Ji-hun struggles in deadly games during Squid Game's final season

The third and final season of the renowned South Korean series Squid Game premiered on June 27, 2025, on Netflix, following the narrative of Ji-hun, portrayed by Lee Jung-jae. This season begins right after the events of Season 2, where Ji-hun’s rebellion against the treacherous death game ended unsuccessfully. As he partakes in the final three games, he has essentially given up hope, finding himself increasingly isolated due to the greed displayed by other contestants, who continue to fight for the grand prize while suspecting Ji-hun's intentions to assist them rather than betray them. The new challenges reimagine childhood games with deadly stakes, intertwining betrayal and strategy, leading to a high body count and varying methods of death that keep the intensity of the series alive. In addition to Ji-hun’s narrative, the season also delves into side stories involving characters like the Pink Guard sniper No-eul and former police officer Jun-ho as they investigate the game's sinister underbelly. Although these plotlines receive less emphasis, they culminate in crucial developments towards the finale. Despite its compelling visual aesthetics and the series' continued exploration of wealth disparity, some critiques question the predictability of the plot, claiming that the shocking twists have become increasingly telegraphed. Familiarity with the show's themes and tropes has led to a diluted narrative impact, and viewers feeling that much of the emotional weight from earlier seasons has become muted in the third installment. As for Ji-hun, his character arc explores themes of desperation and the emotional toll of survival in a rigged game where noble intentions often clash with human weaknesses. The juxtaposition between Gi-hun's aspirations for heroism against the backdrop of avarice and malice in others highlights the show's critical comment on societal issues. As the final season unfolds, the narrative draws into focus the efforts of characters who try to dismantle the exploitative structure of the games from the inside, but a pervasive atmosphere of hopelessness looms large, complicating their endeavors. Ultimately, viewers are left contemplating the moral complexities and consequences of a society that thrives on exploitation and greed, while Ji-hun's journey serves as a reflection of these grim themes. Tension builds as the show seeks to push the narrative to unforeseen extremes, leading to a climactic and inevitably intense conclusion that serves to elevate the stakes, not just for Ji-hun but for all players caught in this twisted web of manipulation. It remains to be seen how audiences will reconcile their legacy with the overarching messages that Squid Game has continuously explored into its final season.