Lee Jung-jae's Seong Gi-hun has always been the beating heart of "Squid Game," and his ultimate sacrifice allows the dour finale to have a flash of humanity shine through. Lee spoke with Variety about the day he learned Player 456's fate,

When asked what those conversations looked like, Lee emphasized that “Squid Game” was originally intended to be a one season show. The series’ creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk only returned to make Seasons 2 and 3 because of the resounding popularity of the first installment.

Hwang Dong-hyuk's Squid Game Season 3 did not spare any player, and by the series finale, all the players were dead, even the protagonist, Seong Gi-hun (Player 456).