“I was dominating that game,” Mai tells EW.
“You never know, it’s a chance game … it was stressful.”
Warning: This article contains spoilers for the season finale ofSquid Game: The Challenge.
Mai.Courtesy of Netflix
Courtesy of Netflix
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Congratulations on winning!
What was the first thing you bought with your $4.56 million?
That’s it, that’s the only thing I wanted to buy to splurge on myself.
The final three on ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’.Netflix
After the steak dinner, why did you step up to push a button first?
What went into that decision for you?
I wanted to go first because you have better chances.
Mai, Phill, Sam.Netflix
It’s not a 50/50 chance; the chances [of elimination] are a lot lower.
And also I want to control my destiny throughout the game, I kept telling myself that.
That gave me leverage instead of picking left or right.
I think I did the right thing by going first.
What was your reaction when the button you pushed turned gray?
I was afraid that I’d get eliminated if anybody picked the green one.
I’m so glad I did what I did.
What was it like in the dorm after Sams elimination, and it was just you and Phill left?
It was very sentimental and nostalgic to see all the beds removed and just me and Phill.
It was mixed emotion.
So when I saw the safe I was like, “What can this be?”
Then when they announced Rock, Paper, Scissors, I felt so relieved.
About how many rounds did you end up playing?
I’m sure there are over 35 keys in there, so we probably played a lot.
We had to take a break because it went back and forth, back and forth.
How many did you win?
Because it looked like you were dominating that whole game.
And Phill can say that.
Yeah, I was dominating that game.
Because you never know, it’s a chance game of selecting the right key.
Actually, when I picked the key, I think I maybe didn’t turn it hard enough.
I was like, “Oh, it turned, but the safe door didn’t open.
Huh, maybe I didn’t win.”
And I could tell Phill was like, “Oh gosh, is that the key?”
I could feel his anxiety.
And then voila, the credit card!
[Laughs] It was only a prop [credit card].
What happened after you finally opened the safe and realized that you just won $4.56 million?
I just lost it.
Without him, I wouldn’t be winning, so he could celebrate with me.
I didn’t want to be the only person that wins this, he also wins with me.
It’s going to break one way or another.
During Glass Bridge, I found my opportunity to get the game rolling.
I saw it wasn’t teamwork when everybody’s taking chances [and Ashley didn’t at first].
And I saw that and I was like, “That’s not a good team player.
What if, in the next game, I rely on Ashley to save me?”
I couldn’t rely on her.
How did it feel seeing everyone hold a grudge against you but not against Ashley in that moment?
Yeah, it’s okay.
Everybody’s entitled to their opinion.
I worked too hard to eliminate myself.
I even said that in the game.
That’s not a challenge that I signed up for.
“It’s my bad, maybe I’ve misperceived you in a certain way.
So I want to apologize.”
You have to be apologetic and just be more humble.
No, because the finale three didn’t get a chance to talk to nobody.
If the [situation] was reversed, he would probably do the same thing.
I admired him for playing the game fairly.
Why did you decide to lie to Phill and Sam about who you eliminated?
Because I knew Sam and Phill are buddies and I’m by myself.
What didnt we see in the finale or during any other episode that you want fans to know about?
My comment of distrusting TJ was way before the bridge.
So I just learned that lesson and I told Chad I just don’t trust him.
And they used that after the Bridge and I was like, “Oh no!”
But I am glad it’s over and that TJ and I are still friends.
It’s just a game.
What was the most difficult part of the whole experience?
The personal hygiene that people lack.
I was just very startled with that.
You guys are old enough to know better."
[Laughs] It’s the mom point of view.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Squid Game: The Challengeseason 1 is now streaming on Netflix, andwill return for season 2.
