“Squid Game” (오징어 게임) is premiering this week, and we could not be more excited. A suspenseful story following hundreds of cash-strapped individuals participating in mysterious children’s games awaits. The players accept strange invitations in hopes of winning the large cash prize.
Unfortunately, they are unaware that the cost of losing is death. If the premise alone intrigues you, you are certainly not alone. Let’s check out some reasons why the series is bound to become your next favourite.
1. Best Meets Best
The creator of “Squid Game” is director Hwang Dong-hyuk who is well known for his award-winning films like “Silenced”, “Miss Granny”, and “The Fortress”. He never fails to impress no matter the genre, and his dedication to “Squid Game” is evinced by the fact that he’s been planning for it for over 10 years. In addition to the creator, talented and well-known actors Lee Jung-jae and Park Hae-soo lead the cast. Both are award-winning actors who are able to portray a wide range of characters. With Lee Jung-jae who has numerous box office hits under his belt and Park Hae-soo who continues to impress with every new role, the best director and the best talent meet through “Squid Game”.
2. A New Type of Survival
It’s impossible for all 456 players to survive and win the prize, but the suspense of who will die next and how they will die creates an exciting atmosphere full of tension and terror. While the players initially have no clue about the deadly stakes, they find out after the first game. The difference in how these players willingly partake in the games marks a stark difference with other survival genre films and series. You’ll get absorbed into the story as we see the dark side of human nature. The unpredictable events contribute to the heart-pounding entertainment as we anticipate what will happen to everyone.
3. Fun Childhood Game Twist
The games that the participants must play in order to survive are all childhood games. The juxtaposition of these games with the deadly results of losing is a stark contrast to the innocence and fun experienced during childhood. Many of the games are familiar ones we’ve played before like Red Light, Green Light. You might also learn more about some classic Korean children’s games. The relatability to the simple but fatal games adds a nice and unexpected twist in comparison to other survival genre shows. You’ll be able to reminisce about your favourite childhood games as you watch the players battle it out.
4. Deeper Plot
On the surface level, you might think that “Squid Game” has a simple plot. However, the series is actually a genius allegory that’s meant to represent contemporary society and the never-ending competition of capitalism. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s creative intent is to show the irony of how the good intentions of capitalism meant to help people live well and prosper can actually harm humans and result in brutal competition. We’ll get a strong, hard look at human nature and how everyone reacts in situations where you cannot trust anyone. There’s plenty of symbolism and deeper connections to appreciate.
5. People From All Walks of Life
There’s an extremely talented cast of actors portraying the various players and individuals in the series. Each of them have their own unique but desperate situations that lead them to get involved in the dangerous games. From gambling debt to needing to provide for their families, these characters come from all walks of life. Many of them experience an inward struggle as they come to realise that their opponents need to die in order for themselves to win the game. While we see them come to terms with this, we get further immersed in their individual stories.
“Squid Game” will debut on Netflix on 17th September.
