At Netflix’s electrifying TUDUM 2025 event on Saturday, May 31, at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae gave fans a glimpse into his thoughts on the highly anticipated third and final season of the global phenomenon, set to hit Netflix on June 27, 2025. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Lee, who plays the resilient Seong Gi-hun (Player 456), revealed he’s thrilled with how the series wraps up but admitted he’s “very nervous” about how fans will react. With the show’s massive success and intense fanbase, here’s why his comments have everyone buzzing.
The Korean thriller, created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, has been a cultural juggernaut since its 2021 debut, with season two racking up 27.1 million viewers in just 35 days and topping Netflix’s charts for the second half of 2024. Season three picks up after the gut-punch cliffhanger of season two, where Gi-hun’s rebellion against the deadly games failed, and his best friend, Player 290 Park Jung-bae, was executed by the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun). The teaser trailer, shown at TUDUM, depicts Gi-hun waking up alive in the iconic Squid Game coffin, back in the players’ quarters, facing what promises to be his toughest fight yet.
Lee Jung-jae, an Emmy winner for the first season, spoke candidly about the finale’s weight. “I’m happy with how it ended, but I know fans have their own ideas about what they want to see,” he said, per The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m really curious about how they’re going to respond to it. And I’m very nervous to find out.” His excitement is tempered by the pressure of meeting fan expectations, especially after season two’s mixed reception—some praised its bold twists, while others felt it leaned too heavily on familiar beats. Fans on social media echoed Lee’s anticipation, with one posting, “LEE JUNG JAE SAYS HE’S HAPPY WITH THE ENDING BUT I’M SHAKING—what does this mean??”
The TUDUM event, packed with stars and reveals, amplified the hype. Lee joined castmates like Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-jun, and Yim Si-wan on stage, where they teased a “mind-blowing” conclusion. A YouTube video from Netflix Korea earlier in May had the actors addressing fan theories, from the Front Man’s motives to new games like “Dong, Dong, Dongdaemun.” Hwang Dong-hyuk hinted some theories might hold water, keeping fans guessing. The series’ massive viewership—season two logged 4.92 billion and 4.6 billion minutes in its first two weeks—shows its grip on audiences, but Lee’s nerves reflect the challenge of sticking the landing for a show that’s sparked everything from reality spin-offs to fan edits shipping Gi-hun and the Front Man.
Mobland, another gritty crime drama, shares the spotlight with Squid Game this season, but it’s the Korean series’ finale that’s got everyone talking. With its June 27 release fast approaching, Lee’s comments highlight the high stakes. Will Squid Game deliver a finale that satisfies its passionate fanbase, or will it spark debate like season two? For now, fans are left to speculate, fueled by Lee’s mix of confidence and jitters. Squid Game season three drops on Netflix June 27—mark your calendars for what’s sure to be a wild ride.