영화 '하이파이브' 개봉일, 줄거리, 등장인물, 유아인, 관람포인트 총정리 (강형철 감독 신작)

Squid Game Season 3: The Final Judgment, A Preview of the Final Chapter Where All Mysteries Will Be Solved

The Netflix original series 'Squid Game,' which took the world by storm, is finally coming to a grand conclusion with its third season. This season is more than just a sequel; it declares the perfect end to a massive, six-year-long narrative, fueling intense anticipation from fans. What story will this final chapter hold, which director Hwang Dong-hyuk has confidently stated "will not disappoint"?

The Most Intense Finale in Netflix History is Coming!

Release Date and Production Background

'Squid Game Season 3' will be released simultaneously worldwide on Netflix on June 27, 2025. This is a remarkably fast release, coming just six months after Season 2, which was released on December 26, 2024. A special strategy lies behind this rapid release schedule. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk originally planned and filmed Seasons 2 and 3 as a single, continuous story spanning 13 episodes. However, Netflix proposed splitting the 13 episodes into two seasons to align with the recent streaming trend of favoring 4-8 episode seasons and to minimize content gaps. The production team accepted this as a practical choice. While this led to some criticism that Season 2 served merely as a 'bridge' for Season 3, the final season is expected to resolve any lingering dissatisfaction and present a perfect conclusion.

The total production cost for Seasons 2 and 3 is estimated to be around $100 million (approx. 130 billion KRW), making it the largest-scale production among Netflix's non-English series. Lead actor Lee Jung-jae reportedly received a salary of 1 billion KRW per episode, hinting at the overwhelming scale of the production. The two seasons were filmed over approximately one year, from July 2023 to June 2024.

A Compelling Plot: Gi-hun's Final Choice and the Confrontation with the Front Man

Season 3 begins immediately after the bloody finale of Season 2. Despite winning the 45.6 billion won prize, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) is at the depths of despair after his rebellion to uncover the game's secrets fails miserably, and he loses his closest friend. This season's core narrative will focus on the new choice Gi-hun makes amidst his despair and his final confrontation with the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) and the game's organizers. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk has stated that Season 3 will conclude the unfinished narrative of Season 2 and resolve all mysteries.

The director emphasized that Season 3 is "the most emotionally intense story that shows the depths of humanity," and confidently stated it will be "darker and more brutal, but at the same time, quite ingenious and humorous." The main themes will explore "desire, survival, and morality," delving deeper into human nature and moral choices in extreme situations. The director particularly wanted to ask the fundamental question: "whether humanity exists within us, and if so, whether that humanity has the power to make the world a better place." He explained that this season will be "a season that questions the game itself." As the origin of the game and the identity of its organizers are revealed, a more direct critique of the structural contradictions of capitalist society and power systems is expected. It has also been suggested that ethical thought experiments like the 'Trolley Dilemma' may be incorporated into the games.

New Games and Terror: The Appearance of the Cheol-su Doll

New games will be added this season, with the 'Cheol-su doll,' which appeared in the Season 2 post-credits scene, playing a key role. Cheol-su, the partner of 'Young-hee,' is expected to be a significant part of games like 'Red Light, Green Light.' The shadows of Young-hee and Cheol-su have already been revealed in posters and stills, heightening the tension.

According to Namuwiki, special games "Culling" and "Rebellion (Playing the Hero)" will be featured, with specific numbers recorded: 58 survivors and 37 eliminated. The trailer shows the familiar nursery rhyme "Knock, knock, who's there?" and the giant Young-hee doll reappearing, hinting at the horror of the survival game. A deadly jump rope game set to the tune of the 'Kkomaya Kkomaya' rhyme and a 'Gacha Machine' where participants draw red and blue balls have also been revealed. Actor Lee Jung-jae mentioned that the baby of Kim Jun-hee (Player 222), played by Jo Yu-ri, will be central to the story in the jump rope game. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk stated he will introduce the "fear of heights," which was lacking in Season 2, to stimulate primal fear in Season 3.

If the games in Season 1 tested physical abilities and Season 2 dealt with teamwork and betrayal, the games in Season 3 seem designed for extreme psychological torture. The gacha machine severs emotional bonds through pure luck, while the jump rope game with a baby imposes an unbearable moral weight. This shift shows that the final test focuses on breaking the human spirit, which perfectly aligns with the Front Man's goals and the director's thematic intentions.

Main Characters & Deep Stories from the Cast

In Season 3, familiar faces and new actors will come together to create an even richer story.

• Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae): Player 456 and the winner of Season 1, he is at a crossroads of despair after failing to uncover the game's secrets. Actor Lee Jung-jae revealed that after failing to save people, Gi-hun will contemplate "what he can do" inside the game arena and undergo a significant "transformation." He defined the confrontation with the Front Man as a "battle of beliefs" and a "clash of worldviews and values," adding that he lost 10kg for the final scene, implying the character's physical and mental exhaustion.
• The Front Man / Hwang In-ho (Lee Byung-hun): The mysterious figure who controls the game, his conflict with Gi-hun is a central narrative. Actor Lee Byung-hun spoke of the difficulty of simultaneously portraying three personas—the ordinary man Hwang In-ho, the cold Front Man, and his feigned identity as the game participant 'Il-nam'—and hinted that Season 3 will evoke "a greater sense of loss and sorrow."
• Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon): The police officer who played a crucial role in tracking the Front Man's identity in Season 2. It has been announced that his role will expand in Season 3 as he directly confronts his brother and the game system. Actor Wi Ha-joon explained he made external changes, such as losing weight and growing a beard, to express the trauma and "devastated" state his character experienced after Season 1.
• Kim Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri): She appeared as a pregnant participant in Season 2, and it was mentioned that her baby will play a decisive role in the 'Kkomaya Kkomaya' game.
• The controversial casting of Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P) faced backlash due to his past drug-related incident, but Director Hwang Dong-hyuk maintained the casting, citing his acting skills and character suitability. Following positive reviews for his performance in Season 2, anticipation is high for his role in Season 3. Meanwhile, rumors of Leonardo DiCaprio's appearance were officially denied by Netflix as "groundless."
• Other cast members include Im Si-wan (Lee Myeong-gi, Player 333), Kang Ha-neul (Kang Dae-ho, Player 388), Park Gyu-young (Kang No-eul/Semo, Player 11 Soldier), Park Sung-hoon (Jo Hyun-ju, Player 120), Yang Dong-geun (Park Yong-sik, Player 007), Kang Ae-sim (Jang Geum-ja, Player 149), Lee Jin-wook (Park Gyeong-seok, Player 246), Park Hee-soon (Unit Commander), and Oh Dal-su (Captain Park), all of whom will portray the tension of the game and the human condition in depth.

Completing the World of Squid Game: Production Behind-the-Scenes & Filming Locations

The Director's Creative Agony and Production Secrets

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk experienced severe stress after the global success of Season 1 and described preparing for Seasons 2 and 3 simultaneously as "the pain of creation" and feeling like he had "shortened his lifespan by 7-8 years." However, he revealed that Season 3 is personally his favorite of the three, showing his immense personal investment in the project. Regarding the mixed reactions to Season 2, the director explained that new characters like 'Thanos' and a more complex storyline were an attempt to depict a "small society" with various factions. He promised that in Season 3, these complex threads will "narrow" and converge at a single point.

Season 3's story was adjusted based on feedback from Season 2, with additional filming conducted to ensure a high-quality ending. Lee Byung-hun and Lee Jung-jae confirmed their roles based on their trust in Director Hwang since Season 1. Im Si-wan and Kang Ha-neul joined in Season 2, a choice made to bring to life the characters' complex emotional arcs.

Scale and Visuals: The Overwhelming Visuals of a $100 Million Production

Befitting its $100 million budget, Season 3 used more special effects and sets than Season 2. A significant portion of the budget was allocated to the digital work for the 'Cheol-su' and 'Young-hee' dolls, with robotics experts even participating in the doll set production to enhance its quality.

The art director explained that the VIP room design was drastically changed for Season 3. The use of white marble instead of the previous season's black marble expresses the cold, detached temperature of the Front Man, creating a stark contrast with the fiery Gi-hun. The VIPs' dining area was designed with a hexagonal structure to give a "solid, oracle-like feel" and maximize a secretive, private atmosphere. Furthermore, believing that "the existence of evil, encompassing all things cruel and violent, is poison," the design incorporated 'poisonous plants' throughout the VIP room to convey the message visually.

The Stage of the Game: Reality Hidden in Plain Sight Across South Korea

'Squid Game' reinforces its core themes by juxtaposing the game's colorful, artificial world with the realistic living spaces of modern South Korea. This emphasizes that the brutal competition within the game is merely an extreme metaphor for the struggle for survival in the real world.

The main indoor sets and VFX scenes were filmed at Studio Cube in Daejeon. Extensive location shooting was also conducted throughout South Korea.

• Incheon Metropolitan City: The main set location for Seasons 1-3. Abandoned factories and warehouses were renovated to create the game sets. The Young-hee and Cheol-su doll sets were also built in a warehouse in Incheon.
• Seoul Metropolitan Area: Used for filming scenes outside the game, such as Gi-hun's daily life. Various urban spaces in Seoul were used, including Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Plaza, Gaon Culture Park in Sangam-dong, the Yeouido financial district, Ssangmun-dong's Baegun Market, the Itaewon/Namsan area, and Jongno's Tapgol Park.
• Jeju Island: Scenes depicting a secret base on the island were filmed for Seasons 2 and 3, utilizing Jeju's natural landscapes.
• Gyeonggi Province: Large-scale game sets, like the one for 'Red Light, Green Light,' were built in a large studio here. DIMA Studio Complex in Namyangju was also used for indoor filming.
• Other Regions: Incheon International Airport, Dadaepo Port, Geoje Island, Mado, and Taean are presumed to be departure points for the island where the game takes place or backdrops for specific scenes. The amusement park Seoul Land was also used for various scenes.
• While the possibility of overseas location shooting was raised for Season 3, Netflix confirmed that most of the filming took place in Korea.

The Grand Finale That Will Captivate the World: Box Office Prospects & Fan Events

Global Success and Emmy Potential

'Squid Game Season 2' recorded 68 million views in just four days, ranking 7th all-time among Netflix's non-English series. Season 1 still holds the 3rd spot on Netflix's all-time list. Season 3 is expected to surpass these records and is considered one of Netflix's "big three" for 2025, alongside 'Stranger Things 5' and 'Wednesday 2'. Its potential for Emmy Awards is already being discussed, suggesting it will be recognized for both its artistic merit and commercial success.

Active Promotions and Fan Engagement

Ahead of the Season 3 launch, Netflix has been raising global fan anticipation by sequentially releasing posters, stills, and teaser trailers.

• Press Conference: A successful press conference was held on June 9, 2025, at Seoul Dragon City in Yongsan, Seoul, with Director Hwang Dong-hyuk and the main cast in attendance.
• New York Premiere: On June 18, 2025 (local time), a pink carpet event was held at The Plaza Hotel in New York, followed by the first-ever screening of Season 3's first episode at the Paris Theatre. Director Hwang confidently told fans, "We did our best to show you Season 3 as quickly as possible, and we are finally here. In 9 days, all the episodes will be out. I promise we will not disappoint you." The audience responded with a round of applause and enthusiastic cheers after the screening. Initial reactions were highly positive, described as an "intense start" and "fast-paced and emotional."
• Seoul Finale Event: As part of the '2025 K-Content Seoul Travel Week' held in Seoul on June 28, a finale fan event featuring cast members from Seasons 1-3 is scheduled. Fans can expect to enjoy a game experience zone and a talk show with the actors.
• Online Campaign: Fans are showing high anticipation for the work, participating in social media events using AR (Augmented Reality) filters featuring the 'Cheol-su' and 'Young-hee' dolls.

Deepening Social Message and Future Prospects

Regarding some criticisms of the violence and moral dilemmas portrayed in Season 2, Director Hwang Dong-hyuk defended them as "a reflection of the absurdities of reality." Season 3 is expected to delve deeper into the class conflict and critique of capitalism in Korean society, delivering a universal message to global audiences. The director stated that the core themes of "money, power, and human dignity" will be explored more profoundly in Season 3. As the final season, 'Squid Game' will likely attempt to deliver a hopeful message about the recovery of humanity and social change, moving beyond a simple, pessimistic portrayal of reality.

Although the 'Squid Game' series officially concludes with Season 3, Director Hwang Dong-hyuk has left open the possibility of spin-offs or prequels, such as the Front Man's past or the origin of the game. Netflix has already released reality shows and game content utilizing the 'Squid Game' IP, and additional projects may be announced after the release of Season 3.

'Squid Game Season 3' will conclude its six-year journey by moving beyond a simple survival game to ask profound questions about human nature and social systems. In the face of the worst despair, what choice will Gi-hun make, and who will be the true 'winner' of the Squid Game? On June 27, 2025, the final piece of the puzzle will fall into place.

Related Posts