Squid Game Season 3 Shocker: Why a CGI Baby Was Used!

Warning: The following contains detailed spoilers about the latest season of Netflix’s “Squid Game,” now available for streaming. If you haven’t watched it yet and prefer to remain unspoiled, you should consider stopping here.

It wasn’t unexpected, as a trailer had already disclosed: indeed, the baby belonging to player number 222 in the final season of Squid Game was born during the game. This baby girl, although unintentionally, played a critical role and evoked the cruelty of other players and the VIPs watching the games.

The Baby’s Significance in Squid Game Season 3

Many viewers have questioned the decision to use a computer-generated infant instead of a real baby. However, this choice was driven by practical reasons, including laws that regulate filming conditions involving children such as scheduling and increased safety measures on set.

As any parent knows, children are highly unpredictable. It’s hard to anticipate a baby’s mood on the day of shooting, their crying fits, or sleep schedule—all factors that could cause significant delays in a major production like Squid Game.

While it might have been simpler to exclude a baby from the show, series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk explained the baby’s presence was essential for its symbolic value. “In our story, the baby represents not only human conscience but also the future generation for whom we need to amend our ways,” he shared with the Hollywood Reporter.

Behind the Scenes: Filming with the Baby

Lee Jung-Jae, the lead actor of the series, who becomes the baby’s protector until the end of the games, explained how the baby influenced his performance. For the filming, an animatronic doll was created with movements and lifelike expressions that helped him embody his character, Gi-hun Seong.

“When I first read the script and came across the baby’s birth, I was also shocked—I thought it was a fantastic element in the story,” he told Variety. “As for the special effects, we actually used a robot designed to mimic the shape and weight of a real newborn. This robot had genuine facial expressions. It moved like an infant, and its weight was very realistic. It greatly assisted in my acting.”

All three seasons of Squid Game are available now in full on Netflix.

Check out the list of series currently available on the platform!