Re: Squid Game Play
Asela Buchheit
Squid Game: The Ultimate Guide to the Netflix Sensation
If you haven't heard of Squid Game yet, you must be living under a rock. The South Korean thriller series has taken the world by storm, becoming Netflix's most-watched show ever and generating countless memes, discussions, and fan theories. But what is Squid Game all about, and why is it so addictive? Here's everything you need to know about the show that everyone is talking about.
What is Squid Game?
The plot
Squid Game follows a group of 456 people who are invited to participate in a mysterious competition where they have to play six children's games with deadly consequences. The contestants are all in deep debt and desperate for money, and they are promised a huge cash prize if they survive all the games. However, they soon realize that losing means death, and that there is no easy way out of the game.
The cast and crew
The show stars Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun, a down-on-his-luck gambler who becomes the main protagonist of the series. Park Hae-soo plays Cho Sang-woo, Gi-hun's childhood friend and a former stockbroker who embezzled money from his clients. Jung Ho-yeon plays Kang Sae-byeok, a North Korean defector who joins the game to help her family. Other notable cast members include Oh Young-soo as Oh Il-nam, an elderly man who is the oldest player in the game; Wi Ha-jun as Hwang Jun-ho, a police officer who infiltrates the game to find his missing brother; and Heo Sung-tae as Jang Deok-su, a violent gangster who causes trouble for the other players.
The show was created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, who also wrote and directed all nine episodes. Hwang is a veteran filmmaker who has made acclaimed movies such as Silenced (2011) and Miss Granny (2014). He said he came up with the idea for Squid Game in 2008, but it took him more than a decade to get it made due to its controversial and risky nature.
The popularity
Squid Game was released worldwide on September 17, 2021, and quickly became a global phenomenon. According to Netflix, it reached 111 million viewers in its first 28 days, surpassing Bridgerton as the most-watched show on the platform. It also became the number one show in 94 countries, including the U.S., the U.K., and South Korea. It received critical acclaim for its gripping story, compelling characters, and sharp social commentary. It also sparked a huge online buzz, with fans creating memes, videos, fan art, and cosplay based on the show.
What are the rules of Squid Game?
The six games
The show features six games that are based on popular children's games in South Korea. They are:
- Red Light, Green Light: A game where players have to run towards a giant doll that says "red light" or "green light". If they move when it says "red light", they are eliminated.
- Dalgona Candy: A game where players have to cut out a shape from a thin piece of honeycomb candy without breaking it. If they break it, they are eliminated.
- Tug of War: A game where players are divided into two teams and have to pull a rope over a pit. The team that falls into the pit is eliminated.
- Marbles: A game where players have to pair up and play any game involving marbles. The player who loses all their marbles is eliminated.
- Glass Bridge: A game where players have to cross a bridge made of glass panels. Some panels are strong enough to support their weight, while others are not. If they step on a weak panel, they fall to their death.
- Squid Game: The final game where the last two players have to play a traditional game called Squid Game. The game involves drawing a squid-shaped figure on the ground and trying to reach the head of the squid while defending or attacking the other player.
The prize money
The prize money for the winner of Squid Game is 45.6 billion won, which is equivalent to about 38 million U.S. dollars. The money is accumulated from the deaths of the other players, as each player is worth 100 million won. The money is stored in a giant piggy bank that hangs above the players and drops money every time someone dies. The winner can claim the money after signing a contract that states they will not reveal anything about the game or interfere with its operation.
The masked men
The game is run by a group of masked men who wear black jumpsuits and different shapes on their masks. The shapes indicate their rank and role in the game. The circles are workers who set up and clean up the games, the triangles are soldiers who guard and kill the players, and the squares are managers who oversee the operation. The leader of the masked men is known as the Front Man, who wears a black mask with no shape and communicates with the players through a loudspeaker. The identity and motive of the masked men are unknown, but they seem to be part of a secret organization that caters to rich and powerful people who watch the game as a form of entertainment.
Why is Squid Game so popular?
The social commentary
One of the reasons why Squid Game has resonated with so many viewers is because it offers a sharp and timely critique of the social and economic inequalities in South Korea and beyond. The show depicts how people who are struggling with debt, poverty, unemployment, and discrimination are exploited and dehumanized by a system that favors the rich and powerful. The show also explores themes such as greed, betrayal, morality, and survival in a brutal and unfair world.
The visual style
Another reason why Squid Game has captivated audiences is because of its striking and distinctive visual style. The show contrasts the dark and violent reality of the game with the colorful and playful aesthetics of the children's games. The show uses bright colors, such as red, green, blue, and yellow, to create a contrast between life and death, innocence and corruption, hope and despair. The show also uses geometric shapes, such as circles, triangles, squares, and stars, to create a sense of order and symmetry in a chaotic and unpredictable environment.
The word of mouth
A final reason why Squid Game has become a phenomenon is because of the word of mouth that it generated online and offline. The show sparked a lot of curiosity and interest among viewers who wanted to find out more about the mysterious game and its outcome. The show also inspired a lot of discussions and debates among fans who shared their opinions, theories, questions, and emotions about the show. The show also spawned a lot of memes, videos, fan art, cosplay, and even real-life recreations of the games that went viral on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Where can I find Squid Game merchandise?
Netflix Shop
If you are looking for official Squid Game merchandise, you can check out Netflix Shop, which is an online store that sells products based on Netflix shows. You can find items such as t-shirts, hoodies, hats, masks, stickers, pins, mugs, notebooks, puzzles, and more featuring Squid Game logos, characters, quotes, and images. You can also find exclusive items such as Squid Game dolls, which are replicas of the doll from the Red Light Green Light game.
Hot Topic
If you are looking for more variety and affordability in Squid Game merchandise, you can check out Hot Topic, which is a retail store that sells pop culture merchandise. You can find items such as t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, pants, socks, shoes, accessories, and more featuring Squid Game logos, characters, quotes, and images. You can also find items such as Squid Game masks, which are replicas of the masks worn by the players and the masked men.
Amazon
If you are looking for convenience and variety in Squid Game merchandise, you can check out Amazon, which is an online marketplace that sells products from various sellers. You can find items such as t-shirts, hoodies, hats, masks, stickers, pins, mugs, notebooks, puzzles, and more featuring Squid Game logos, characters, quotes, and images. You can also find items such as Squid Game costumes, which are replicas of the outfits worn by the players and the masked men.
Conclusion
Squid Game is a show that has captivated millions of viewers around the world with its thrilling plot, compelling characters, and stunning visuals. It is a show that offers a lot of entertainment and excitement, but also a lot of insight and reflection on the society we live in. Whether you are a fan of the show or a newcomer to the game, we hope this guide has helped you learn more about Squid Game and its fascinating world.
FAQs
- Q: Is Squid Game based on a true story?
- Q: What is the meaning of the title Squid Game?
- Q: What is the significance of the number 456?
- Q: What is the song that plays during the Red Light Green Light game?
- Q: Will there be a second season of Squid Game?