Squid Game Season 2 Ends on a Gut-Wrenching Cliffhanger—Creator Explains Why

Netflix’s Squid Game Season 2 has wrapped up its seven-episode run with a shocking conclusion that left fans in disbelief. The intense final moments saw Seong Gi-Hun experience his most devastating loss yet, setting the stage for the series’ third and final season. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has revealed why this heartbreaking moment was chosen as the season’s endpoint.

The season finale features The Front Man delivering a crushing blow to Gi-Hun’s rebellion by forcing him to watch his best friend, Jung-Bae, be killed right before his eyes. This devastating twist underscores Gi-Hun’s consistent failures throughout the season. Speaking to Variety, Hwang explained, “When I first wrote the story of Seasons 2 and 3, it was one long story arc. I was originally planning to write this across eight to nine episodes, but once I finished, it came to over 10 episodes, which I thought was too long for one season.”

Hwang continued, “I needed a natural stopping point where I could give closure to the second season and then move on to the third.” That stopping point came after Gi-Hun’s rebellion crumbled, leading to Jung-Bae’s death. Hwang described Gi-Hun’s failures, including his attempts to plant a tracking device, persuade players to vote against the game, and unite others for a rebellion—all of which ended in crushing defeat. “All of his failures lead to this heavy crisis of losing his very best friend, Jung-Bae, at the hands of The Front Man,” Hwang said.

This tragic moment wasn’t just about heartbreak—it’s a key turning point in Gi-Hun’s journey. “I thought that was an adequate moment to give him a little bit of closure,” Hwang explained, “And then, from that moment on, in the third season, having that sense of huge guilt and failure weighing heavily on him—how is Gi-Hun going to carry on his mission? That’s the story that’ll further unfold.”

With Season 3 set to premiere later this year, fans are left to wonder how Gi-Hun will find redemption after such a devastating loss. The final season promises to explore his guilt, determination, and ultimate plan to dismantle the game once and for all.