Who wins Squid Game: The Challenge? (spoilers!)

Spoilers ahead for the Squid Game: The Challenge finale

Well, we’ve finally made it to the end of the wild journey that is Squid Game: The Challenge, a reality competition show based on the mega-successful Korean series that debuted in 2021 and became an international phenomenon. So, who won the $4.56 million prize?

The penultimate episode left us with three final contestants, Sam (Player 016), Mai (Player 287), and Phill (Player 451). Then in the finale, Mai ends up winning the grand prize! How did it all happen?

First, Mai, Phill, and Sam were escorted to a lavish dinner, but as we know from any other time the cast got the chance to relax and have a little treat, there was a twist. The dinner ended up including yet another challenge. Mai, Phill, and Sam were told they would each have to press one of three buttons.

One button turns gray at no impact to the player, one turns green, and one turns red, meaning the player is eliminated. The green button allows the person who gets it to choose who they will compete with directly in the final round.

Ultimately, the three players had to decide who would press the first button and Mai volunteered. She got the gray button. Sam went next and got red, eliminating him from the game and leaving Mai and Phill for the last round.

How Mai won $4.56 million

In the final game of the season, Mai and Phill essentially square-off in rock, paper, scissors as they compete to try different keys and open a safe. Mai chooses the right key and opens the safe to reveal a gold credit card loaded with her multi-million dollar prize.

After Mai wins, we see a cute little montage checking in with various other players of the game, from popular contestants like the mother/son duo Trey and LeAnn to Phill on a boat to Stephen with his family. We even get to see everyone’s favorite beekeeper, Rick, again!

The episode ends with Mai, who is now sporting a new hairstyle, checking her back account to see that crazy multi-million dollar prize. There’s also an ominous tease for Squid Game: The Challenge season 2, which is casting now.

The entire season of Squid Game: The Challenge is now streaming on Netflix.