Squid Game Champion Mai Hasn't Received a Penny of Prize Money

Player 287, also known as Mai Whelan, emerged as the inaugural champion of Squid Game: The Challenge. However, despite winning the $4.56 million prize, she has yet to receive any of the money. The final showdown was intense as Mai, along with Phill (451) and Sam (016), shared a last meal in their finest attire, indulged in steak, and conversed about their lives. But in the world of Squid Game, every pleasure comes with a price.

The trio had to press a button that would decide their fate - elimination, advancement to the final game, or nothing. Mai was fortunate, but Sam eliminated himself by selecting the square button, leaving Mai and Phill to face off in a dramatic game of rock paper scissors.

After many attempts, Mai finally unlocked the safe and discovered the "infinite" credit card, reveling in the glow of Pulp Fiction. Yet, things are not what they appear to be as she still hasn't received the money.

Squid Game winner Mai still hasn’t received her prize money

In a new interview with The Times, Mai discussed her experience on the series – and revealed she’s still waiting on her prize money from the streaming platform.

The first season's final scenes follow the contestants and end with Mai inserting her winner's card into the ATM, where she sees her balance of $4.56 million. Unfortunately, this is not entirely accurate for two reasons: she has not yet received her payout, and her winnings will be subject to taxation.

That’s not to say Mai hasn’t spent some money after her win: in addition to a new hairdo, she purchased a Ralph Lauren dress and Jimmy Choo shoes for a special Netflix event. “I still have buyer’s remorse from that, but I think it’s well deserved,” she said.

Netflix

During an interview with The Telegraph, Mai stated that she intends to use her winnings to support various causes, including local wildlife and habitat charities in Guatemala, Bolivia, and Uganda. Additionally, she expressed her desire to assist children in poverty, emphasizing her longstanding commitment to helping the underprivileged and her motivation to make a difference for underrepresented communities.

Additionally, she has expressed a desire to construct a small dock for a boat near her residence and has begun considering the idea of a retirement home in an undisclosed location. She is content with her current living situation, as it is situated by the water and provides a peaceful atmosphere. She also mentioned that she intends to focus her finances on supporting initiatives related to people, animals, and climate change, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these issues for the sake of future generations.

Squid Game: The Challenge is available to stream on Netflix now. You can check out more of our coverage below:

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Squid Game, I am thrilled that Mai emerged as the champion of Squid Game: The Challenge. Her journey throughout the competition was captivating, and her determination and resilience were truly inspiring. It is disheartening to learn that she has yet to receive her well-deserved prize money, despite the significant amount of time that has passed since her victory. Netflix should prioritize resolving this issue and ensuring that Mai receives her winnings promptly.

Mai's plans for her prize money are commendable and reflect her compassionate nature. Her intention to support various causes, including wildlife conservation and assisting children in poverty, aligns with the spirit of the show, which highlighted the struggles and inequalities faced by marginalized individuals. Her commitment to making a positive impact on underrepresented communities is truly admirable, and I hope she will be able to use her winnings to bring about meaningful change.