In the gripping conclusion of Netflix’s “Squid Game” Season 3, the series delves into profound moral complexities, with a poignant storyline focused on Player 222, a pregnant contestant named Kim Jun-hee, portrayed by Jo Yu-ri. As the stakes rise in the game, Jun-hee’s backstory unfolds, revealing her deception by ex-boyfriend Lee Myung-gi (played by Im Si-wan), who lured her into a disastrous cryptocurrency scheme that left her financially vulnerable.
In a critical moment during a hide-and-seek challenge, Jun-hee goes into labor after sustaining an injury, and with aid from Player 149, a former nurse named Jang Geum-ja (Kang Ae-shim), and Player 120, the show’s first transgender character, Cho Hyun-ju (Park Sung-hoon), she manages to give birth despite the harrowing circumstances. Ultimately, recognizing her inability to advance, she selflessly bids farewell to her friend Seong Gi-hun (Player 456, portrayed by Lee Jung-jae) and allows herself to fall into the depths below, entrusting her newborn to him.
The narrative takes a darker turn when the baby inherits Jun-hee’s number, becoming the new Player 222. The final confrontation sees Gi-hun facing a horrific dilemma between his own life and that of the infant, which is revealed to be Myung-gi’s child. Choosing to honor his promise to Jun-hee, Gi-hun leaps to his death, sparing the child, while Hwang In-ho (Lee Byung-hun), known as the Front Man, claims the baby.
As the series transitions six months ahead, Detective Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon) receives the infant in a package alongside a note stating, “The winner,” symbolizing a glimmer of hope amid the bleakness of the game. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk emphasizes that the child symbolizes future generations, reflecting the series’ overarching themes of resilience and the responsibility to create a hopeful world for the coming generations.
Interestingly, the portrayal of the baby has sparked curiosity among fans regarding its authenticity. Lee Jung-jae revealed that a lifelike robot doll was used during filming, complete with facial expressions and realistic movements, which added depth to the actors’ performances.
This finale holds significant implications, as it articulates a message about survival, sacrifice, and the hope for a brighter future, making “Squid Game” more than just a story about competition; it’s a poignant commentary on the human condition.