Who Won the Netflix Squid Game Challenge?

Ultimately, the winner of the Squid Game was Seong Gi-hun, also known as Player 456. He survived all six deadly games, outlasting 455 other contestants, and claimed the enormous cash prize. His victory, however, was far from a traditional celebration. Gi-hun’s journey was marked by profound moral dilemmas and the crushing weight of survivor’s guilt, leaving him questioning the very nature of the victory he achieved.

Understanding Gi-hun’s Victory

Gi-hun’s win wasn’t simply about physical prowess or strategic brilliance, though those certainly played a role. It was a complex combination of luck, resourcefulness, and, perhaps most importantly, a flickering ember of empathy that refused to be extinguished even amidst the brutal competition. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of his triumph.

The Games and Gi-hun’s Strategy

Gi-hun’s success wasn’t predicated on a single, grand strategy. He adapted, collaborated when necessary, and even relied on sheer luck at times. Think about it:

• Red Light, Green Light: Survival here was mostly instinctual, relying on quick reflexes and a bit of luck to avoid detection.
• Honeycomb: Gi-hun cleverly utilized licking the honeycomb to weaken the sugar around his chosen shape, demonstrating ingenuity under pressure.
• Tug-of-War: Teamwork and strategy were paramount. Gi-hun, along with his team, developed a clever tactic of initially feigning weakness before unleashing a powerful pull, leveraging their opponents’ overconfidence.
• Marbles: This game presented the greatest moral challenge for Gi-hun. His ultimate victory over Il-nam (Player 001) was fraught with ethical ambiguity and highlighted the devastating choices the game forced upon its participants.
• Glass Stepping Stones: Again, luck played a significant role, but Gi-hun also benefited from the sacrifice of others, notably the glass expert, to identify the safe panels.
• Squid Game: The final showdown against Sang-woo was a brutal and emotionally charged affair. Sang-woo’s eventual sacrifice allowed Gi-hun to potentially stop the games, though ultimately, Gi-hun made the decision not to kill him.

The Cost of Victory

Gi-hun’s win was Pyrrhic, to say the least. He was left deeply traumatized by the deaths of his fellow contestants, particularly those he had formed bonds with. The massive sum of money seemed tainted by blood, and he struggled to reconcile his survival with the immense loss he witnessed. His initial reluctance to use the money, his eventual charitable actions, and his determination to stop the games from continuing all underscore the profound psychological toll the Squid Game took on him.

Beyond the Game: Gi-hun’s Transformation

Gi-hun’s journey wasn’t just about surviving a deadly game; it was about undergoing a profound transformation. He started as a man struggling with gambling debts and a fractured relationship with his daughter. The Squid Game exposed him to the depths of human despair and cruelty, but it also reinforced his underlying humanity. By the end, he became determined to fight against the system that created the game, dedicating himself to preventing future tragedies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Squid Game Winner

Q1: Did Gi-hun actually use all the prize money?

No. Initially, Gi-hun felt unable to touch the money, wracked with guilt over how it was acquired. He later used a portion of it to help Sang-woo’s mother and Kang Sae-byeok’s brother. He also confronted and provided financial assistance to the daughter of a deceased contestant. The series ends with him seemingly poised to disrupt the next iteration of the Squid Game, suggesting he may dedicate the remaining money to that cause.

Q2: Was Gi-hun lucky or skilled?

It was a combination of both. While luck certainly played a role in certain games, particularly the glass stepping stones, Gi-hun displayed resourcefulness, strategic thinking, and an ability to form alliances, contributing to his survival. His ingenuity with the honeycomb and his team’s tactics in tug-of-war illustrate his skills.

Q3: Could anyone else have won instead of Gi-hun?

Absolutely. The outcome of each game was often decided by slim margins, and different choices or a bit more luck could have easily led to another contestant’s victory. Sang-woo, for example, possessed considerable strategic intelligence and almost won. Ultimately, the unpredictable nature of the games and the inherent randomness within them meant that anyone could have emerged victorious.

Q4: Why didn’t Gi-hun just leave with the money after winning?

Gi-hun was deeply affected by the trauma of the games and the deaths of his fellow contestants. He was plagued by survivor’s guilt and struggled to find meaning in his victory. This moral conflict prevented him from simply enjoying the money and moving on with his life.

Q5: What was the significance of Gi-hun dyeing his hair red?

The red hair can be interpreted as a symbol of Gi-hun’s rebellion and transformation. It represents his rejection of the life he led before the games and his embrace of a new purpose: to fight against the system that created the Squid Game. It’s a visual statement of his defiance and determination.

Q6: How did Gi-hun know about the next Squid Game?

Gi-hun encountered the Salesman who had originally recruited him for the Squid Game. The Salesman was in the process of recruiting another potential participant. This encounter revealed that the games were still ongoing and reignited Gi-hun’s desire to stop them.

Q7: Did Gi-hun make the right decision in the final Squid Game by not killing Sang-woo?

This is a complex moral question with no easy answer. By refusing to kill Sang-woo, Gi-hun upheld his own moral code and prevented himself from becoming a murderer. However, Sang-woo’s subsequent sacrifice allowed Gi-hun to potentially stop the games, creating a paradoxical situation. Whether it was the “right” decision is subjective and open to interpretation.

Q8: What was the role of Il-nam (Player 001) in Gi-hun’s victory?

Il-nam, revealed to be the mastermind behind the Squid Game, played a significant, albeit indirect, role in Gi-hun’s victory. His initial presence as a seemingly vulnerable old man allowed Gi-hun to form a connection and develop a sense of empathy, which influenced his later decisions. Furthermore, Il-nam’s manipulations throughout the games subtly shaped the events that led to Gi-hun’s ultimate win.

Q9: Was Gi-hun’s victory a victory for good or a reflection of a flawed system?

It’s arguably both. Gi-hun’s survival can be seen as a testament to his resilience and his refusal to completely abandon his humanity. However, the fact that he had to endure such a horrific ordeal to achieve that victory highlights the deep flaws within the system that created the Squid Game in the first place. His win is bittersweet, a stark reminder of the societal inequalities that drive people to such desperate measures.

Q10: Will Gi-hun be successful in stopping the Squid Game in the future?

That remains to be seen. The series concludes with Gi-hun turning away from his flight to see his daughter and instead heading towards the recruiters, signaling his intent to confront the organization behind the games. Whether he will succeed is uncertain, but his determination suggests a potentially significant conflict in future seasons (if they are produced).

Q11: How did Gi-hun change from the beginning of the series to the end?

Gi-hun underwent a dramatic transformation. At the start, he was portrayed as a somewhat irresponsible and directionless individual. The Squid Game forced him to confront his own mortality and the depths of human depravity. He emerged from the experience a changed man, burdened by guilt but driven by a newfound sense of purpose and a commitment to fighting injustice.

Q12: What does Gi-hun’s victory say about human nature?

Gi-hun’s victory presents a nuanced view of human nature. It suggests that even in the face of extreme adversity and moral compromises, empathy and a sense of justice can persist. While the Squid Game exposed the worst aspects of human behavior, Gi-hun’s ultimate decision to fight against the system offers a glimmer of hope and reinforces the idea that even in the darkest of times, humanity can endure.