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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Squid Game 3' finale: From Gi Hun's fate to surprise Hollywood star cameo, here's a rewind of the most memorable moments
The final season of Squid Game concludes with Gi Hun's sacrifice and the Front Man's escape, hinting at a global expansion of the deadly games. Unresolved arcs and a polarizing finale leave fans divided, while subtle clues suggest deeper layers to the story. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Is Gi Hun Truly Free or Forever Trapped? The Front Man's Fate: A Silent Escape Hidden Messages and Symbolism Litter the Season Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Who Is Pulling the Strings Now? Jun Ho's Investigation Ends in Ashes What Happened to the VIPs? Cate Blanchett's Shocking Cameo Is a Squid Game Spin-Off on the Horizon? Here's What We Know The third and final season of Squid Game premiered on June 27, drawing the curtains on one of Netflix 's most talked-about shows. Led by powerhouse actors Lee Jung Jae and Lee Byung Hun , the Korean psychological thriller appears to have concluded its main narrative, though whispers of a spin-off, particularly an American version, linger. Directed once again by Hwang Dong Hyuk , the final installment has stirred polarizing some admired the bold storytelling, many long-time fans expressed disappointment over unresolved arcs and a finale that seemingly unraveled Gi Hun's hard-fought journey. The show remained consistent in its grim message—humanity's moral decay when placed under pressure—though victory came with little emotional some holding onto faint theories about Gi Hun's possible survival, the story made it clear—his chapter has ended. His emotional arc concluded with a tragic sacrifice as he chose death rather than taking an innocent life. His final stand was aimed at confronting the system—he died on his own terms, declaring that humans are not commodities. Although Gi Hun's death feels final, it's also a catalyst, likely igniting the next chapter in a tangled and dark universe. His moral stand may be the spark that lights new final scenes showed In Ho—known as the Front Man—triggering the island's destruction before fleeing with Jun Hee's infant. Months later, he resurfaces in Los Angeles and is seen near Gi Hun's family. While Jun Ho's mission to stop him failed, In Ho remains a looming threat. His journey is far from over. Hints suggest that his next plan may be connected to expanding the deadly games on a global level, a storyline likely to unfold in future the episodes, subtle hints suggested deeper layers of the story. Latin inscriptions like 'hodie mihi, cras tibi' (today me, tomorrow you) reminded viewers that danger looms for all. Cryptic Korean phrases like 'Beware of people, idiot' pointed to betrayals. The chillingly ironic 'safety first' written in the final round added bitter irony. Player 456's timer pausing at 4:56 moments before elimination and a mysterious binder skipping players all hinted that more is yet to be Oh Il Nam gone and In Ho escaping, leadership of the game seems to be changing hands. A mysterious woman—portrayed by Cate Blanchett—makes her debut at the end, recruiting players in the U.S. through the familiar Ddakji game. This shadowy figure hints at a new organization operating from another part of the world. The Korean branch may be closed, but the global operation appears far from years of chasing shadows, Detective Jun Ho finally uncovered the truth and identified key figures. However, before he could take meaningful action, the Front Man ordered the island's destruction. Though Jun Ho and Na Eul escaped, they couldn't prevent the erasure of evidence. Yet, Na Eul may have discovered a lead strong enough to change everything—perhaps forming the heart of a future elite gamblers who watched the carnage unfold seem to have walked away untouched. As the world crumbled, they remained unfazed, sipping luxury drinks. Their disappearance suggests they're still protected—highlighting the seemingly untouchable nature of this elite class, shielded by their wealth and most searched aspect of Season 3 is Cate Blanchett's surprise role. Her appearance in the final scene—slapping down a Ddakji card in LA—suggests she's the next recruiter and that the Game now spans borders. This cryptic moment sets the stage for an American a strong likelihood that the Squid Game universe will expand with a spin-off, and all signs point in that direction. The final moments of Season 3 dropped a major clue—Cate Blanchett appeared in a surprise role, portraying a new recruiter involved in the sinister games. Her brief but impactful presence hinted that the deadly operation may now move from South Korea to the United States, setting the stage for a fresh chapter of horror and psychological warfare in a new geographical and cultural speculation gains further weight from earlier remarks made by actor Lee Byung Hun, who plays the enigmatic and chilling Front Man. During a previous appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Lee suggested that a new series centered around his character could be in the works. He didn't reveal much but hinted that there's more to explore in the Front Man's dark and mysterious these breadcrumbs in place, it appears the future of Squid Game could follow one of two exciting directions: either we delve deeper into the complex life of the Front Man and the evolution of his role within the organization, or the narrative picks up in a different part of the world, likely the U.S., where the games could continue under new leadership, with Lee Byung Hun possibly reprising his role in a global expansion of the franchise.
The Review Geek
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Squid Game – K-drama Season 3 Episode 5 Recap & Review
Episode 5 Episode 5 of Squid Game Season 3 begins with No-eul entering the base via a vent. Gi-hun returns to the bunker and tries to kill the rest of the players, starting with Player 100. While In-ho watches, it cuts to a flashback of his game. Old Man aka Chairman Oh makes In-ho the same offer. And while he is shaken, In-ho kills the remaining 5 members. At present, Gi-hun stops after he hallucinates Sae-byeok. Trouble is afoot for those on the sea. The pursuit team gets closer to 246 by tracking his boat. Jun-ho keeps searching for the island and In-ho finally radios him. He tells Jun-ho to stop or he will die. Jun-ho refuses. No-eul sneaks into the Officer's room and makes him delete the digital records of 246. Before she can kill him, he reveals that there is a hard copy but only he and the Frontman have access to the archives. Once they are in the elevator, he attacks. They reach the floor but lose the gun in the elevator. The Officer wonders if No-eul has feelings for 246. She reveals that she is doing it for his daughter. We learn that her daughter died in North Korea. The Officer reveals that he is partial to her not because of their shared hometown but because he too lost a loved one. He stabs her and lazily follows as she crawls. While he monologues, she reaches the elevator and shoots him with the abandoned gun. The final game is Sky Squid Game with 3 rounds. The players need to push one or more alive players off a tower to move to the next round. Round 1 begins on a square tower. If they do not eliminate anyone within 15 minutes, everyone will be killed. Each tower has a button they need to press to start the timer and the round. Unable to decide on which Red Team member to kill, the Blue Team agrees to be democratic and vote on their victims. But there is one problem – they need to separate Gi-hun and the baby, so they have 3 targets for all 3 rounds. Myung-gi suggests killing Min-su first to get it over with. Min-su doesn't make it easy but Myung-gi takes out the pole in the middle of the tower and pushes him off. Min-su hallucinates Se-mi and apologises to her before falling to his death. No-eul looks for 246's file in the archive and finally finds it. The players move to the second tower. Gi-hun realises that he has the upper hand as he sets up base on the edge. If the Blue Team kills him and the child now, they will have to pick among themselves for the last round. As the team frets, the hyper 203 starts the timer and Round 2 begins. He insists that Gi-hun will pick his own life over the kid but the rest know that 203 is wrong. Frustrated, 203 gets violent. Myung-gi interjects with an idea. On the sea, the pursuit team finds 246 and shoots at him. He shoots back but he soon runs out of bullets. Before they can kill him, Jun-ho finds them and kills the pursuit team. Back to the game, the Blue Team plays Rock, Paper, Scissors and the loser tries to convince Gi-hun that they will draw lots on who to kill. All they need is for him to join them in the center of the pillar (where they plan to grab the child from him). If he refuses, Plan B is for the loser to grab the child while Myung-gi pushes off Gi-hun with the pole. Unsurprisingly, Gi-hun refuses to move and the loser attacks. But Myung-gi pushes off the loser. Everyone is shocked and Myung-gi tries to convince Gi-hun that he is the child's father. The Blue Team thinks he is lying but Gi-hun recalls Myung-gi trying to help Jun-hee in the jump rope game. Seeing that Myung-gi has the pole and Gi-hun has the knife, the Blue Team suggests drawing lots for real. As the two hesitate, the team suddenly betrays their own member, Player 39 and breaks his leg. They offer to kill 39 in the next round but Gi-hun refuses, wanting to play fair. Having had enough, 203 and another player attack him. After a scuffle, Gi-hun and Myung-gi kill them. Player 100 is nervous as he tries to agree to whatever Gi-hun wants. However, Myung-gi pushes him off, citing that the prized money has just increased. Gi-hun doesn't look happy but it gets worse as 39 decides to kill himself. Gi-hun and Myung-gi try to stop him but he refuses to be anyone's pawn. He jumps off and the round ends. Only Gi-hun, Myung-gi and the baby remain at the end of Squid Game Season 3 Episode 5. The Episode Review It is always Myung-gi taking it too far, isn't it? With the crypto, with the Hide and Seek game and now with killing Player 100. If he hadn't been greedy, it wouldn't have come down to him, his kid, and Gi-hun. Great work, Myung-gi! Squid Game Season 3 Episode 5 is a pretty good penultimate episode, otherwise too. No-eul finally goes head-to-head with the Officer and we learn a whole lot about her. Their dynamic is also explained as they not only know each other from before, but they have a closer bond due to their shared experiences of losing a loved one. Jun-ho makes some headway too and we can rejoice. It only took the poor guy two seasons, 12 episodes and a couple of years in the Squid Game world. We do wish the show had left some more important characters for the final game. Killing Min-su and then the rest of the Blue Team did not pack the emotional punch as Season 1's penultimate episode. It also made Gi-hun and Myung-gi's survival predictable, as no way the final showdown would consist of inconsequential characters like Player 100. Previous Episode Next Episode (coming soon) Expect A Full Season Write-Up When This Season Concludes!
Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Squid Game 3 ending: 7 burning questions answered in Netflix thriller finale; future possibilities explored
Squid Game wrapped with Season 3 dropping on June 27. The Lee Byung Hun, Lee Jung Jae-led Korean thriller may not return for another season, but it hints at a spin-off, possibly an American one. Since the finale aired, Hwang Dong Hyuk's direction has drawn mixed reactions, with many fans let down by how things ended, especially some characters who felt completely pointless and Gi Hun's fate undoing everything he fought for. The tagline teased how low humanity can sink, and sure enough, survival came at a brutal cost. We got a winner, yes, but not much closure. So here we are, breaking down all the loose ends that still need answers. Also read: Squid Game Season 3 ending explained: The truth about Gi Hun's fate, the mystery woman, and all survivors While some viewers are still holding on to theories that Gi Hun might be alive, there's no real possibility. The core message of the show has already been delivered. The economic divide, the dehumanisation, and Gi Hun's final words, 'We are not horses. We are humans'. were aimed at those enjoying these brutal games, using people as pawns for their entertainment. He makes the ultimate sacrifice in the final round, choosing to throw himself off the tower rather than kill the newborn. But yes, it's safe to say his sacrifice will trigger another story, a fresh web of entanglements. Because nothing really ends here. In the final moments, we see In Ho, aka the Front Man, ordering the island's self-destruction and escaping with Jun Hee's newborn. Cut to a few months later, he's spotted in LA, visiting Gi Hun's family. So yes, Front Man survived and vanished. Jun Ho failed. But what's loud and clear is this: In Ho isn't done. His next move, possibly tied to a global expansion of the Game, is already being teased. Also read: Squid Game Season 3 review: Brutal games and bigger moral dilemmas make you pause and reflect The Latin phrase 'hodie mihi, cras tibi' ('today it's me, tomorrow it will be you'), the words written on the dormitory walls, sugegsting, the game is far from over. Korean writing '사람 조심 바보' ('Beware of people, idiot') teasing player 333 betrayal '안전 제일' ('safety first') was ironically written at the final game. Player 456's game timer reads '4:56' just before Gi Hun manages to eliminate the other player. The 'blacklist players' binder that No-eul skips, hinting that more is yet to come. The original mastermind, Oh Il Nam, is long gone. The Front Man, once a winner himself, now runs the show. In Ho survives Season 3, and as the story gears up for a spin-off, a new player steps in. Cate Blanchett's mystery woman is seen recruiting new players, playing Ddakji, hinting at a new organisation pulling the strings. Meanwhile, operations in South Korea have shut down. After 2 years of digging through islands, Detective Jun Ho finally tracked down the betrayer, Captain Park, and landed on the right one, just as the game wrapped up. But before he could act, Jin Ho gave the order to blow up the island and bailed. Jun Ho and No-eul made it out, but the entire Korean operation went up in smoke, with the Front Man wiping out every trace. So, yeah, the authorities failed again. Still, with spin-offs teased, Na Eul might've already cracked open a lead that changes everything. They appear to have evaded justice for the most part. We saw the VIPs enjoying the deaths and betting on contestants, but towards the end, it seems like they managed to escape. Unconcerned about being caught, they were seen gulping down drinks, which shows continued power and the difficulty of exposing such a powerful, clandestine organisation. There is a big possibility, and it makes sense, given Cate Blanchett's role was a treasure in the very last part as a recruiter, suggesting the operations will now be shifted to America. Earlier, in an interview with talk show host Jimmy Fallon, actor Lee Byung Hun, who plays the Front Man, teased a possibility of a spin-off featuring his character. So either we get that, or the story shifts oversees with Lee continuing his role.
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Lee Jung Jae, Lee Byung Hun's Squid Game Season 3: Release date, when and where to watch on OTT, cast, what to expect, more
After hooking audiences worldwide with its chilling portrayal of survival, Netflix's global sensation Squid Game is back one last time. The highly anticipated third season, which also serves as the grand finale to the series, premieres June 27, 2025, on Netflix. Season 3 arrives barely six months after the release of its emotionally charged second season. This time, Netflix is staying true to its binge-watch tradition. All six episodes will be released simultaneously, giving viewers the chance to experience the final chapter without pause. Who's returning for the finale? The final season sees Lee Jung Jae reprising his lead role as Gi Hun. His evolution from a desperate debt-ridden man to a reluctant revolutionary has anchored the entire series. Joining him are familiar faces that fans have come to love (and fear): Lee Byung Hun returns as In Ho. He's the enigmatic and fearsome Front Man whose allegiance and motives have been key to the game's continuation. Wi Ha Joon returns as Jun Ho, the determined detective whose search for answers now brings him closer than ever to the truth. Rounding out the main cast are Im Si Wan, Kang Ha Neul, Park Sung Hoon, Park Gyu Young, Jo Yu Ri, Kang Ae Sim, Yang Dong Geun, Lee David and Roh Jae Won. Fans can also look forward to special appearances by Gong Yoo and Lee Jin Wook. What to expect from finale The third season picks up immediately following the chaotic and heartbreaking conclusion of Season 2. The rebellion Gi Hun spearheaded in an effort to dismantle the Squid Game from the inside ends in devastating failure. Though the uprising nearly reached the heart of the operation, it was ultimately crushed. The Front Man, secretly embedded within the game as Player 001, ruthlessly shut it down. In a final, brutal act of betrayal, Gi Hun's closest friend, Jung Bae (played by Lee Seo Hwan), was killed. It sends Gi Hun spiraling into grief and despair. But in the world of the Squid Game, there is no time to mourn. The game continues, colder and more dangerous than ever. As Season 3 begins, Gi-hun is emotionally broken, but the stakes have only gotten higher. New games will be introduced, each more psychologically intense and physically punishing than the last. Gi Hun must make harrowing choices not just for survival, but for the hope of ending the game once and for all. Meanwhile, In Ho will be resuming his role as the ever-composed Front Man. He will oversee the arrival of new VIPs, mysterious figures with dangerous influence. But not all is calm behind the scenes. Jun Ho, still alive and on the chase, inches closer to the secret island, unaware that a traitor may be working within his ranks. The end of a global phenomenon Squid Game debuted in 2021 and quickly became a global cultural event. Its commentary on capitalism, desperation, and moral decay struck a chord worldwide. Its unique format of deadly childhood games redefined survival storytelling. From Halloween costumes to Emmy wins and viral challenges, Squid Game became more than just a show; it became a movement. Set your alarms, prepare your theories, and maybe keep a box of tissues nearby. On June 27, Squid Game returns for one final round, and this time, there are no second chances.
