Netflix's biggest ever show, Squid Game, has been the subject of endless buzz since its massive debut in September this year. Now, its creator has revealed how season 1 almost had a much different ending.
Anyone who has seen the hugely popular Korean series Squid Game will remember the shocking finale as the main character, Seong Gi-hun (a.k.a. Player 456), decides not to get on the plane to see his daughter as expected and instead turns back to take revenge on the twisted game he somehow survived. Audiences were divided on the tantalizing conclusion to season 1 of Netflix's Squid Game, with many feeling the frustration of the life-changing decision Gi-hun makes.
Creator and director, Hwang Dong-hyuk, spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the upcoming season 2 of Squid Game and revealed the alternate ending they had in mind for season 1. Speaking through a translator, Hwang said they considered having Gi-Hun get on the plane and leave to reunite with his estranged daughter, but they were not sure if pursuing his own happiness was the right portrayal of the character. Hwang settled on the cliffhanger ending because he wanted to propose the question "Why has the world come to what it is now?" and felt this could only be done if Gi-Hun chose to turn around and not get on that plane.
Having a cliffhanger ending that leaves audiences wanting more, instead of neatly tying it all up, has proven to be a deft move on the creators' part. The Korean dystopian drama unexpectedly took the world by storm this year, with Netflix reporting Squid Game as its biggest show yet. Over 111 million accounts apparently watched at least 2 minutes of the first episode, and the countless memes derived from the show are everywhere on social media. While it is not officially confirmed, Hwang stated that a second season is in the early stages of development, and since it has been such an impressive money-maker for Netflix, it is highly unlikely they won't renew it.
The humongous popularity of the show may actually be to its detriment, however, as expectations are extremely high from its millions of viewers. Anticipation for season 2 is already building with fans online sharing their best Squid Game theories, and no detail goes unnoticed. Hwang even stated that he has seen fans analyzing "little details that were actually mistakes," as well as "happy coincidences" to fit their interpretations, so the pressure is on to create a watertight story.
Despite the plotholes some fans have noticed in Squid Game, it has been a blazing success for Netflix and has clearly resonated with people. The relatable characters and searing critique of the pitfalls of capitalism have kept it on the streaming giant's top 10 for an impressive amount of time. Even if the second season of Squid Game is a long way away, the impactful ending of its first season will undoubtedly bring viewers back in the millions.
Squid Game is now available on Netflix.
Source: Entertainment Weekly