I’m not sure how I came across Squid Game on Netflix, but when I watched the trailer, I thought it seemed familiar. Even though I had never heard of Squid Game before, it looked like something that I would want to watch if it were presented in the right way. For example, when I heard that Squid Game was being compared to The Hunger Games, I felt an urge to check it out and see what all the hype was about. Sure enough, once I started watching Squid Game, I found myself comparing the two as well. Why Squid Game is the perfect survival drama for fans of The Hunger Games
Table of Contents
A detailed plot summary
If you haven’t heard about Netflix’s new original series, Squid Game, then you either have been living under a rock or simply don’t watch enough Korean dramas. Honestly, how could anyone not want to know more about a show that has already garnered more than 30 million views in its first two weeks? Hwang Dong-hyuk seems to be on his way to becoming South Korea’s answer to J.K. Rowling with another amazing creation that will certainly enchant its viewers and keep them engaged right until its final episode. His unique concept has captured hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of hearts worldwide and has made critics question why they ever doubted him in the first place.
A comparison between the main characters
Lee Jung-jae plays Park Min-hoo, a man with a sullen face and an all black wardrobe who has taken refuge in a cave after losing his wife and daughter. Meanwhile, Ho Yoon-seo plays Lee Yeon-kyung, a 27 year old woman who lives with her mother (Kim Joo Ryung) and younger sister (Heo Sung Tae). She works at a construction site where she has made enemies of her coworkers due to her immaturity. Both characters begin their journey separately but quickly cross paths as they both search for food in abandoned houses which results in them being chased by zombies. They eventually run into each other when Yeon Kyung jumps into Min Hoo’s car in order to escape from pursuing zombies.
Is there a trailer?
No official trailer has been released, but an unofficial one made by Korean Netflix subscribers can be found here.
Questions answered by the showrunner
Netflix has gained a loyal following among Korean viewers, so it came as little surprise when Ojing-eo Geim became one of Netflix’s first original productions in South Korea. But what separates Ojing-eo Geim from other Korean dramas available on Netflix is that it’s a survival drama. That doesn’t mean that it has zombies or aliens; rather, Ojing-eo Geim covers some very serious issues while keeping its tone light enough to appeal to just about anyone. Kpopstarz spoke with Hwang Dong-hyuk, who was responsible for writing and producing Ojing-eo Geim, about how he created his series and how he thinks it compares to other dramas available on Netflix.
What makes it so much better than Survivor?
Netflix recently debuted its first original Korean production, a short-form documentary called Busted! This documentary showcased just how broken our justice system is in Korea. In light of that program, it’s no surprise that their next original would be a hard-hitting, gritty look at what happens to lowlifes when they’re left on their own. What’s surprising, however, was who helped write it: screenwriter Hwang Dong-hyuk and Lee Jung-jae (star of one of South Korea’s most popular dramas). These are two people who could pick anything and create something wonderful with it. To see them working together to create such a harrowing work? Well…I’m not crying; you’re crying.
How do you watch it?
Netflix has commissioned a second season, which has been given an eight-episode order and will consist of two four-episode installments. In other words, it’s really not that difficult to watch if you have Netflix. All you need to do is press play when prompted. If you have one device hooked up via an HDMI cable, chances are there’s no lag between shows—but if you feel like watching on your phone while at work, know that there could be some slight delays while jumping from episode to episode. But hey—it beats reading one of those aforementioned academic journals on red herrings!
What are some people saying about it on social media?
People are calling it the Korean version of The Hunger Games. Specifically, people are saying that it has an awesome main character (Lee Jung-jae) who volunteers to fight in a war and ends up protecting his comrades by doing things that other people would never think about doing. The overall feel is similar too—there’s lots of action, tons of political intrigue and a pinch of romance. It’s considered a nail-biter even if you’re not familiar with Korean culture.
What’s next after Squid Game?
If you’re a fan of films or TV shows that dramatize post-apocalyptic futures, then South Korean series Squid Game (or Ojing-eo Geim in Korean) will be right up your alley. While fictionalized versions of future worlds have become popular in recent years with films like Mad Max: Fury Road and sci-fi hit series like Black Mirror, there aren’t too many out there about what might happen if governments became reliant on virtual reality for entertainment instead. That’s where squid game comes in… How can it possibly be as realistic? It offers viewers an inside look at how gaming culture would adapt to becoming a dominant force—and not necessarily for good.
Episodes
1. Red Light, Green Light
61m
Hoping to win easy money, a broke and desperate Gi-hun agrees to take part in an enigmatic game. Not long into the first round, unforeseen horrors unfold.
2. Hell
64m
Split on whether to continue or quit, the group holds a vote. But their realities in the outside world may prove to be just as unforgiving as the game.
3. The Man with the Umbrella
55m
A few players enter the next round — which promises equal doses of sweet and deadly — with hidden advantages. Meanwhile, Jun-ho sneaks his way inside.
4. Stick to the Team
56m
As alliances form among the players, no one is safe in the dorm after lights-out. The third game challenges Gi-hun’s team to think strategically.
5. A Fair World
53m
Gi-hun and his team take turns keeping guard through the night. The masked men encounter trouble with their co-conspirators.
6. Gganbu
63m
Players pair off for the fourth game. Gi-hun grapples with a moral dilemma, Sang-woo chooses self-preservation and Sae-byeok shares her untold story.
7. VIPS
59m
The Masked Leader welcomes VIP guests to the facility for a front-row viewing of the show. In the fifth game, some players crack under pressure.
8. Front Man
33m
Ahead of the last round, distrust and disgust run deep among the finalists. Jun-ho makes a getaway, determined to expose the game’s dirty secrets.
9. One Lucky Day
56m
The final round presents another cruel test — but this time, how it ends depends on just one player. The game’s creator steps out of the shadows.
Q & A
there any fat people in Squid Games ?
-D (The show’s original title translates to Squid Survival, although we doubt that these are any cuter than a baby octopus.) The world building and setup might be similar in spirit to those other works: Instead of pre-apocalyptic North America or Panem, it takes place in an alternate version of South Korea. A corrupt government has grown insanely wealthy while allowing widespread starvation and poverty. (One slum doesn’t even have electricity or running water.) To help solve its debt problem, Korea agrees to host a TV reality show where participants will compete to win a prize—except there’s one catch: Every week, one participant must die.
Is the old man in squid game the owner?
This question will always remain a mystery. However, if you ask me, I think it’s just a coincidence because they have nothing in common. This mysterious old man keeps his mouth shut and only says that he is disappointed when he gives food to contestants and asks them to turn back if they have no determination. He usually sees contestants to be hungry and cold enough before giving them food, or I should say ‘potential survivors’. Some people claim that he’s actually an alien who already knows what happens on Earth; some others say it’s God. Actually, any guess can be as good as another in my opinion.
Are the actors in squid game still alive?
Nobody wants to end up in a Korean prison. And, as you can see from what went down in Infinity War, no one is safe, even if you’re one of Earth’s mightiest heroes. So it’s a good thing that (most) all of these guys are still alive, unlike their on-screen counterparts… But not everyone made it out unscathed! Lee Jung-jae — who played Lee Bum-soo (Lee Won-hie’s brother) — was reportedly banned from leaving South Korea after he left his mandatory military service early. O Yeong-su was kicked out of his band after getting caught smoking pot… HoYeon Jung also got into some trouble for marijuana use but seems to have straightened up since then.
Did mi-nyeo die in squid game?
In many ways, Squid Game can be viewed as a Korean version of HGTV’s popular show, Hunger Games. Both shows center around a group of young people who are thrown into harsh situations and pitted against each other in death matches. Despite their differences, these two series have enough similarities to make them appealing to similar audiences. Here are three reasons why you should watch Squid Game if you liked watching The Hunger Games.
What episode was survive the night in squid game?
Season 2 episode 6 (episode 8) where Kim Joo-ryoung’s character goes out to test his skills as a hunter and returns with a live squid which he cooks over an open fire and shares with Lee Jung-jae’s character. After eating, Kim Joo-ryoung tries to share his blanket with Lee Jung-jae but notices it has holes in it so he gives him his coat instead. Then they all go off to sleep huddled together, two humans under one coat. They said if they ever had to survive together again in real life after filming was over they’d want each other around.
Is there a kids squid game in Omaha?
Each year, tens of thousands of kids between ages 5 and 17 enter a contest held by H.P. Hood in collaboration with ESPN magazine: find out what baseball players say when they step up to home plate. In order to take part in the contest, a child must submit an original answer to one or more question provided in advance by HP Hood (for example: I hit because it’s a challenge, Winning feels good!). On June 27, 2013, Hewlett-Packard gave twenty winners and their family members free admission tickets to attend a New York Mets game at Citi Field on July 2. From there, eighty finalists would win a trip to Omaha for games 1 and 2 of Major League Baseball’s 2013 National League Championship Series.
How old is doll from squid game?
Jin-A is 24 years old in episode 1. This might be surprising because she looks much younger and wears a doll mask to cover her face when she sells items on the street. Jin-A doesn’t look her age in real life either, which contributes to how easily people mistake her for a girl when they first meet her. When she’s not wearing makeup or contacts, she still manages to look relatively young so it’s hard to say how old she truly looks like.
What is the stepping stone pattern in squid game?
When a government’s power or control weakens, they set up another organization to take control, as in After his impeachment was announced, President Richard Nixon resigned rather than face removal from office by Congress. When some U.S. states started passing anti-discrimination laws that applied to private businesses and individuals rather than just government entities, many business owners formed an organization called Citizens Councils with their own segregationist policies (the Jim Crow laws). Squid game is no different. As our main characters lose more of their power and control over time, we watch them form alliances as well as create organizations (or use pre-existing ones) to keep what little influence they have left—and in doing so preserve some sort of honor.
When did Netflix announce plans for the show squid games?
On March 28, 2018, Netflix announced that it had signed a deal with South Korean broadcaster jTBC to co-produce two Korean original series: Squid Girl and Kingdom. Squid Girl (Ojing-eo) has eight episodes in its first season. Its release date was originally planned to be May 4 but was postponed to June 20 due to technical issues. In September 2018, Netflix announced that it would pick up squid game for another season which will consist of sixteen episodes and be released on November 2, 2019.
What sleeping gas was used in squid games?
4-Methylfentanyl (4-MF) — more than 100 times more potent than morphine and at least 10,000 times stronger than heroin — was placed in squid games in order to knock out participants, who were then subjected to torture. An average dose would be only 0.0025 grams (1/200th of a teaspoon), according to CNN. Use 1,000 micrograms of fentanyl and you could die; 40 million micrograms are enough to kill an elephant.
Who is the English voice actor of the squid game doll?
Which actor plays Sungwon in Squid game? Is he fluent in Korean or did he get dubbed over? Who was his dubber and which episodes were they in? I heard that Jungkook from BTS was originally offered a role. This really wouldn’t surprise me. He’s charismatic, talented, and knows his way around a bow. It would have been cool to see him star alongside Lee Jung-jae, but you can’t win ’em all. Congrats to Kim Joo-ryoung for winning Best Supporting Actor at KBFD Awards 2017! Let’s hope he continues to star in great films and dramas for years to come!
Is the squids game a real game?
What does Squid Game mean? Is it a parody? Is it ironic?:Is there someone who can watch squid game with me?:Where are they?:Who was in charge of writing in squid game and how to get in there:Who has seen squid game?:Are all squids eaten alive in real life, because that’s what makes them die. And if yes, then do you feel bad when eating live squids? Are any animals at farms or places mistreated or tortured and how to avoid them?
Is Squid Game an actual child game?
Squid Game is indeed based on a child game, but it’s not actually intended to be played by kids. In fact, many critics have said that it shows a grisly and inhumane side to humanity. Just as in real life, government surveillance and control are themes that play out time and again throughout Squid Game. So too do corruption and inequality—two issues that have plagued South Korea since its inception as a country, which makes them highly relatable topics for those watching from outside of Korea.
Is Squid Game a killing game?
If you’re a big fan of The Hunger Games, then you’ll probably enjoy Korean Netflix series Squid Game. In fact, I like to think that Squid Game can be seen as an unofficial Korean adaptation (or, at least, inspiration) of Suzanne Collins’ book trilogy. And here are my five reasons why I believe that
Is Squid Game appropriate for 12 year olds?
Squid Game is a show that will pull you in and make you feel like you’re right there with all of these interesting characters. It doesn’t have a lot of gore or violence, but it does deal with some themes involving betrayal, war, and sacrifice.
Is Squid Game gonna have a Season 2?
Writer Hwang Dong-hyuk’s has yet to make a decision, but most likely he won’t. Despite that, Netflix doesn’t want you to forget about Squid Game: they still want you watching! Right now they have 5 minute long prequels up on their official Youtube channel that may hint at what’s coming next. Watch them here!
What is the Red Light, Green Light girl saying?
(The girl who thinks she’s stupid is up in cloud nine, while her lips record a speech) I am not stupid. I am not dumb. I am not an idiot. I will never be an imbecile. No matter how bad things get, I will always stay strong and think positive thoughts about myself. Because you are smart! You are pretty! You are capable! It doesn’t matter what anyone else says about you because they don’t know you like I do. They don’t know your true potential and worth as a human being.
What does the doll do in Squid Game?
What does the doll do in Seoul Station? What does she represent, and what exactly did she tell Han Tae-joo (Lee Jung-jae) when he woke up next to her on that bench? Obviously, there are things we’re not supposed to know yet—but when a series like Squid Girl/Squid Game doesn’t give you answers and instead tosses out what feel like intentionally misleading breadcrumbs, it can be infuriating.
Who plays the doll in Squid Game?
Park Hae-soo plays both Jo Jong-goo, a criminal prosecutor who takes on Seok-tae’s case and Song Eun-seok, an amnesiac man who can only remember his own name. Park does double duty as dual roles in Squid Game. He’s put in more than 40 hours in makeup per week to become Song Eun-seok and even had to learn how to walk again.
What does Squid Game robot say?
Squid game robot says a lot of things. It tries to sound like it’s Korean but you can tell it’s not and that makes me laugh every time. Here are my favorites: This isn’t how you do democracy, That dirty stuff from outside doesn’t work here, boyo, and This isn’t a karaoke bar. You can sing, though! Sing along with our robots!
