Squid Game (Korean: 오징어 게임; RR: Ojing-eo Geim) is a South Korean survival drama television series created by Hwang Dong-hyuk for Netflix. The series follows a group of people in severe financial debt who risk their lives participating in a mysterious survival game with a ₩45.6 billion (US$35 million) prize.
Synopsis
In a dystopian take on modern South Korea, 456 players, all struggling with financial hardship, are invited to participate in a series of children’s games for an enormous cash prize. However, they soon discover that elimination from the games results in their death, leading to a brutal battle for survival.
Production
Development
Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk originally conceived the idea for Squid Game in 2009, but struggled for nearly a decade to find investors willing to fund the project. The script was initially written as a feature film before being adapted into a series format. Netflix acquired the series in 2019 as part of their drive to expand international content.
Filming
Principal photography took place in South Korea throughout 2020, with extensive set design creating the distinctive look of the games. The series’ unique visual aesthetic combines bright, playful colors with dark themes, inspired by children’s games and literature.
Main Characters
Seong Gi-hun (Player 456)
- Portrayed by Lee Jung-jae
- A chauffeur and gambling addict who enters the game to pay off his debts and help his daughter
- The main protagonist of the series
Cho Sang-woo (Player 218)
- Portrayed by Park Hae-soo
- A former securities broker wanted for embezzlement
- Gi-hun’s childhood friend who graduated from Seoul National University
Kang Sae-byeok (Player 067)
- Portrayed by Jung Ho-yeon
- A North Korean defector who enters the game to help her family
- Skilled pickpocket and survivor
Oh Il-nam (Player 001)
- Portrayed by O Yeong-su
- An elderly man with a brain tumor who prefers playing the game to waiting to die
The Games
The series features six main games, each based on traditional Korean children’s games:
- Red Light, Green Light
- A deadly version of the classic children’s game
- Players must reach the finish line while avoiding detection when the giant doll turns around
- Honeycomb/Dalgona
- Players must carefully cut out shapes from a brittle candy
- Any breaking of the shape results in elimination
- Tug of War
- Teams battle on elevated platforms
- Losing teams fall to their death
- Marbles
- Players must win their opponent’s marbles through any game of their choosing
- Results in particularly emotional eliminations due to partnering
- Glass Stepping Stones
- Players must cross a bridge made of alternating tempered and regular glass
- Wrong choices result in fatal falls
- Squid Game
- The final game based on a traditional Korean children’s game
- A complex physical contest played on a squid-shaped court
Themes
The series explores several major themes:
- Economic inequality in modern society
- The desperation of poverty
- Human nature under extreme circumstances
- The morality of wealth and capitalism
- The contrast between childhood innocence and adult brutality
- Class discrimination and social mobility
Impact and Reception
Critical Response
The series received universal acclaim for its originality, acting, themes, and production values. Critics praised its commentary on capitalism and class disparity, as well as its intense drama and compelling characters.
Cultural Impact
Squid Game became a global cultural phenomenon, inspiring:
- Halloween costumes and merchandise
- Social media challenges and memes
- International recreations of the games (without the violence)
- Renewed interest in Korean drama and culture
- Discussions about wealth inequality and social issues
Awards and Recognition
- Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor (O Yeong-su)
- Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance (Lee Jung-jae)
- Multiple Emmy nominations and wins
- Set
- Â Netflix viewing records for a non-English language series
Legacy
Squid Game’s success has significantly influenced the entertainment industry by:
- Demonstrating the global appeal of Korean content
- Encouraging
- Â streaming services to invest in international productions
- Inspiring new approaches to survival drama storytelling
- Creating a framework for successful cross-cultural television
The series has already been renewed for a second season that was released on Netflix December 2024 and a third season coming in June 2025, with creator Hwang Dong-hyuk confirming the development of new games and characters while maintaining the core themes and tension of the original.