The winner of the reality show “Squid Game: The Challenge” expressed her thoughts on winning
On December 7th (local time), Netflix revealed an interview with contestant number 287, Mai Whelan, who was crowned the winner of “Squid Game: The Challenge”.
After finishing filming for the series, Mai Whelan is spending time at home with her husband and granddaughter, taking a break. “It was a relief to go back to normal life and not worry about getting eliminated”, the contestant shared, adding, “But the person that came into [the competition] is me. I’m still Mai, and she hasn’t changed — except that I came out stronger.”
Mai Whelan, a Vietnamese refugee who left Vietnam in 1975, served in the US Navy for 20 years and is currently 55 years old. After becoming a single mother at the age of 19, she has been working as an immigration examiner at the Department of Homeland Security since 2013. Overcoming various unfavorable conditions such as gender and age, she shared the message of not being afraid and forging ahead.
Regarding her plans for using the prize money, Mai Whelan expressed concern, saying, “My heart is with people, animals, and climate change” and “If we continue what we’re doing, there won’t be a future for all the little kids growing up right now.”
On the other hand, “Squid Game: The Challenge” gained attention when over 100,000 people worldwide applied for participation in September last year. From these applicants, 456 were selected and filmed in the UK for 16 days earlier this year. Consisting of 10 episodes, the show premiered on November 22.
Meanwhile, on December 6, Netflix announced the production of Season 2 of “Squid Game: The Challenge” and revealed that they are currently recruiting participants.
