By Sarah Yoo
Desperation, a cruel sentiment. It preys on the indebted and unfortunate, driving masses to commit treasonous acts, even murder. On the brink of life, death, and humanity itself—one must come on top. But first, would you like to play a game?
Director Hwang Dong Hyuk’s “Squid Game” presents a dystopian thriller series about the bitterness of humanity in the most desperate of times. Marooned on an island, a number of kidnapped people drowning in debt are forced into a series of games based on traditional South Korean children games. Players are pitted against players, with the winner receiving 45.6 billion won* at the expense of everyone else.
“Squid Game” quickly became an international success, attracting 111 million viewers within the first four weeks of its release on Sept. 17. Its success matches the current trend of South Korean entertainment industry’s contributions worldwide, like “Squid Game’s” award-winning predecessors “Parasite,” “Minari” and BTS.
Similarly to “Parasite,” the core message of “Squid Game” is deeply rooted in human nature and the fissures of our society: in the back alleys, urban streets and worn down apartments secluded in the shadows away from public eye. The environment for heinous acts can be found in the game, an illusory world where all regular laws of society are suspended, a fit breeding place for raw greed.
Greed isn’t only present in the game itself. It follows protagonist Seong Gi Hun’s everyday life. He must take care of his elderly mother and a young child, but refuses to do so as his addiction to gambling and going out with friends take precedence over the wellbeing of his family. Only when his mother falls ill with no medical insurance to support her, Gi Hun is confronted with the reality of his own greed and shortcomings and his increasing pile of debt.
His desire to pay off his debts and support his family led him to a man, who privately transported him to the unidentified island where the games take place. Here, he will face a number of children’s games, where people are out for blood and one mistake will cost him his life.
The uncanniness of the series delights itself in its soundtrack and visuals. The bright pastel colors of the walls and shapes commonly associated with children’s building blocks accompanied by harsh bamboo flute music sheds light on the fact that as much as the games were about survival, it’s still just a game to its creators.
Although this series has a more serious tone, it is the binge worthy series for the spooky season. So lights out, popcorn’s out—let’s unravel the thrilling story of “Squid Game” together.
*won = South Korean currency
