As the global phenomenon Squid Game officially wraps up with its third season, lead actor Lee Jung Jae has opened up about his personal reflections on the series’ ending, the creative choices behind it, and the emotional weight of bidding farewell to one of the most iconic roles of his career.
In a candid interview with Sports Chosun, conducted at a café in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Lee discussed not only the trajectory of the Netflix original but also his appreciation for director Hwang Dong Hyuk’s unwavering dedication to storytelling over commercial gain.
Reflecting on the series’ conclusion, Lee expressed a deep sense of gratitude mixed with lingering sadness.
“The first thing that comes to mind is that it was a tremendous experience,” he said.
“Now that it’s really over, I wonder if I’ll ever get the chance to talk about Squid Game again.”
Unlike films that may be re-released or revisited, he noted that OTT series rarely offer the same longevity in the public eye, making the final curtain feel more definitive.
Lee admitted that he always struggles with character-building in the early stages of any project, but gradually grows closer to the role over time.
By the end, he often finds himself wishing for just a few more scenes or episodes—a sentiment he also felt deeply with Squid Game.
“It doesn’t feel refreshing or satisfying; just bittersweet and a little sad that it’s over,” he said, capturing the emotional toll of saying goodbye to a role he had inhabited across three seasons.
While fans worldwide have lauded Squid Game for its bold storytelling, some viewers were left divided over the final act of Season 3. Lee, however, voiced admiration for the creative direction taken by Hwang Dong Hyuk.
“The director had a strong vision,” he explained.
“Instead of prolonging the series for success, he chose to prioritize the integrity of the story. That takes real courage.”
He went on to describe Hwang as a true writer—someone more focused on meaning than on making content just for popularity’s sake.
According to Lee, the original plan was always for the series to end after 13 episodes across two seasons, and although he personally hoped for more, he ultimately respected Hwang’s decision to conclude the story as originally intended.
Lee also shared his behind-the-scenes approach during filming, choosing to fully align with the director’s intent rather than pushing his own ideas.
“When a project becomes this successful, it’s rare for a creator to be able to do exactly what they want,” he noted.
“So I made it my mission on set to follow the director’s vision as closely as possible.”
He further emphasized the importance of the series’ ending from a cinematic perspective, explaining that for filmmakers like Hwang, the conclusion is not just a plot point but a culmination of emotional and thematic arcs.
“The ending is everything,” Lee said. “I could feel how much he agonized over it. I didn’t expect that kind of ending.”
In Squid Game 3, Gi Hun returns to the deadly competition with renewed resolve, only to lose his closest friend and face harrowing truths, including the hidden identity of the Front Man.
The season dives deeper into the psychological toll of survival, betrayal, and the moral consequences of choice.
Within just three days of its June 27 release, the final season amassed over 60.1 million views, topping Netflix’s Global Top 10 list and reinforcing the franchise’s unmatched reach.
Even more impressively, Squid Game 3 became the first Netflix series to claim the No. 1 spot in all 93 tracked countries, including the U.S., South Korea, France, and Brazil.
Additionally, all three seasons simultaneously surged back into Netflix’s all-time Top 10 Non-English TV list, with Season 2 reaching No. 3 and Season 1 rising to No. 6.
As the curtains close on one of Netflix’s most successful and culturally significant series, Lee Jung Jae’s reflections serve as a powerful reminder of the artistry behind the spectacle.
His words not only honor the creative risks taken by the director but also highlight the emotional investment required of actors who live and breathe their characters over years of storytelling.
For Lee—and for millions of viewers worldwide—Squid Game may be over, but its impact will linger far beyond the final scene.
