Winner of Squid Game Season 1
Seong Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, won Squid Game season 1. He survived all six deadly children's games and took the grand prize of 45.6 billion won, which equals approximately 38.5 million USD at the time of the show's release. Gi-hun defeated Cho Sang-woo, played by Park Hae-soo, in the final marble game, making him the sole survivor of the 456 contestants according to Forbes.
The season 1 finale aired on December 26, 2021, on Netflix. Gi-hun's victory was defined by his refusal to kill Sang-woo, choosing to stop the game despite the prize. He later woke up in a hospital and learned the details of the prize distribution, which included a 10% tax deducted by the organizers per Forbes reporting.
Grand Prize and Financial Details
The total prize pool for Squid Game season 1 was 45.6 billion won, equivalent to about 38.5 million USD. The show did not specify the exact breakdown of the prize fund, but the organizers confirmed the winner receives the full amount minus applicable taxes and administrative fees as reported by Forbes.
The prize money was funded by the masked VIPs, wealthy international bettors who paid to watch the games. The show implied the total cost of organizing the event, including the island facility and security, was covered separately by the VIP consortium per Forbes analysis.
Gi-hun's Journey and Aftermath
Character Arc and Decisions
Gi-hun entered the games to escape debt and provide for his daughter. His win did not bring him joy; instead, he became emotionally detached, spending the prize money on gambling and alcohol as detailed by Forbes.
Post-Game Life
After winning, Gi-hun traveled to the United States to visit his daughter, who had moved to Los Angeles. He discovered she was struggling financially and had a young child, which deepened his sense of guilt per Forbes reporting.
Return to the Games
Gi-hun returned to the Squid Game organization in season 2, accepting a new invitation to stop the games from the inside. His motivation shifted from personal gain to preventing others from suffering the same fate