Squid Game: The Challenge has been an incredible ride, and now the winner of the debut season has been revealed. With three finalists battling it out for the $4.56 million grand prize, who walked away with all of that cash? Which of the contestants was taken out before the final game? And exactly how did the Squid Game champion fight their way to the money? We’ve got all of those answers for you below!
Who is the winner of Squid Game: The Challenge?
Mai Whelan, Player 287, is the winner of Squid Game: The Challenge Season 1 on Netflix.
Mai beat out Phill Cain, Player 451, and Sam Wells, Player 016, to the $4.56 million prize. Phill came second, with Sam finishing in third place.
Sam was eliminated after the finalists’ final dinner. Three buttons were placed in the center of the table, and players had to decide who would push one. Each would turn a different color. If the button went green, the person who pushed it could decide who they’d face in the final game. Should the button turn gray, nothing would happen. If it went red, the button-pusher would be eliminated. Mai went first, and her button went gray. Then, when Sam pressed a button, it went red, making Phill and Mai the final two.
What was the final game in Squid Game: The Challenge?
Despite the Squid Game light-up floor, Mai and Phill actually competed in a final game of rock, paper, scissors.
Each time one player beat the other, they could select a key from a box full of different keys, to try and open the safe. After what seemed like countless hours, Mai selected the right key, and claimed the $4.56 million prize.
Mai had spoken about how she navigated the game throughout the series. “You need to make connections and friendships but at the same time you need time to yourself to reflect and ground,” she explained. She had used meditation throughout filming to do just that.
Casting is now open for the second season of Squid Game: The Challenge. You can apply to compete at squidgamecasting.com.
Squid Game: The Challenge Season 1 is available to stream exclusively on Netflix.
TELL US – DID YOU ENJOY SQUID GAME: THE CHALLENGE? DO YOU THINK MAI DESERVED TO WIN? WHAT TWISTS DO YOU EXPECT FROM SEASON 2?
