“Humans are…” That was the final thing Gi-hun said just before he sacrificed himself. No answer. Hopeless. Cynical. That was the conclusion of one of the 2020s’ defining characters. Squid Game was harsh on Gi-hun every step of the way, but according to Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of the show, that wasn’t the original plan. Gi-hun was apparently supposed to be the one who had the stare-down with Cate Blanchett.
Squid Game has now ended. The profound critique on capitalism’s main message was ultimately that human beings are valuable regardless of how “strong” they are or what other value society sees in them — and the most memorable way the show could deliver that was by having Gi-hun give up his place as the winner of his third consecutive Squid Game for a baby.
