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Geek Vibes Nation
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Squid Game' Season 3 Review: A Short, Bitter Farewell To A Pop Culture Giant
When Squid Game first premiered in 2021, it took over the internet. While the idea of the show wasn't anything unique – movies like Battle Royale and the Hunger Games franchise have similar concepts – it succeeded in its delivery in a way other stories hadn't. You couldn't go to a single convention or Halloween party that year without seeing green tracksuits and masked guards. Even Mr. Beast got on the trend! Squid Game' Season 3 is a brief, emotional finale that closes the chapter on one of the biggest pop culture sensations of the decade. At just six episodes, Season 3 is noticeably shorter than its predecessors—Season 1 ran nine episodes, and Season 2 spanned seven. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk previously stated that these episodes were supposed to be one season, but were split into a 2nd and 3rd season due to the episode count (source). This is why season 3 really doesn't feel like season 3 – it takes place literally right after season 2. And because there's only 6 episodes, it feels like there was a lot that wasn't fleshed out, or moments that weren't given room to breathe. Despite its narrative shortcomings, the cast once again delivers outstanding work. Lee Jung-jae returns as Gi-hun, bringing a raw, haunted intensity that makes his tragic arc land even when the writing stumbles. Newer players like Park Sung-hoon and Jo Yu-ri shine in morally gray roles, illustrating how quickly compassion erodes in the face of survival. Well, you should have ended it at season 1. Just like Netflix's Queen's Gambit, season one of Squid Game was perfect and could have lived as a singular season. It told the story it needed to and it ended wonderfully – adding Gi-hun at the airport at the end was certainly not necessary, but even if that scene remained, you could have left the rest to the viewer's imagination. Season one forced viewers to reconsider the cost of economic disparity and the twisted games the system plays on ordinary people. Season 3 simply felt like the very greed and capitalism that season 1 criticized. It shouldn't be understand how season three does dilute this brilliant masterpiece. Granted, season 2 was enjoyable and at that point, you needed more to really tie things up. In my season two review, I praised the second season for complimenting the intensity of season 1. It's something I stand by today. However, after looking at season 3 and how it ends, especially with what it promises; I'm left wishing it ended with season 1. Gi-hun's arc concludes in a moment of grim self-sacrifice, destroying the game from within rather than surviving it one more time. It's a harrowing end that speaks to the show's inherent cynicism—a worldview that insists some systems are too corrupt to fix from the inside. But Netflix is not quite done. As mentioned earlier, it looks like the show is going for the MCU effect in building up their world – something that it feels like their show is criticizing. It's been teased in the past that we're getting an American version, but I also didn't believe it until Cate Blanchett showed up. Do we really need this? Oh, Hollywood, how you never fail to absolutely squeeze every last drop you can out of a previously perfectly devised story. This review has felt more negative than originally intended. In the end, Squid Game is a great show. Personally, I love this show, and we cannot deny the cultural significance that season one had. Gi-hun is the standout in season three and it should be applauded that the show really leans into darker themes this season, and in the end, is bold in where they took Gi-hun's story. And while we don't know if the American version will hit the same way as the South Korean version (guarantee it won't), we'll still look upon the work the writers and actors did in bringing us Squid Game, and I don't think anyone will look at any of these beloved childhood games the same way again.
Geek Tyrant
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
The Creator of SQUID GAME Lost 10 Teeth While Shooting The Series; and He Hasn't "Put Them Back in Yet" — GeekTyrant
Squid Game series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk recently revealed that the production of the series has taken a physical toll on him as he lost a lot of freakin' teeth! While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Hwang talked about shooting Season 3 and confessed: 'I thought it was going to be okay, but this time I had to pull out two more teeth as well. I had to pull out about eight teeth in season 1, and now I have two teeth more out, and I haven't put them back in yet. So I'm waiting for them.' That's a total of ten teeth sacrificed at the altar of deadly children's games, existential dread, and masked game masters. What the hell!? Was he so streessed out that his teeth were just falling out of his head! This is a nightmare that I have, for real! While most people lose sleep over work stress, Hwang seems to lose molars. I guess this shows just how much pressure he's under to deliver a finale worthy of the cultural juggernaut he created. Season 3 will bring the mainline series to a close, but Hwang's not ruling out the possibility of a spin-off. He explained: 'If I make [a] spin-off, it will be a story happening between season 1 and 2. There [was] a three years gap between season 1 and 2. So, I want to show what they did for those times.' As for what lies ahead, Netflix's official synopsis reads: 'Gi-hun, a.k.a. Player 456, [is] at his lowest point yet. But the Squid Game stops for no one, so Gi-hun will be forced to make some important choices in the face of overwhelming despair as he and the surviving players are thrust into deadlier games that test everyone's resolve.' And if that's not enough to rattle you, series star Lee Jung-jae warned fans at Netflix Tudum 2025 that the new season will 'shock the world one last time.' Squid Game Season 3 hits Netflix on June 27. Here's hoping Hwang gets some well-earned rest… and a good dentist.
CNET
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
Squid Game Creator Unveils Scrapped Ending Fans Are Calling Better Than the Original
Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has revealed that season 3 almost had an enormously different ending -- an ending that might have gone over better with fans who are still divided over how the hit series wrapped. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Hwang said he originally wrote an ending where Player 456, Seong Gi-hun, leaves the deadly games behind for good. That's a huge contrast to the version that actually aired, in which Gi-hun sacrifices his life in the end for the new Player 222. Hwang shared that his original plan for the Netflix series was far more hopeful. Gi-hun, the show's main character, would have ended the game, left alive and reunited with his daughter in the US. "In the beginning, I had a vague idea about how I would end the story. And 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," Hwang said. "So originally, I thought the person who witnesses the American recruiter woman would be Gi-hun." But over time, Hwang said the story evolved as he reflected on current events and the show's larger message. "I was witnessing more and more what was happening around the world," he said, and ultimately decided that Gi-hun's sacrifice should carry a heavier meaning. "I thought it was more fitting for Gi-hun to send this powerful and impactful message to the world," Hwang explained, adding that the darker ending was meant to reflect the urgent sacrifices needed in today's world to secure a better future. Read also: How to Watch Squid Game Season 3 on Netflix Audience reactions to the season 3 finale It's a choice that didn't sit well with a big chunk of the Squid Game fanbase. Some felt the final twist betrayed Gi-hun's character arc, especially after he spent two seasons suffering immense trauma and appearing to prioritize his family's safety. Others found it too bleak and open-ended, sparking passionate discussions -- and plenty of memes -- online. This isn't the first time a Squid Game finale has stirred controversy. When Season 1 premiered in 2021, the series became a global phenomenon almost overnight, smashing Netflix records and turning its bleak social commentary into must-watch television. But even then, the final episodes left fans divided. Now, Hwang's ending is fueling speculation about whether the show's final season will actually set up for a US spin-off show. Talk of a possible US spin-off Hwang emphasized that Cate Blanchett's surprise cameo as an American recruiter in the Los Angeles finale wasn't meant to set up a future spin-off, but rather to underline a broader thematic point. He clarified to The Hollywood Reporter that he "didn't end it on that note in order to deliberately leave room for further stories to happen," explaining that the storyline for Gi‑hun and the Front Man in Korea truly came to a close. He said that the American recruiter scene was crafted to symbolize the enduring nature of capitalist systems. That said, Hwang acknowledged rumors of a David Fincher–linked American version and said he'd watch it if it was made, but as of now, there's no official confirmation from Netflix. Season 3 smashes Netflix records Despite flak for the finale, the final season of Squid Game shattered launch records across the globe. The season garnered 60.1 million views in just three days, making it Netflix's biggest-ever TV series debut on the platform. That translates to 368.4 million hours watched over the same 72-hour span. The show became the ninth most-watched non‑English Netflix season of all time, while seasons 1 and 2 remain in the top two slots. Also, season 3 debuted at No. 1 in all 93 countries that report Netflix Top 10 metrics, which is an unprecedented feat. Read more: Netflix Review: Our Top Pick in a Sea of Streaming Choices
Gizmodo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
‘Squid Game: The Challenge' Is Getting a Third Season Because Capitalism Is Inevitable
The fictional Squid Game as we know it is over—for now, at least—but Netflix would like you to remember that it has an offshoot reality competition that's still very much active. On the heels of announcing that Squid Game: The Challenge season two will drop November 4, the streamer has also let it be known it's now accepting applications for season three. The first season of Squid Game: The Challenge weathered its share of controversy; not only did its very existence fly in the face of the fictional series' anti-capitalist themes, but some participants emerged with complaints about harsh and injury-prone working conditions. However, it proved to be a smash hit for the streamer, riding the coattails of Hwang Dong-hyuk's blockbuster sensation to ratings glory. Naturally, it was renewed, because even if Hwang can't be lured back for more, Netflix can keep milking Squid Game's cultural relevance with this spin-off of its own creation. Unlike the original series, players don't actually die if they fail in The Challenge—our real-life dystopia isn't quite there… yet—though the games are modeled after what's seen in the show. The teaser for season two suggests certain inspiration from Squid Game season two, particularly the harrowing six-legged race. The top prize in The Challenge is $4.56 million, which is quite a bit less than the fictional prize (456 billion won, as seen in the original series, is worth around $38 million). Still, that ain't chump change; a press release from Netflix notes that 81,000 people applied ahead of season one, with 456 (obviously) making the final cut. To learn how to toss your hat in for season three, check out the casting page here. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘Squid Game' Season 3: 15 Things To Know About The Netflix Show
Jump rope game featuring Cheol-su and Young-hee (Squid Game season 3) Two weeks after the release of Squid Game season 3, the world still can't stop talking about the final installment of Netflix's biggest show ever. Squid Game season 3 is currently the most popular show on Netflix globally and the streamer's third most watched non-English show of all time, behind only the first two seasons of Squid Game. (It's also worth noting that as of this writing, all three seasons of Squid Game occupy the top three spots on Netflix's weekly Global Top 10 list of the most watched non-English shows.) The final season picks up right where season 2 left off, with the deadly games resuming after Seong Gi-hun's failed rebellion and Hwang Jun-ho continuing his search for the elusive island. This season features new and even grislier games, plenty of shocking plot twists and nail-biting moments, and yes, the return of the VIPs. Although the show's creator, writer and director Hwang Dong-hyuk crafted a narrative that is both compelling and easily accessible, this season—like its predecessors—contains various cultural references, nuances, hidden meanings and other Easter eggs that can further enrich the overall viewing experience if understood. Below are 15 things you might have missed while watching Squid Game season 3. (Note that some of these examples require the viewer to have watched the series in the original Korean dialogue with subtitles—which is how all K-dramas should be watched, since the actors' emotions are much more palpable when expressed in their native language.) Warning: Major spoilers ahead for Squid Game season 3! Episode 1: Keys and Knives Geum-ja (Kang Ae-sim) tells Yong-sik (Yang Dong-geun) that she can protect herself with her hairpin ... More (binyeo) in Squid Game season 3. 1. In the first episode, Jang Geum-ja reassures her son Yong-sik that she can protect herself, partly with the help of her hairpin, called a binyeo (비녀, pronounced like 'bee-nyuh') in Korean. A binyeo is a traditional Korean hairpin worn by women (and sometimes men as well) since ancient times to hold their hair in place. Binyeo differ greatly in their size and ornamentation and were historically made from gold, silver, jade, wood or other materials. (On the left side of the image) Examples of binyeo (traditional Korean hairpin) by master craftsman ... More Kang Seong-su A binyeo made of metal could potentially be used for self-defense, but the one Geum-ja owns even has a small silver blade hidden inside. In Squid Game season 2, she pulls it out and shows it to Yong-sik, telling him that his grandmother gave it to her and that she brought it to the games just in case she needed to defend herself with it. Geum-ja (Kang Ae-sim) shows Yong-sik (Yang Dong-geun) her hairpin (binyeo) in Squid Game season 2, ... More episode 5. In season 3, Geum-ja uses her binyeo both to cut the umbilical cord of Jun-hee's newborn baby and to stab her son in the back (literally) to prevent him from attacking Jun-hee—a scene that was criticized by many viewers in Korea, where blood truly runs thicker than water. Later Geum-ja hangs herself, presumably out of guilt over the death of her son, without whom she feels she has no reason to live. Geum-ja uses the blade in her binyeo to cut the umbilical cord of Jun-hee's baby. (Squid Game season ... More 3, episode 2) Yong-sik stabbed in the back by his mother Geum-ja's binyeo (Squid Game season 3, episode 2) Episode 2: The Starry Night 2. When kids in Korea play hide-and-seek, the person who's 'it' covers their eyes and generally either counts or repeatedly chants '꼭꼭 숨어라 머리카락 보일라' (kkok-kkok soo-meo-ra meo-ri-ka-rak bo-il-la)—which literally translates to 'Hide well, or your hair might show'—as the other kids try to hide. Beyond that classic first line, multiple variations of the hide-and-seek song exist, each with different lyrics and sometimes even different melodies. For instance, here's a playful, pastoral version posted on Pinkfong's Korean YouTube channel (Pinkfong, by the way, is the Korean company behind the famous children's song 'Baby Shark'): Of course, the Squid Game version of the song is decidedly creepier—after all, it wouldn't be Squid Game if it didn't turn classic Korean children's games and songs into the stuff of nightmares, right? Note that the English lyrics in the above video are written to convey some of the rhyme and musicality of the original Korean version. A more literal translation of the Korean lyrics would be: Hide well, or your hair might showHide well, or the hem of your clothes might showHide well, or your toe(s) might show 3. In the scene where Nam-gyu sings to Myung-gi, many K-pop fans instantly recognized the song as the K-pop boy band iKON's, er, iconic hit 'Love Scenario' from 2018. Episode 3: It's Not Your Fault Young-hee and Cheol-su dolls during the jump rope game in Squid Game season 3, episode 3 4. Cheol-su and Young-hee: Although Cheol-su and Young-hee may forever be known to the world as giant, creepy animatronic dolls, they're based on fictional characters found in old Korean language textbooks. From 1948 (when the Republic of Korea was established) to 1987, Cheol-su and Young-hee were the primary characters used in Korean language textbooks for elementary school students. 5. '꼬마야 꼬마야' (kko-ma-ya kko-ma-ya), which translates to 'Hey kid, hey kid' or 'Hey little one, hey little one,' is another classic Korean children's song featured in Squid Game season 3. As heard during the jump rope scene, Korean kids will sometimes sing it when playing a group jump rope game, as shown in this subtitled video: Like the hide-and-seek song, the Korean lyrics for the jump rope song are somewhat loosely translated to sound more natural in English (though the line that reads 'Touch your toe' should technically say 'Lift one foot'). Scene from the jump rope challenge in Squid Game season 3, episode 3. The original Korean lyrics ... More actually translate to "lift one foot" instead of "touch your toe." For a more accurate English translation of the lyrics for both songs, check out this great video clip of the cast of Squid Game season 3 performing them a cappella: Episode 4: 222 Latin phrase Hodie Mihi Cras Tibi written on the walls of the players' dorm in Squid Game season 3 6. Written on the walls of the players' dorm is the Latin phrase Hodie Mihi Cras Tibi, which means 'My turn today, yours tomorrow.' In my interview with Director Hwang for Vanity Fair, he revealed that he'd wanted to 'convey the lesson that although the weak might fall first, tomorrow it could be you.' Gi-hun tells Player 353 that he could be the next one to die. In episode 5 when Player 353 approaches Gi-hun and Jun-hee's baby with a pole, Gi-hun reminds him that if he pushes both of them off the pillar, it could be his turn to die next—a clear reference to this wry adage. 7. In a previous interview with Forbes, Director Hwang stated that 'the most important theme for seasons 2 and 3' of Squid Game was showing Gi-hun's response to the question that Oh Il-nam poses to him in season 1: 'Do you still have faith in people?' Oh Il-nam (Oh Yeong-su) asks Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) if he still has faith in people. (Squid ... More Game season 1, episode 9) At the end of episode 4 of season 3, the Front Man asks Gi-hun the exact same question—to which Gi-hun ultimately responds in the finale. The Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun) asks Gi-hun if he still has faith in people. (Squid Game ... More season 3, episode 4) Episode 5: ○△□ The VIPs watch players getting ready to play the final game, "Sky Squid Game." (Squid Game season 3, ... More episode 5) 8. The final game played in the series is 'Sky Squid Game,' whose Korean name literally translates to 'High-altitude Squid Game.' In the aforementioned interview with Vanity Fair, Director Hwang explained that the game's design was intended to mimic a construction site, complete with construction tarps and a 'safety first' sign. He shared that he pictured the run-down pillars as symbolizing late-stage capitalism, saying, 'They're structures that once stood tall and firm, but over time, they've begun to crack and crumble. So I wanted that space to reflect this system that's starting to fall apart. Maybe it's time for us to tear the system down and rebuild, or at least make repairs to it.' Jeong-dae (Player 100) suggests turning Player 39 into their "lunchbox" and sacrificing him. (Squid ... More Game season 3, episode 5) 9. When Myung-gi teams up with Gi-hun during the Sky Squid Game, the other remaining players decide to beat up Player 39, referring to the poor guy as their 'lunchbox,' or doshirak (도시락, meaning a 'packed meal') in Korean. In Korea, it's common for people to pack doshirak in a portable container and carry it with them to school or work or while on a trip. Jeong-dae (Player 100, played by Song Young-chang) suggests carrying injured Player 39 (played by Woo Jung-kook) over the bridge like a doshirak and throwing him off the pillar in the next round, but Gi-hun refuses and responds, 'This isn't the solution.' Like so many other scenes throughout the series, it's a veiled critique of late-stage capitalism, which Director Hwang sees as an inherently flawed system that benefits the strong and powerful at the expense of those who are weak and vulnerable. Player 39 says he refuses to be the lunchbox before jumping to his death. (Squid Game season 3, ... More episode 5) 10. Though the shaman wasn't right about everything, she accurately predicted some of the player's fates, including foretelling Jeong-dae's death in gruesome detail. Episode 6: Humans Are… Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun) calls the Front Man 'older brother' in Korean in the Squid Game season 3 ... More finale. 11. Although the English subtitles show Jun-ho as addressing the Front Man by his first name, he actually calls him hyung (형), the Korean term for 'older brother.' In other words, Jun-ho still regards the Front Man/In-ho as his brother, even though In-ho has cut ties with his family. The mysterious visitor who found and took Gi-hun's money from the motel was none other than the ... More Front Man. (Squid Game season 3, episode 6) 12. So who's the mysterious visitor that found and took Gi-hun's money from the Pink Motel? If you guessed the Front Man, you'd be right. Director Hwang even confirmed this in his interview with Vanity Fair. 13. Why does Woo-seok (played by Jun Suk-ho) eat a block of tofu when he's released from prison? It's a Korean custom that dates back to at least the Japanese colonial period (though some believe it goes further back to the Joseon Dynasty). Back then, prisoners often became malnourished after spending time behind bars, and tofu was a cheap source of protein, vitamins and minerals. Since the nutrients in tofu tend to be easily absorbed by the body, it was seen as a quick way to replenish one's strength and stamina. Woo-seok (played by Jun Suk-ho) enjoys his tofu after getting out of prison in the Squid Game season ... More 3 finale. Besides this, there's also a more symbolic reason why Koreans eat tofu after getting out of jail: its white color is believed to symbolize purity, innocence and a fresh start. 14. Believe it or not, Gi-hun's daughter Ga-yeong is portrayed by the same actress (Jo Ah-in) in seasons 1 and 3. Similarly, Sae-byeok's younger brother Cheol is played by the same actor (Park Si-wan) throughout the series. Amazing how much they've grown in just a few years! 15. As for why the series ends in Los Angeles, no, it wasn't to leave room for an American spinoff. Instead, Director Hwang said he wanted to show three things: 1) Ga-yeong on screen, 2) Ga-yeong receiving her late father's belongings, including the remainder of his money, and 3) the difficulty of dismantling the entire system. Even though the games have ended in Korea, they're still happening in other parts of the world, including the U.S. Squid Game season 3 is currently streaming on Netflix.
