The Squid Game became a global phenomenon in 2021, turning a brutal survival drama into a cultural benchmark. Among the chaos, only one player walked away with the top prize.
Behind the games, alliances, and emotional breakdowns lies a clear winner and a precise set of rules that determined the outcome. This overview breaks down everything that defined the champion and how the competition played out.
| Player | Real Name | Game | Prize Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seong Gi-hun | Lee Jung-jae | Final Game | 45.6 billion KRW |
| Cho Sang-woo | Park Hae-soo | Alliance with Gi-hun | Final Betrayal |
| Kang Sae-byeok | Jung Ho-yeon | Marbles | Eliminated |
| Player 001 | Oh Il-nam | Front Man collaboration | Death |
Seong Gi-hun Identity and Background
Seong Gi-hun, portrayed by Lee Jung-jae, enters the Squid Game burdened by debt and personal failure. His journey reflects desperation, loyalty, and moral conflict in a high-stakes environment.
As the default main character, Gi-hun participates in every major round, forming critical bonds and rivalries that shape the narrative.
Killing Harmony and Game Strategy
After the initial games, Gi-hun and Cho Sang-woo attempt to secure their escape through a mutual agreement during the Special Game. This partnership relies on trust and shared survival instincts.
The strategy collapses when self-interest overrides loyalty, leading to a decisive confrontation that determines the final outcome.
Final Game and Prize Structure
The last challenge is a simple children’s game, yet both players struggle to let go of past trauma and greed. Gi-hun recalls his childhood match with his friend, which becomes the emotional anchor for his decision.
Choosing to deliberately lose, Gi-hun ensures victory for Sang-woo, who immediately betrays the agreement. The system awards Gi-hun the full 45.6 billion KRW prize due to the technical completion of the round.
External Influence and Front Man Role
Oh Il-nam, known as Player 001 and the Front Man, orchestrates the games from behind the scenes. His involvement reveals the corporate and entertainment motives driving the competition.
Il-nam’s death shortly before the final games eliminates the last human constraint on the system, allowing the automated structure to proceed without moral interference.
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
- Understand the emotional motivations behind Gi-hun’s actions rather than focusing only on the monetary prize.
- Recognize how system automation removed human accountability after the Front Man’s death.
- Analyze alliance dynamics, especially the fragile trust between Gi-hun and Sang-woo.
- Remember that the official prize of 45.6 billion KRW was claimed despite betrayal, due to rule-based completion of the final game.
FAQ
Reader questions
How did Seong Gi-hun win the final prize in Squid Game?
Gi-hun won the final prize by deliberately losing the last marble game, completing the final round requirements and triggering the system’s payout of 45.6 billion KRW.
What happened to Cho Sang-woo after the games ended?
After the betrayal in the final game, Sang-woo is presumed dead by the organization, and his fate remains unresolved in the official series.
Why did Gi-hun deliberately lose if he could have won fairly?
Gi-hun chose to lose as an emotional act of friendship and escape from the cycle of violence, prioritizing personal redemption over monetary gain.
Did the Front Man benefit financially from the final outcome?
No, Il-nam died before the final games and received no prize, serving only as a strategic influencer during earlier stages of the competition.