WARNING: Spoilers for Squid Game Season 3 below.
Squid Game fans have finally gotten the dramatic conclusion they’ve been waiting for with the release of the show’s third season on Netflix. In the finale, Lee Jung-jae, who plays the main character Seong Gi-hun, shared what he hopes viewers will take away from the intense and emotional ending.
In the final moments of the pushing game, Gi-hun, Lee Myung-gi (played by Im Si-wan), and a baby are the last remaining competitors. Myung-gi threatens Gi-hun and, after a violent fight, falls to his death.
However, viewers are shocked to find out that the players didn’t press the button to start the game, meaning Myung-gi’s elimination didn’t count.
Gi-hun then fulfills his promise to protect Kim Jun-hee’s (Jo Yu-ri) baby, ultimately sacrificing himself for the child’s safety.
Before his fall, Gi-hun faces the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) and the VIPs watching the match, muttering the powerful words: “We are not horses. We are humans. Humans are…”
Lee Jung-jae’s Message for Viewers
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter on July 8, Lee Jung-jae explained what he hopes people will understand from his character’s journey. He shared that, after the events of season 2 and the failed rebellion, Gi-hun is pushed to his limits, experiencing extreme darkness but still fighting to find hope and meaning in life.
Lee said, “What I hope people take away is that we all get hurt and betrayed by others, which can lead to hatred, but we still have to carry on and live together in society. We have to try to understand each other, to keep our dignity and work towards harmony.”
He emphasized that, despite all the struggles, if people can work together, they might create a better future with less division and conflict. “That’s where hope lies,” he added.
Lee also said that Gi-hun’s heart was pure in wanting to protect the baby, so when he says, “Humans are worthy of respect,” it reflects his character’s final realization about humanity’s value.
The Physical and Emotional Journey of Gi-hun
At the Squid Game season 3 premiere in New York, Lee also discussed the physical and emotional preparation for his role. He explained how the show required both intense physical training and emotional depth for the scenes. “There are many scenes within the games that you need a lot of training to do physically,” he said.
However, Lee noted that what stood out to him the most was his strict diet over the year to reflect Gi-hun’s emotional journey, especially in his final moments. After the diet, he lost about 10 kilograms to fully embody his character.
Squid Game season 3 is now streaming in its entirety on Netflix, and fans can watch Gi-hun’s emotional journey come to a powerful conclusion. Lee Jung-jae’s hope for viewers is clear: even when faced with betrayal and pain, we must strive for unity and harmony, with respect for one another.
