yang Dong-geun and Kang Ae-shim, who captivated audiences as a mother-son contestant duo, hinted at the challenging dynamics of their relationship within the stimulating game environment. Yang hinted at a “twist point” beyond their direct relationship, focusing on how external changes impact them, while Kang emphasized their journey to the “limit.” Jo Yu-ri, playing the pregnant Jun-hee, highlighted her character’s forthcoming physical and mental hardships, promising a display of “strong mental strength.” Chae Gook-hee, Lee Da-wit, and Noh Jae-won, playing the “Fairy” and “Thanos Family” characters respectively, also foreshadowed desperate emotional and relational transformations.

Wi Ha-joon further fueled speculation about his character Jun-ho’s quest to find his brother, the Frontman. “Please look forward to how deep Jun-ho’s emotions will become. Please watch and support him so that he can meet his brother this time. It’s so pitiful and he’s having such a hard time. When will we be able to meet him? I miss him,” he quipped, drawing laughter from the audience. Park Gyu-young shed light on her pink guard character, No-eul, explaining her minimum respect for humans and her decision to forgo confrontation with other guards, hinting at a more “intense and lonely battle” in Season 3.

Director Hwang concluded by teasing the return of nostalgic games and the introduction of new, terrifying challenges. “There’s a rope in the trailer. You trip on a high bridge and fall. There’s a game like that,” Hwang described, also hinting at a maze-like chase where participants are divided into red and blue teams, incorporating elements of hide-and-seek, tag, and guessing games. He ominously added, “Also, although it’s not shown in the trailer, the last hidden game awaits you. Please watch until the end,” ensuring viewers will be on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Squid Game 3 is scheduled for release on Netflix on June 27, 2025.