1 October 2021, 16:35 | Updated: 7 October 2021, 13:53
By Capital FM
Here’s what you need to know about the story behind Netflix’s Squid Game.
Squid Game is the latest series to have pretty much everyone glued to their TV screens as the K-drama is already on its way to break some serious records!
The nine-part thriller has us hooked on the storyline, which sees contestants compete in a dark version of children’s playground games in order to win a huge sum of money, with those who lose instantly killed.
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The series has raised a lot of questions amongst fans - with many dying to know if Squid Game is based on a true story?
Here’s the lowdown…
Squid Game promo reveals behind-the-scenes of the glass bridge game
You’ll be relieved to know that the series isn’t inspired by any real-life similar events, as there’s been no game show in which contestants have been forced to compete in a series of deadly games.
Creator of the show Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed that he actually drew inspiration for the series from watching Japanese anime over the years and combined it with his love for traditional playground games to come up with the idea.
He told Variety: “I freely admit that I’ve had great inspiration from Japanese comics and animation over the years. When I started, I was in financial straits myself and spent much time in cafes reading comics including ‘Battle Royale’ and ‘Liar Game.’
“I came to wonder how I’d feel if I took part in the games myself. But I found the games too complex, and for my own work focused instead on using kids’ games.”
Squid Game, however, is a real game that was popular amongst kids in Korea during the 1970s and 1980s, which is similar to hopscotch.
Hwang told this publication: “This is a story about people who used to play this game as children and return to play it as adults.
“It was one of the most physical and it was also one of my favourite games. I felt that this game could be the most symbolic children’s game that could represent the kind of society we live in today.”
FAQs
Was the Squid Game based on a true story? ›
The back story of Squid Game's protagonist, Seong Gi-hun, is a fictionalized retelling of the violent 2009 clash between car manufacturer Ssangyong and 1,000 of the over 2,600 employees Ssangyong laid off.
How much of Squid Game is true? ›The Squid Game was actually a real game played by kids and popular in Korea in the 70s and 80s. Here is a guide on how to play the kids' game.
Who wins squid games? ›Sang-woo, who came this far, sacrificing his sense of decency and humanity in order to win, plunges the knife into his own neck, doing the deed for Gi-hun. His dying wish is for Gi-hun to take care of his mother, and, unwillingly, Gi-hun becomes the winner of the games, though his triumph is hollow.
How do you join the Squid Game in real life? ›To sign up, players must record a one-minute long video about themselves explaining why they want to be on the show, what their "game plan would be," and what they would use the cash prize for if they won.
Is Squid Game about game theory? ›This paper uses Netflix's dystopian Korean-language drama series Squid Game(2021) to illustrate an active learning technique to support the teaching of game theory in undergraduate courses. The series is chosen because it demonstrates different games with which the characters have to engage as part of the narrative.
How huge was the Squid Game? ›Netflix's Squid Game was even bigger than you thought -- 2.1B hours big.
Who is player 001? ›Oh Il-nam (Korean: 오일남), also referred to as the Host or Player 001, is the main antagonist of the first season of the South Korean Netflix drama Squid Game. At first, he seemed to be an ordinary old man who got to participate in the Squid Game as a destitute player.
Why did 456 not get on the plane? ›The massively popular Korean survival drama concluded its buzzy first season with Seong Gi-hun, a.k.a. Player 456 (Lee Jung-jae), deciding not to get on a plane to see his daughter; instead he turned around on the jet bridge to seek revenge on the sadistic game that almost cost him his life along with the other 455 ...
Why did the old man create Squid Game? ›He, with the help of other wealthy elite, set up the Squid Games decades ago. 001 set up the games because he and many of his rich friends were bored, no longer able to enjoy life as their wealth made their days too easy.
Why do people join the Squid Game? ›Each player is revealed to have been recruited because they're documented as having massive debt, implying they'll be desperate enough to risk their lives for money.
Where do the Squid Game people live? ›
This island is somewhat mysterious, but diligent researchers discovered that it is actually Seongapdo island. Part of the Ongjin province, Seongapdo is located off of South Korea's west coast. It is as remote as it looks, being “uninhabited except for a few fishermen and without electricity.”
Who lives through Squid Game? ›Out of the players, it is only Gi-hun - who wins the games - who makes it to the end of the series. Sang-woo, Sae-byeok, Abdul Ali, Deok-su, and Mi-nyeo are all killed during the games.
What happens if you pick red in Squid Game? ›In the beginning of the drama, when Gi Hun plays the Ddakji game with the salesman, he chooses the blue card. But there was also an option to choose the red card. So if you choose a blue card, you're a player, but if you choose the red card, you're a guard.
What would happen if Squid Game was real? ›It would be deemed illegal, and there would be attempts to shut it down. But when you've gotten mega corporations and the ultra wealthy funding it, including its protection detail and weapons, it's likely going to be more like dealing with North Korea or Iraq.
Is there a moral to Squid Game? ›Squid Game tells the story of people who are struggling with financial issues due to poor choices in life. Spending wisely simply means having the knowledge and confidence to make the most of your money. No matter how big or small your income is, not overspending is a critical habit to get into.
Who is the guy in the Squid Game? ›Seong Gi-hun, also known as Player 456, is the main protagonist of Squid Game. He is portrayed by South Korean actor, businessman and model, Lee Jung-jae.
How long did it take to do Squid Game? ›Squid Game director and creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has said that it took over 10 years for the Netflix series to be made.
Why is it called Squid Game? ›Squid, also known as ojingŏ (Korean: 오징어), is a children's game played in South Korea. The game is named as such because the shape of the playing field drawn on the ground resembles that of a squid.
Does 456 win squid games? ›The main span of the games started around June 26 to June 30, 2020, while the first game occurred around June 10, 2020. A total of 456 players participated in the competition, and the winner was Seong Gi-hun, also known as Player 456, who earned the total prize money of ₩45.6 billion (equivalent to $37 million USD).
Does the girl survive in squid games? ›Another of Squid Game's most tragic deaths, Sae-byeok meets her end in the penultimate episode of the season. First, she gets impaled with a broken shard of glass after the remaining tiles shatter at the conclusion of the glass bridge game.
Who is the mastermind in Squid Game? ›
Like any organization, Squid Game has a mastermind behind it. That title belongs to Oh Il-nam, or 001, who does not wear a mask but “masks” his true nature by posing as a willing participant in the games.
What did the winner of Squid Game win? ›The winner of Squid Game: The Challenge will receive a US$4.56-million prize (over $5.9 million Canadian). In this game, Netflix claims, “the worst fate is going home empty-handed.”