In a recent interview, Hwang Dong Hyuk, the director of the globally acclaimed Netflix series Squid Game, opened up about how the show’s ending was significantly different in his original script.
Initially, the finale was intended to be more hopeful, with Seong Gi Hun meeting Hwang Jun Ho, putting an end to the deadly game, and then searching for his daughter in the U.S.
However, Hwang changed course after witnessing the stark realities of the world, such as extreme wealth disparities exemplified by Jeff Bezos’s extravagant wedding, and growing global crises like war, climate change, and deepening inequality.
Hwang explained that as he continued writing, he felt the world’s increasing difficulty in surviving and a lack of accountability from those in power needed to be reflected in the story.
He believed older generations should make sacrifices for future ones, which influenced the addition of a child in the narrative.
This darker, more complex ending was meant to emphasize the burdens passed down through generations and the systemic issues society faces.
Despite these insights, the director’s revelations sparked mixed reactions from fans and critics alike.
Some viewers expressed frustration, feeling that Hwang’s explanations should have been clearer through the show itself rather than through interviews.
Others questioned the director’s understanding of human nature or criticized the original ending as potentially more appealing to international audiences who dislike bleak finales where main characters die.
Yet some viewers appreciated the existing ending, believing it was more impactful.
This interview has reignited debates on Squid Game’s controversial finale and its social commentary, highlighting how art can reflect complex realities and how audience expectations shape the reception of storytelling.
Whether fans preferred the hopeful original or the somber final cut, the director’s candidness offers a deeper understanding of the creative decisions behind one of the decade’s most talked-about dramas.
