Squid Game isn’t just something you watch, it’s something you analyse. Every scene, every line, every unnerving close-up feels like it’s hiding a clue. And now that Squid Game season three has officially ended, I am back to doing what I do best: Overthinking in the best way possible and looking for easter eggs.
This season, between the blood-soaked twists and the quietly devastating moments, the show has sprinkled in a load of visual clues that hint at what’s coming, if you’re paying close enough attention. From hidden warnings to callbacks that link all the way back to season one, the details are everywhere.
So, here are five of the smartest Easter eggs and hidden messages in Squid Game season three you probably didn’t spot.
Hidden warnings and writings on the wall
via Netflix
That same hide-and-seek round hides more than just players. As No. 333 speaks to No. 124, a Korean phrase appears behind him on the wall that roughly translates to “Be careful with love.” It’s a chillingly accurate warning, considering what follows. No. 333 ends up killing No. 120, believing she was a threat to No. 222, the mother of his child. But No. 120 was actually trying to protect her.
Later, at the final game venue, there’s a sign which translates to “safety first.” Right before they’re literally pushed off a giant pillar. Sure.
Also, the walls in the dorm had this Latin phrase on it: “Hodie mihi, cras tibi” (“Today it’s me, tomorrow it will be you”). It’s a chilling reminder that in the world of Squid Game, death is not abstract or distant.
4:56 on the clock
via Netflix
There’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment during the hide-and-seek round. As No. 456 hunts down No. 388 (the player who lied about being a marine), a timer behind him reads “4:56”, right before he strangles No. 388 to death. Dark, but symbolic. It’s a turning point, showing how far No. 456 has gone from the man who originally swore to dismantle the game.
A nod to no. 067
via Netflix
Season three brings back a few familiar faces, sort of. One of them was Kang Sae-byeok (No. 067). She was a North Korean defector who died in season one, and is honoured through a new character. Her name is Kang No-eul, another North Korean defector, this time wearing the pink guard uniform. Her name translates to “river sunset,” mirroring Kang Sae-byeok’s name, which means “river dawn.” It’s a subtle tribute to the character that stole viewers’ hearts back in 2021.
The ‘blacklist’ binder
via Netflix
While snooping through the Front Man’s records, Kang No-eul stumbles across a binder shelf labelled “Squid Archives 2024.” Tucked on the far left is one ominously labelled “Blacklist Players” in Korean but she skips right past it. What’s inside? No one knows. But you just know there’s something dark going on there.
The jacket that keeps giving
via Netflix
Remember in Season one when the mysterious No. 001 gave his jacket to No. 456? It was a subtle gesture that hinted at his deeper connection to the game. Fast-forward to season three, and No. 456 repeats the gesture. This time wrapping 222’s baby in his jacket, promising to protect it at all costs. History doesn’t repeat, but it definitely rhymes.
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