The Squid Game creator breaks down the hidden meaning of *that* shocking ending

The creator of Netflix’s Squid Game, Hwang Dong-hyuk, has thoroughly explained all the hidden meanings and symbolism of the ending. It makes so much more sense now.

Warning: This article obviously contains plenty of spoilers for the ending of Squid Game season three. Read at your own risk.

Myung-gi represents the state of humanity

Wow, this show gets deep. So, the VIPs decide Jun-hee’s baby should take her place in the contest. In the very final game, Gi-hung, Myung-gi and the baby remain. Only one of the them can win the Squid Game and live. Myung-gi is so desperate to stay alive and get his hands on the prize money that he actually tries to kill his own baby.

Hwang Dong-hyuk meant for Myung-gi to reflect the state of humanity right now. He told Tudum: “He tries to look the other way, prioritizing his own interests, immediate financial gain, and greed. He seeks his own interests even at the expense of the baby.

“Myung-gi represents all of us. We constantly talk about passing on to our future generations, how the planet is at its limit, or how the national pension system will soon [run] dry. But when it comes down to it, no one wants to pay more into the pension fund, we aren’t really living carbon-neutral lives, and we still produce just as much waste — all for our own convenience and self-interest.”

Gi-hun’s death is supposed to be a message for the audience

Rip to our king
(Credit: Netflix)

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Apparently, Hwang Dong-hyuk didn’t always plan for Gi-hun to die. But when he sat down to plan out season two and season three, he decided this was the right way to bring the story to an end.

The baby reminds Gi-hun of his own daughter. Gi-hun’s choice to die so the baby can live shows that he has rediscovered his “humanity and conscience”. Hwang Dong-hyuk wants Squid Game viewers to learn from Gi-hun’s selflessness.

“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.

“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.”

Um, the ending is meant to be hopeful?

This kid really doesn’t have a great start in life
(Credit: Netflix)

Hwang Dong-hyuk intended for the ending to have an optimistic message. He said: “Ultimately, the baby represents the future generation. I believe we also have the responsibility and duty to try everything that we can in our power to leave a better world for the future generation. The baby coming out [as] the winner was in line with the meaning of Squid Game.”

So, there you go. We shouldn’t be despairing that Gi-hun died. We should be pleased that the baby lived.

I will still be requiring some tissues, though.

Squid Game season three is now streaming. For all the latest Netflix news, drops, quizzes and memes – like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.

Featured image credit: Netflix