Squid Game: The Challenge | Mai REACTS to WINNING! (Exclusive)

'Squid Game: The Challenge's Mai chats with ET's Ash Crossan about winning season 1 and reveals her plans for the $4.56 million grand prize. The 55-year-old reflects on her Rock, Paper, Scissors game against Phill, recalling the anticlimactic vibe behind the scenes after finally opening that vault door. Looking back on her gameplay, Mai breaks down her strategy and shares what surprised her the most while living in the dormitory. Mai also describes her recent conversation with TJ, whom she called untrustworthy before he later saved her from elimination. Plus, she offers advice for contestants in season 2. 'Squid Game: The Challenge' is streaming now on Netflix.

[@trigi1427]

I totally supported Mai’s nomination of Ashley. She didn’t help in a team game agreement and then acted like she did all she could. Talk about victim behavior Edit: I really wish the person behind Ashley didn’t jump and just waited on her to make it to the end like she did to Trey LOL

[@BerryBluePies4UuU]

When Mai explained to Ashley face to face why she nominated her and Ashley totally gaslighted her saying she did something completely different than what we all saw…like omg…

[@bloo-]

Yeah it was like everyone just forgot what she did by the next challenge like are y'all dumb I'll never forget that selfishness.

[@Hakeem597]

The thing is, she remonstrated against the agreement...she never agreed to it....she told the rest of them that before they went ahead with the plan.

[@hansolo5330]

⁠​⁠@@Hakeem597but she never spoke up that she didn’t agree to it. And only til Trey asked was she like nah you can keep going. What Mai did by choosing Ashley was exacting the balance of fairness and justice for Trey.

[@BerryBluePies4UuU]

@@Hakeem597 well she should have said so louder or something, you can’t just complain at the last second when the majority agrees on something

[@patrickp6676]

She’s one hell of a tough cookie. Her human behaviour intelligence is amazing.

[@0211lilyify]

💯

[@user-tf1ub1dw6c]

yeah. imagine 278 win the game not Mai. it's terrible

[@nicolecomfort-mcdermott4743]

That the other players didn’t understand her decision to nominate 278, because of her self-centered decisions in the previous challenge says everything about the other players. It speaks to the low EQ, poor observation of human behavior and vulnerable to manipulation the others are.

[@JesusSavesSouls]

@@nicolecomfort-mcdermott4743 Tbh I think she’s was just a snake and knew what one looks like.

[@d-train510]

She was a lying snake

[@Kushncorinthian]

What a freaking BALLER. She felt like the only real person in the final 12, she made big moves and it all payed off. love this for her❤

[@iris089]

Not all. She basically skipped 2 rounds both given by TJ.

[@Kushncorinthian]

@@iris089 making relations with the right people is part of the game

[@iris089]

@@Kushncorinthian It could be. But the structure of the game is more of a social game than actual games vs players towards the end. I still think Mai got lucky towards the end with how many skip she had.

[@rubiirae]

@@iris089 actual games have different elements to them. you're just too dumb to comprehend the nuances.

[@JesusSavesSouls]

@@iris089She knew how to deceive and get people in her favour.

[@KM-uo7ye]

Mai deserved to win. She’s the only one who stood up for 301 to nominate Ashley. Even though she knows it would bring her in shit. Everyone else only stayed silent. We need more people like Mai in the world now. Stood up for justice

[@kerezik5093]

it was incredible how she could read people, sniffing out the nomination in the circle game and guessing rock paper scissors all the time really made her deserve to win.

[@its_eli]

She made the season worth watching.

[@RayMak]

She's so humble and nice!!! and Extremely Generous

[@kmk900___]

She wasn't humble backstabbing the dude who trusted her lol

[@bensocrazy7264]

@@kmk900___facts. She is the snake of the game

[@d-train510]

Lies she was a coward and a snake that got lucky plus her being Asian helps too

[@bensocrazy7264]

@@d-train510 facts

[@rahrety]

ur a grown boy go do ur job@@bensocrazy7264

[@KpopListener]

I wanted Mai to win. Liked her as a person except when she didn't trust the coach. I think his name was TJ

[@gianninni]

But she apologised

[@hoonchoi9255]

I think that can happen to anyone in that environment. I think it would be hard to trust anyone in there. Also when she realized that she was wrong about him, you can see that she changed her thinking towards TJ. I was also really happy that Mai won!

[@ermeeleer]

I read somewhere Mai said the producers edited her comments from earlier to make it look like she distrusted him and then did a 180 🧐

[@OldKozzyarchive]

Yet she was a backstabber

[@OldKozzyarchive]

@@JetskiPH Not all 😂 she was the main backstabber that acted all innocent and nice crying every minute

[@vishnu0192]

A well deserved win!

[@d-train510]

Not deserving she piggybacked of the guys and was a snake

[@blink_7179]

@@d-train510 snake?? How 😐

[@jenetofilas9563]

At first , I'm rooting for TJ, Chad , Bee ,Rick and Stephen and Trey and his mother and Mai.. I ended up crying over the glorious winning of Mai❤️

[@Jdawnsha]

Factsssss

[@baxoutthebox5682]

It was Bee, Mai or Trey for me. I celebrated Mai winning more than I celebrated the Rangers winning the World Series.

[@hansolo5330]

When i heard her story about being in Vietnam during the fall of Saigon, I already knew that she understands survival.

[@mindybunny]

Her backstory is incredible.

[@mexicanvanilla_629]

I called it at episode 4 that mai was going to win! She deserved it. What a bad ass lady, i was so stoked for her when she unlocked that safe. Pretty excited for season 2

[@hazecliff7173]

I’m just happy she won just so 278 can get pissed at herself.

[@tiffyniffy9600]

AMEN!! Was looking for this comment

[@calixtopinugu4191]

L 278

[@blackdesign8197]

287 & 278 is like the best and the worst. Angel & Devil. lol

[@KM-uo7ye]

Can’t agree more and she said that’s Karma🤣🤣🤣

[@hansolo5330]

278 should have been eliminated on the plank. Her getting eliminated two rounds later was her final destination moment.

[@MsFlores2324]

I’ve never been so happy for any win!!!! A joy to watch!!

[@d-train510]

Only cowards and snakes would like her play

[@kenrock2]

she nailed it the last game...

[@prateekghosh7962]

the shade Mai threw on 432 😂😂😂

[@MrRayrenz]

I was totally rooting for Mai. So glad she won. She's a tough and strong woman.

[@msita6006]

You were amazing Mai. Congratulations!

[@theguntersadopt3268]

She was my number 1 vote when she got introduced

[@LosAnggraito]

not 'just like 432' 😂😂 i love mai lmao

[@rosieodonnell3143]

delighted that she Won ..Well Done Mai xx

[@StellarSoulSage]

I feel that she has very strong intuition aside from her intelligence

[@esthertemi416]

True she been asian would help as well. They look less suspicious, and also they usually have strong intuitions

[@cupidchr1s]

⁠​⁠@@esthertemi416wha

[@ramsam4522]

I think it was because of her being an adjucator at the DHS, she knows how to read people and tell who’s lying!

[@ubettaeat4303]

Yesssssssssssssss I am so so so so proud of her

[@BT-rf7qt]

Very happy for Mai! 👍👏

[@Wealth_Wave_Media]

Yeeeey Congrats 🎉

[@YamiJai]

I wanted Bee to win but Mai and Phil were the 2 others I wanted to win but I was slightly rooting for Mai more cause she totally deserved it she was one of the only people that was competitive but also fair and used strategy in every game, everyone complains about how some games were all about luck but they weren’t really if you think about it they all involve strategy and skill in some way and Mai used that to her advantage, the only thing I didn’t like about her is that she talked bad about TJ but I can see why she thought he was sketchy but at least she admitted she was wrong and even thanked TJ for helping her win

[@firebird4269]

I love that Mai won, but Bee would have 100% won if she didn't nominate herself. I LOVE HER. She is a GENIUS... WHY did she do that to herself???

[@havingfunhero]

Bee would of won because she is so smart, bee should of nominated mai

[@Sophie_Ray_Stevenson]

She was soooo the right person to win the money

[@user-sm3vq9yr4l]

Well deserved Mai! Congvratulations !

[@joylorzano3505]

God really knew that Miss Mai deserved to Win!! God is with her because she has a heart to help less fortunate child and shes not greedy for money.... Congratulations Mai!! God Loves you so much!!!❤

[@charlesiovino7255]

Congratulations mai

[@baxoutthebox5682]

I am a massive fan of Mai, she reminds me of a colleague and friend who is very wise and observant but also sweet and simultaneously serious. Complex but also utterly likable (unless you’re an idiot like Ashley).

[@baxoutthebox5682]

Being a NAVY vet absolutely taught her respect, humility, cleanliness, and endurance.

[@ooooolooooo]

There is a round where she could guess who put the boxes in front of her. At that time i knew she would win. So smart

[@4xphan661]

Congratulations, Mai!!! You deserved it

[@Gfabu]

They really tried to make her the bad guy for playing the game smartly 😂 she ginuinely cared for most and tried not to put 100%trust in strangers as you can bond quickly with in closed spaces and experience but you often forget they are your competitors at the end of the day. She deserved it and though many of my favs or people that felt like the main characters didnt make the finals, i respect her.

[@swiftie08]

A well-deserved win!

[@ManayCielo]

Her saving grace was TJ.that is real grace she doesnt deserved to be hand picked by TJ because of how she talk about him badly but then TJ is a real kind person..he stand with her till th end whe tj also pick her to get the number 20 in glass bridge challenge..2x tj secure her spot in the finale. It will not hurt if she remember tj and give him a pecks of her winnings.

[@cedricjenkins8715]

Wow you it rite on .

[@Kyle2516]

Yup. I felt Mai made a lot of snake moves in this game. She talked bad about TJ, whereas TJ.had major adoration for her.

[@esthertemi416]

True. Even chad as well i began wondering why they like her so much lol. I hope she gives TJ something cause she owes him alot he picked her to join 11 and the last to cross the bridge as well.

[@KNV281]

Yess I hope she gives him money too he really looked out for her

[@baxoutthebox5682]

BS, she trusted him completely only after he showed through Actions, not Words, that he was who he said he was. She’s a critical thinker, and only a fool would impugn her for that.

[@coolsindy3457]

Ngl they focused on mai so much in the last few episodes so it wasnt surprising that she won but tbh she deserved it

[@vf0009]

She should thank the player that gave her the last number on the bridge.He was the hey for her

[@derekbeta]

GLAD SHE WON

[@ProfessorSetterby]

Rooted for you Mai❤

[@Hakeem597]

and she is a veteran! I like what she said...respect each other...you notice the ones who were arrogant...got eliminated pretty early....

[@llw2606]

Arrogant people are usually stupid

[@leotang2818]

I would've been ok with Mai or Phil winning, they were both deserving!!! I was happy with both of them making it to the finals.

[@elianalia1082]

Great actress. Great Winner.

[@thegoons3415]

She does look rich now

[@user-sf9gs2pg1b]

Yeah, despite not receiving the money. I’m guessing she wasn’t allowed to wear makeup on the show and thus appears younger.

[@evildisaster8149]

Oh mai! Oh mai!

[@tuxonchaserwx]

I just gave her and her husband a lyft ride in Tucson. They were a blast to talk to. Best wishes to them.

[@lynnmitch]

PLEASE EDIT THE TITLE you spoiled it for me!!

[@Reborn-5778]

Shoutout to TJ

[@x3Stoopid]

Yayyyy! So glad she won! Goooo, Mai! I was rooting for you!!!! 👏👏

[@ghnbtrcv8672]

Give TJ some money he is huge part of you winning!

[@singlespeedsoulja8415]

Mai is a total.badass. totally deserved it

[@violetsun2343]

She’s not received the money yet after two months of waiting .

[@scotthasanosebleed]

Ten months actually! But in 99% of reality competition shows the winner/s don’t receive their money until 30 days after the finale airs. I’m assuming this is the same in Mai’s case

[@JoeGunawanfotosiamo]

It makes sense that she doesn't get it until the finale, otherwise people around her will suspect that she won if she all of a sudden splurge, retire, etc.

[@danielmpr]

any reason why?

[@lyozixv]

That’s how that works in most reality shows. It’s a non-news, why are people surprised about that?

[@ji94games]

You cant give the winner the fund right before the final show bc families and friends will spoil it

[@simonesalcini4555]

I'm so happy of Mai for her win, she totally deserve it ❤ Sure I feel sad about Phil didn't win but she's a deserved winner 🥇

[@justintime4storytime]

I was player 154! Check out all my exclusive interviews with the PLAYERS as they "TELL ALL" what really happened!

[@TheUsmarine101]

I hope she sent TJ some money.

[@proudream]

Apparently the winner is not allowed to share the money with other contestants, it's part of the contract they signed.

[@lastofusclips5291]

@@proudream that makes sense.. the players can make a deal during the game to share/split the money in exchange for favors which goes against the spirit of the game

[@evildisaster8149]

​@@lastofusclips5291what is the spirit of the game and in whose views and perspectives?

[@ligerman1288]

@@proudream She earned her money. She can do what she wants with it

[@lastofusclips5291]

@@evildisaster8149 meaning you win the game by playing the game, not by any outside incentives which includes the prize money. to see where i am coming from, next time you play a friend in a game, offer a cash reward for them to throw the game. the game then becomes about something other than the game itself. that's what i mean.

[@Loveilis]

Can we get every member to react to their final moment?

[@arcangelmaaze7804]

I was careful by not getting on social media until I watched it.

[@WMarts]

Same 😂😂

[@StellarSoulSage]

Exactly . Smart people do that and here we have unhappy people due to the spoiler title of this . 😅

[@user-sf9gs2pg1b]

⁠@@StellarSoulSage it’s because some people are subscribed to this channel or even just watched one video from them and scroll through only to see a spoiler on their recommended page. What should they do? Avoid KZbin entirely until they can watch this? I personally didn’t get spoiled, I’m just saying.

[@laurynh5847]

What shape dalgona did Mai have?

[@YamiJai]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="552">9:12</a> I love how she brought up Player 432/Bryton cause it’s true he was so impatient and thought he was better than everyone there just cause he’s an “athlete”, he didn’t deserve to even be there he was cocky asf yet he says “I’m not cocky, I’m confident” like b*tch stfu that wasn’t being confident he was literally the most cockiest person there and look were that got him, the dude even dropped out of collage cause he really thought he was gonna win🤦🏻‍♂️😂, every time he was on the screen I got so annoyed and heated and just was begging for him to be eliminated, I’m so surprised no fights happened on the show cause some of the Players I couldn’t stand like Bryton, Ashley, Lorenzo, etc like I would’ve been swinging at all of them if I saw them doing all that bs in the shoe if I was a Player on the show cause I can’t stand people like all of them, Mai truly deserved her win she played fair and with strategy in every game and like she said she lived for so long that she has experience on how to read people

[@dennishopper2701]

You will be spoiled without having seen the video. Please change the thumbnail and title.

[@sharkteddy2177]

She lives in the same town that I do! Fairfax county Virginia )

[@decarvalhoquintasnora8785]

❤❤❤❤❤vous êtes la gagnante vous méritez mais j’ai remarqué que vous étiez aidé plusieurs reprises 😊😊😊😊😊

[@hera7884]

She’s like Wonder Woman now! Champion of the Amazons!!!

[@WickedXombieDigiKing]

Yes !😅 Once my pick won i felt mias energy

[@analyticalmindset]

The glow up was quick !!!

[@madern7]

4,56 mil don’t hurt don’t it 😂

[@Dee-lp7lo]

Smart and scrappy, I respect her so much 🔥

[@iris089]

But 432 was not eliminated by voting. He was eliminated in a challenge.

[@lawbinson]

The hugs must’ve been so smelly lol

[@theworldbetweenworlds4054]

She hasn't got paid yet and been 10 months since she won

[@hansolo5330]

What a great winner for an inaugural season! She’s a trailblazer.

[@rambotan5867]

My neighbor rooted for d italian guy.

[@michaelj1552]

It’s crazy she hasn’t gotten the money yet! I’d be pissed! Good thing she’s gotten a lawyer

[@user-sm3vq9yr4l]

I watched all 10 episodes ,and I'm glad you won, Mai, but I sort of felt sorry for player 130 getting eliminated after winning the advantage. It was a clever move, though !!

[@eklyptiksun]

THE SPOILERS ARE CRAZY

[@sunnytoronto5400]

Glad she won -real stand up lady

[@Mayysxm]

mai deserves this ecpecially what she went through with ashley. im so gad ashley never won!!!

[@pratibhaaj]

There was once I hated her finding her as a villain for not caring about tj when he supported her in a task and game But then when she decides to try to get rid of 278 nah screw that all forgiven

[@lawbinson]

I wonder how different the game would be if you were able to share your winnings with other contestants. But, I guess you have to replicate how in the series, you can’t since they’re dead.

[@iris089]

Technically in the real Squid Game, there could be more than 1 winner.

[@ramsam4522]

Was rooting for Mai, Phil, Leanne and her son Trey! So glad Ashley (278) was exposed by Mai!!!

[@jacktravers5049]

Deserved

[@titi006]

Mommy Sugar mai. 🤑🤑👑👑

[@azizsangar2388]

Power of money makes you look young.

[@hattorihanzo5707]

don't like her character but her backstory and the fact she won..👏

[@ligerman1288]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="108">1:48</a> Frodo is that you?

[@mario73otw42]

Y she don’t have the money yet

[@danielmpr]

Umm, hopefully that's not the real card they gave her, as they just publically put the card number for eveyone to see... they should of blurred it!

[@giannina9478]

it’s not

[@SaiKrishnan29111993]

I want trey to win. But after he got cheated or did a strategy . Then i thought it should be mai...

[@xmediaprojects6322]

Please do people a small favor? Change the title. It's a spoiler that just pops out on KZbin's feed.

[@iris089]

I want 016 Sam, 451 Phil to be the Top 2. And Mai's take on groups is wrong. Sam and Phil are in a group and they would stick to each other in the end if Sam got the Green light instead of Red. So yes, groups also do matter.

[@FiestyMMimi]

She does look rich and very young now. Tons of surgery new hair color everything. Thank goodness she got work done. Well I wanted the younger boy to win. He deserved it more. She was just a strategic player.

[@FIr3BLZ]

I wish Trey had won, but Mai was good

[@lawbinson]

Why did the food have to be so bad though lol

[@JuicyLoop]

bruuh WHY WOULD YOU SPOILED it!!!

[@Nozzinator]

W Mai, all my homies hate Ashley idc if it was a game show

[@dwallgaming7600]

Snaked her way to the top but she had to do what she had to do to protect feelings and at the end of the day only one person can win

[@sethg2797]

Way to ruin it for all of us ET. You must think we're all on the same schedule. Edit: And the "spoiler" winner interview sometimes finds its way in algorithms even though you're not actively searching for the winner.

[@dixiezobel]

Deaerving win

[@amandabomfim9530]

Thanks for the spoiler 🫠

[@christinaantoine2952]

She hasn't gotten the money yet??

[@nathanmarioperera2976]

thank you so much for the spoiler ET. you just lost one subscriber