What does Elon Musk have to do with Squid Game? The show's creator reveals the surprising connection

The final season of Squid Game, which premiered on June 27, has sparked intense debate—not just for its shocking conclusion, but also for its striking parallels to real-world power dynamics. At the center of this conversation is none other than tech billionaire Elon Musk.

Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has openly compared the show’s mysterious and powerful VIPs to modern tech moguls like Musk. In earlier seasons, these masked elites remained in the shadows, watching desperate contestants battle to the death for prize money. But in Season 3, the VIPs take a darker turn—trading their seats in the viewing gallery for roles as guards and executioners.

"Elon Musk is everywhere these days, right? Everybody talks about him," Hwang remarked told the Times. Drawing a direct line between fiction and reality, he explained that the system's puppet masters are no longer hiding behind curtains.


“In the past, those who truly controlled the system stayed hidden, like part of some invisible conspiracy,” Hwang said. “But that’s no longer the case—especially in America. Today’s power players take off the mask and proudly show the world who’s in charge.”

Hwang believes Squid Game mirrors this shift. Billionaires, especially tech leaders, are now more visible and vocal about their influence—publicly supporting political figures, shaping economies, and even becoming pop culture icons.

“They no longer whisper from the shadows,” Hwang said. “They declare: ‘We’re running the system.’”

The show’s conclusion, which sees a baby declared the winner, has stirred strong reactions online. While some fans were frustrated that the VIPs seemingly escaped justice by blowing up the island, others defended the ending as a stark commentary on unchecked greed and systemic corruption.

“I didn’t like that all those souls died for nothing,” one viewer posted. “The villains got away.”

But another countered: “The whole series is a message—greed always wins, no matter how much justice you chase.”

Hwang defended the creative choice, saying the baby symbolized hope and the possibility of change. “It’s a reminder that we owe the next generation a better world,” he said. “That’s what Squid Game has always been about.”

Despite its deeper message, the finale had a bumpy launch—some fans reported Netflix outages just minutes after the episode dropped. Screens displayed error messages like: “Something went wrong. Sorry we’re having trouble with your request.”

Still, technical hiccups aside, the show has reignited conversation around capitalism, power, and the very real figures—like Musk—who dominate the systems we live in.