Who Won Squid Game Season 1
Squid Game Season 1, released on Netflix in September 2021, concluded with Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) defeating his final opponent, Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo), in the titular children’s game. Gi-hun won the grand prize of 45.6 billion South Korean won but struggled to use the money for meaningful change. The season ends with Gi-hun receiving a phone call from an unmarked number, a cliffhanger that sets up later seasons. This explainer confirms the winner, the prize, and the narrative context without speculation.
Season 1 Finale Breakdown
The sixth episode, titled "The Last Game," resolves the survival contest among 456 heavily indebted players. After multiple rounds that reduce the field, only players 001 (Gi-hun) and 067 (Sang-woo) reach the final round of squid game. Their emotionally charged match concludes with Gi-hun emerging victorious, claiming the 45.6 billion won prize before boarding a plane.
Prize Money and Immediate Aftermath
Gi-hun’s winnings are presented as a single cash prize paid in full, enabling him to initially settle debts and provide for his daughter. Yet the season emphasizes his emotional isolation and impulsive spending, culminating in scenes where he squanders much of the money on gambling and reckless behavior. The finale contrasts material victory with personal emptiness, framing the win as bittersweet rather than purely triumphant.
Cast of Main Characters in the Finale
| Player Number | Character Name | Actor | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Seong Gi-hun | Lee Jung-jae | Winner |
| 067 | Cho Sang-woo | Park Hae-soo | Runner-up |
| 101 | Oh Il-nam | Oh Yeong-su | Eliminated earlier |
The 45.6 Billion Won Prize
The prize is consistently stated as 45.6 billion South Korean won, presented in cash and delivered by bank transfer after the games conclude. In season 1, the money is treated as both a narrative device that enables players to enter and as a critique of late-capitalist desperation. The exact real-world equivalent in USD fluctuates with exchange rates, but the core fact remains the won amount and its transformative yet problematic impact on Gi-hun’s life.
Post-Season 1 Story Arc
Following his win, Gi-hun’s storyline continues in later seasons, particularly Season 2 and Season 3, where the organization re-engages him. Season 1 intentionally ends on an unresolved note, with a phone call from an unknown number that implies renewed involvement in the games. This cliffhanger does not retroactively change the Season 1 winner but sets up long-term consequences for Gi-hun’s choices.
Common Misconceptions
Some viewers confuse Sang-woo’s popularity with a win, but the game rules and visible outcome confirm Gi-hun as the sole winner of that season. Another myth suggests the prize was never paid; canonical material affirms the transfer occurred, even as the show critiques how the wealth fails to deliver happiness. Clarifying these points helps anchor expectations around Season 1’s resolution.
Why the Answer Matters for Long-Term Viewers
Understanding who won Squid Game Season 1 is foundational for interpreting the series’ themes of inequality, trauma, and complicity. The victory is not portrayed as a clean happy ending but as the start of ongoing psychological and financial struggle. This evergreen context remains relevant across later seasons, making the factual outcome a key reference point for deeper analysis and discussion.