“Squid Game” made a global impact when it first premiered, capturing audiences with its intense survival games and social commentary. Since then, it has changed the landscape of South Korean entertainment and left a lasting impression on viewers worldwide.

Now, the series has reached its third season, which also serves as the second-to-last in the franchise. Creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk recently opened up about this milestone. Reflecting on the nearing conclusion, he said, “So while it’s sentimental to see it end. There’s also a sense of relief.”

Fans React Strongly to Season 3 Finale

As the third season ends, fans have flooded social media with mixed reactions. Some praised character arcs, while others expressed disappointment.

One viewer posted, “In my opinion, this ending sucked and felt like a cash grab for an American Squid Game.”

Another user mourned a favorite character: “Player 120’s death might be the saddest one yet of all the squid games. I simply wasn’t prepared for that.”

One fan believed a character deserved better: “Let’s all agree that if Myung-gi didn’t stab Cho Hyun-ju during the 4th game, she would have won the entire Squid Game. FINAL GIRL IN MY EYES.”

Cho Sang-woo, a character from the earlier seasons, continued to receive praise even after the series finale. A tweet read, “Now that Squid Game is over, it’s safe to say that Cho Sang-woo still remains the best-written character and the greatest antagonist in the series.”

Another viewer voiced frustration over a character’s tragic fate, writing, “Literally this man sacrificed his life, watched all of his loved ones get eliminated, didn’t get his happy ending with his daughter, just to end up dying for nothing.”

Global Records Continue to Fall

Despite the mixed reactions to the ending, “Squid Game” remains Netflix’s most successful show to date. Its return with Season 2 in December 2024 proved how strong its global fan base still is.

The second season broke records for most views during its premiere week. It entered Netflix’s “Most Popular Non-English TV” list in just three days and currently holds the #2 spot with 192.6 million views—only behind Season 1’s 265.2 million.

Moreover, Season 2 became the third most-watched season of any show on Netflix, confirming the series' place as a cultural phenomenon.