Squid Game, what makes it so global?

Netflix had released its new Netflix Original Series called Squid Game and it has taken the world by storm. You can see the references to the show on all social media channels such as Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, TV shows, and so on. The show although has its moments of gore touched upon a lot of cultural aspects of Korea and has pushed interest in learning about Korea even more globally.

 

The games that are shown on the show are games that were played amongst youth in Korea during different ages in time. The first game is called Ddakji-chigi(딱지치기) where you throw Ddakji(cross-folded stiff papers) on the ground hoping to flip the opponent’s Ddakji to win. The game of red light green light(무궁화 꽃이 피었습니다) is a game where a person faces a wall and others run towards the person, trying to touch or get passed a line. If the person turns around and catches the other people moving, they will be eliminated. Squid Game or 오징어 게임 is also a game played in Korea where there are two groups, the offense and defense. The defense runs around trying to protect the space called squid head from the offense players. Tug of war or 줄다리기, which is a game most children play anywhere. This is where two groups are divided and pull on each side of the rope which ever group pulls the other group past the middle line will win. There is also the rise again of Dalgona a.k.a. Bbopgi(달고나, 뽑기). You have to break out the shape in a heated up candy without breaking any part of the shape.

 

Although there has been an increase in these games, the knowledge and awareness of social issues and global issues through Squid Game has also increased. Each character with their own background comes from struggles. A character is a foreign worker in Korea, another is a North Korean defector and all of them deal with the reality of debt which is a global issue.

 

Squid Game’s success had led it to be a top show on Netflix in 90 countries. It not only aided in the spreading of Korean culture but, has pressed upon larger issues that affect us globally.

 

 

Written by: Samantha Garcia. From New York , United States . Current 4th year student at John Jay college of Criminal Justice .Pursing an International Criminal Justice B.A and a minor in Psychology. Intern at VANK (Voluntary Agency Network of Korea)