Squid Game creator reveals Jun-ho's original ending after backlash over his season 3 storyline

1 July 2025, 17:23 | Updated: 2 July 2025, 16:04

By Sam Prance

What happens to Jun-ho in Squid Game season 3? Here's how his story ends and what the writers original planned.

Squid Game fans are disappointed over Jun-ho's season 3 ending and it turns out he initially had a different storyline.

When TV shows end, it's impossible to please everyone and Squid Game season 3 is no different. While viewers have praised the cast's performances and the terrifying new games in the final season, fans have also criticised how the show wraps things up for our main character Gi-hun. Not to mention, people still don't care for the VIP scenes.

Another point of contention is Jun-ho's plot. Now, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk and actor Wi Ha-joon have spoken out.

• Read more: Squid Game actor explains why the VIP scenes are so different following criticism
• Read more: Squid Game director explains meaning behind shock twist ending and cameo

WARNING: Squid Game season 3 spoilers below

Fans were already unsure of Jun-ho's storyline in Squid Game season 2 because he spends most of the show outside the action trying to find the island. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter India, Wi Ha-joon said: "I do understand from the audience’s point of view, it might have been frustrating and it looked like I was just going in circles."

However, he then promised that Jun-ho had a lot more to come in season 3. Wi Ha-joon teased: "But for me - since I had the whole narrative in mind already - it wasn’t so difficult. In season 3, my purpose and my arc will be fully unraveled, so please stay tuned!” Nevertheless, fans were still left disappointed with his ending.

Does Jun-ho die in Squid Game season 3?

In Squid Game season 3, Jun-ho doesn't find the island until the final episode and there isn't a dramatic confrontation with his brother In-ho (The Frontman). Jun-ho sees In-ho carrying Player 222's baby after the baby wins the games but does nothing. In-ho then sets the island to self destruct and they all escape.

We then see that Jun-ho is unsure what to do with his life when he returns home. After picking Woo-seok from prison, he seems to suggest that he's no longer a detective.

However, the series ends with Jun-ho coming home to find the baby in his apartment and a card with her prize money on it (45.6 billion won). Essentially, the series ends with Jun-ho becoming a father figure to this random baby.

However, people are sad that Jun-ho wasn't more connected to the action of the show. One person tweeted: "What’s Hwang Junho’s contribution in the entire series? (other than Wi Hajoon serving face card)."

They added: "Took him 2 seasons to find the island, for what exactly? Killing off Inho would’ve been iconic, but he ended up useless."

Another said: "All Hwang Junho's scenes, even if you edited it out, there's gonna be no effect in the plot lmfao."

What was Jun-ho's original Squid Game season 3 ending?

Speaking at a Korean press conference, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk said: "At first, I thought of Jun-ho and the people arriving at the island and joining forces with Gi-hun to finish the game." In other words, Jun-ho was originally meant to help put a stop to the games with Gi-hun. Gi-hun was even going to survive and reunite with his daughter.

Dong-hyuk then added: "As the direction of the story changed, the timing of their arrival was delayed, but I wanted Jun-ho to somehow be able to face his brother. I wanted Jun-ho to see the existence of this child, let him see his brother In-ho. Who can I entrust this child to? I think that’s what made me think of Jun-ho."

Explaining why Jun-ho ends up with the baby and the money, Dong-hyuk said: "After seeing [Jun-ho], his brother entrusted the child to him. He is a person In-ho can trust and isn’t the type of person to waste 45.6 billion won."

Read more about Squid Game here:

• Squid Game creator reveals shock alternative season 3 ending for Gi-hun
• Will there be an American Squid Game? How season 3's ending sets up spin-off
• Squid Game boss explains "Humans are..." meaning and reveals Gi-hun's final words
• Who took the money in Squid Game season 3? The identity revealed
• Who dies in Squid Game season 3? Every death in order explained

WATCH: JoJo Siwa paints a self-portrait while answering questions about her career

JoJo Siwa Paints A Portrait And Answers Questions About Chris Hughes & Her Career | Portrait Mode

Listen live to Capital, and catch up on any shows you missed, on Global Player.