The Shocking True Fate Of Player 456: Who Really Won Squid Game Season 1 And What They Did Next
The winner of the brutal, life-or-death competition in Squid Game Season 1 is Seong Gi-hun, also known by his official designation, Player 456. His victory, secured in the final, titular game against his childhood friend Cho Sang-woo (Player 218), was not a moment of triumph but a profound emotional collapse that left him the sole survivor of 456 desperate participants. This article, updated for December 23, 2025, dives deep into the winner’s journey, the shocking twists that followed his win, and the critical decision he made that is the foundation for the highly anticipated Season 2.
Gi-hun’s victory was marked by tragedy and a moral choice: he attempted to stop the final game to save Sang-woo, but his friend chose suicide instead, ensuring Gi-hun would claim the astronomical prize money. The story doesn't end with the cash; it's what Gi-hun does with the 45.6 billion Korean Won (KRW) that truly defines the *Squid Game* narrative and sets the stage for the next chapter.
The Winner's Profile: Seong Gi-hun (Player 456)
Seong Gi-hun's background is crucial to understanding his actions both inside and outside the games. His profile paints a picture of a deeply flawed but fundamentally empathetic man.
- Full Name: Seong Gi-hun (성기훈)
- Player Number: 456
- Date of Birth: October 31, 1974
- Residence: Ssangmun-dong, Dobong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Occupation: Former Chauffeur, currently unemployed and a gambling addict.
- Primary Motivation: To pay off his massive debts, provide for his daughter, and pay for his mother’s medical care.
- Key Relationships: Ex-wife and daughter (who moves to the US), his ailing mother, and his childhood friend Cho Sang-woo (Player 218).
- Defining Trait: His emotional intelligence and commitment to morality, often prioritizing others' lives over his own survival, contrasting sharply with the ruthlessness of players like Jang Deok-su (Player 101) and Sang-woo.
The Deadly Games and the Final Confrontation
Gi-hun’s survival through the six deadly children's games was a mix of luck, the help of allies, and his own unexpected strategic plays. The journey was a brutal test of human nature, forcing players to confront their own morality.
The Gauntlet of Childhood Games
The competition saw 456 contestants dwindle rapidly through a series of familiar but lethal games. Gi-hun's character was forged in the fire of these challenges:
- Red Light, Green Light: Gi-hun was saved by the quick thinking of Ali Abdul (Player 199).
- Dalgona (Honeycomb): He survived by using his wits and the melted sugar trick, which was an early clue to his resourcefulness.
- Tug-of-War: Gi-hun's team, which included Kang Sae-byeok (Player 067) and Oh Il-nam (Player 001), won thanks to Il-nam's strategic advice.
- Marbles: This was the most devastating game for Gi-hun, as he was forced to play against and ultimately betray the elderly Oh Il-nam, a moment that haunted him.
- Glass Bridge: He survived due to the sacrifice of the Glassmaker (Player 017) and the final act of Cho Sang-woo.
The Tragic End of Player 218
The final game, the traditional Korean "Squid Game," pitted Gi-hun against Sang-woo. Despite Gi-hun gaining the upper hand, he decided to invoke the third clause, offering to stop the game and forfeit the prize money so they could both live. This final act of mercy was rejected by Sang-woo, who, instead of accepting the moral high ground, chose to stab himself, ensuring Gi-hun would win the 45.6 billion KRW prize.
Sang-woo's final, tragic request was for Gi-hun to look after his mother, a promise Gi-hun later honors. Gi-hun is escorted out as the sole winner, drenched in blood, his victory a hollow, traumatizing experience.
The Shocking Post-Win Twist and Season 2 Setup
The most compelling part of the Season 1 finale is what happens after Gi-hun wins. His actions over the next year reveal the true cost of the prize money and set the stage for the next season.
A Year of Unused Winnings
For a full year, Gi-hun lives modestly, refusing to touch the enormous prize money. The experience has left him emotionally scarred and unable to process the trauma, a classic case of survivor's guilt. He lives in poverty, struggling to confront his mother’s death, which occurred while he was away.
The Old Man's Revelation: The Oh Il-nam Twist
On the one-year anniversary of the games, Gi-hun receives a card inviting him to a final meeting. He is led to a hospital room where he finds Oh Il-nam (Player 001), the frail old man he thought he had killed in the marbles game. The shocking revelation is that Il-nam is not just alive, but he is the Mastermind and Host of the entire *Squid Game* competition.
Il-nam confesses that he created the games as a form of "entertainment" for the bored, ultra-rich VIPs, and he participated himself purely for the thrill of playing one last time. He challenges Gi-hun to one final, morbid bet: whether a drunken homeless man freezing outside will be saved before midnight. Gi-hun wins the bet, but Il-nam dies moments later, leaving Gi-hun with a final, chilling understanding of the elite's cruelty. This twist completely recontextualizes the entire season and the concept of the competition.
The Final Decision: The Path to Season 2
After this final confrontation, Gi-hun finally uses the money. He fulfills his promise to Sang-woo by giving a large sum to Sang-woo’s mother and takes Sae-byeok's younger brother out of the orphanage, providing him with financial support. He transforms his appearance, shedding the trauma-ridden look for a new, vibrant red hairstyle, symbolizing a new beginning.
As he prepares to board a plane to the US to see his daughter, Gi-hun spots the Recruiter (Gong Yoo's character) playing the same *ddakji* game with a new potential contestant. Gi-hun snatches the card, calls the number, and delivers a chilling message to the organizers:
"I’m not a horse. I’m a person. That’s why I’m going to stop this. I’ll find you all, no matter what."
Instead of getting on the plane, Gi-hun turns around, deciding to go after the organization and the Front Man (Hwang In-ho) to put an end to the deadly games for good. This cliffhanger is the direct setup for the *Squid Game* Season 2 plotline, where Gi-hun will be the hunter, seeking justice and revenge for the 455 lives lost.
Key Entities and Characters from Squid Game Season 1
The show's topical authority is built on the numerous, memorable characters who met their tragic ends. The following list details the most relevant entities and players from the first season.
Main Players and Their Fates:
- Player 001 (Oh Il-nam): The Mastermind/Host. Died in a hospital bed a year after the games.
- Player 067 (Kang Sae-byeok): The North Korean defector. Fatally wounded on the Glass Bridge and murdered by Cho Sang-woo before the final game.
- Player 199 (Ali Abdul): The Pakistani migrant worker. Killed during the Marbles game after being tricked by Cho Sang-woo.
- Player 212 (Han Mi-nyeo): The manipulative woman. Died during the Glass Bridge game, taking Jang Deok-su with her.
- Player 101 (Jang Deok-su): The gangster. Killed during the Glass Bridge game by Han Mi-nyeo.
The Organizers and Games:
- The Front Man (Hwang In-ho): The overseer of the games and the brother of the missing Detective Hwang Jun-ho. His fate is uncertain after being shot by his brother.
- Hwang Jun-ho: The police detective who infiltrates the game. He is shot by the Front Man and falls off a cliff, his fate unknown.
- The Recruiter: The salesman who plays *ddakji* and recruits the players.
- The VIPs: The masked, wealthy international clientele who bet on the games.
- The Prize Money: 45.6 Billion KRW, equivalent to approximately $38.5 million USD at the time of the show's release.
The Six Games:
- Red Light, Green Light
- Dalgona/Honeycomb
- Tug-of-War
- Marbles
- Glass Bridge
- Squid Game (Final round)
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