Squid Game kills Korean version to release US version, BTS's V is the only Kpop star participating?

The blockbuster Squid Game is back for its third season - which is also the last season of the franchise, at least for the Korean version. Although the ending caused quite a bit of controversy, the film's immense appeal cannot be denied.

In the final game, Seong Gi-hun, the main character of the film, won the game for the second time. However, instead of receiving the prize of 45.6 billion won like in the first part, Gi-hun decided to sacrifice himself in front of Front Man and all the VIPs who bet on the Squid Game players. He also gave up all the titles and prizes to Kim Jun-hee's newborn child, player number 222.

Gi-hun's message was clear: He still believed in the goodness of humanity. He and all the other players were human beings, not racehorses for others to bet on. And his death, the only two-time champion of the Squid Game, was the strongest testament to that ideal.

However, director Hwang Dong-hyuk originally planned a different ending for Squid Game. Gi-hun would not have died. After winning, he would have somehow ended Front Man's death game series in Korea and reunited with his daughter in America. It was Gi-hun, not Front Man, who witnessed the scene where the recruiter played by Cate Blanchett was looking for potential "preys." This is also said to pave the way for the American version of Squid Game - although this information has not been confirmed yet.

Previously, when talking about Cate Blanchett's cameo and the future of Squid Game after season 3, director Hwang said he was not sure what Netflix was planning for the franchise. He, like the audience, only learned about the rumors surrounding the American version of Squid Game through articles on the Internet.

"The final scene is very short, and it only has one line," Hwang revealed, "So we needed an actress with enough class and grace to own the entire scene. Cate Blanchett was the name that came to mind. I've always been a fan of hers. Cate is someone who can instantly grab someone's attention with just one look. That's why we cast her."

There are now reports that the American version of Squid Game will be directed by David Fincher, with Cate Blanchett as a recruiter. This information, although unconfirmed, has also received the support of director Hwang.

Although Netflix has not officially confirmed any information about the US version of Squid Game, a series of speculations about the potential cast are making the global audience extremely excited. Among them, the two most mentioned names are Leonardo DiCaprio and V (member of the group BTS).

Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio has been rumored to be starring in Squid Game since season 3 of the Korean version. Although director Hwang Dong-hyuk once said that he has "no plans to collaborate right now", he did not hide his interest in having the opportunity to invite the star to a future film.

Meanwhile, V (BTS) was "named" by the international online community after a series of intimate photos between him and the director.

One theory circulating on international fan forums suggests that V could be playing the only player from Korea – as a way to extend the symbolism and Asian roots of the Squid Game franchise. If this comes to fruition, his character could take on a unique role, with a “cultural metaphor” element, similar to how the characters in the Korean version have represented many social classes.

In addition, V's appearance can also attract a large number of young audiences, especially K-pop fans - a powerful fan base capable of creating a global social network effect in just a few hours. This is a strategy not unfamiliar to Netflix as the platform increasingly invests heavily in Asian faces in international projects.

The fact that Leonardo DiCaprio and V are both being considered for the US version of Squid Game – albeit in very different roles – shows Netflix’s great ambition to globalize this brand. The combination of American drama cinema and Asian cultural colors promises to take Squid Game to new heights, not only in terms of revenue but also in terms of artistic value.

Squid Game 3 trailer: NSX crossed out V's name and 1 Hollywood male star, taking advantage of BTS? Hoàng Phúc09:08:21 11/05/2025Less than six months since the second season, Netflix has released the first trailer for the third season of Squid Game, which is expected to be the final season. Notably, in the cast there was no appearance of 1 artist who was once rumored.