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Jonathan West

The Popularity of Squid Games


Squid Games has taken the internet by a storm, attracting a huge following and lots of popularity. Photo by Jonathan West

With Squid Games being released recently, it has become the most popular show as Netflix reports they’ve had a “jump in users,” 4.4 million to be exact, and has become the number one program in 94 countries. With the plot based in South Korea, the show offers subtitles in 31 languages and dubs in 13 languages according to The Wall Street Journal. The language barrier clearly did not stop the popularity of the show. Although the show, not intended for the faint of heart as it includes lots of murder and inappropriate scenes, it definitely has a plot.


The name Squid Games sounds innocent, right? The players receive a card with a circle, triangle, and square on one side, and a number on the other that the card receiver would call if they wanted to play. The players who called the number would be picked up along with others in a white van with a masked person driving. The person in the mask then released a gas that makes the player pass out. Then they drive onto a boat that takes them to an island where they wake in numbered jumpsuits, and have their pictures taken.

The moment in the show where things took a turn happened as the first game “Red Light Green Light '' occurred. It included a massive statue of a little girl with cameras for eyes. The rules of this game include that the contestants walk when they hear “green light” and stop when they hear “red light”. The statue's eyes would track the movement of players after the words ``red light” had been spoken. Players who failed to follow directions or continued to move after “red light” had been spoken would be eliminated. Players who lose get shot and killed instantly after losing.


The most popular game from the show called “Dalgona'' has blown up on TikTok and YouTube, becoming a game played all around the world. Originating in South Korea back in the 1960’s, the game consists of melted sugar mixed with a pinch of baking soda. Contestants in the show pick a shape like a star, circle, or umbrella. The shape chosen will be the shape engraved into the sugar mix and the player must use a needle and cut out the shape without breaking it. The rest of the games in the show include playing marbles, tug of war, and flat out having players kill each other and whoever survives in the end passes the round. Squid Games definitely gears towards older teens but it proves easy to see why the show has become extremely popular.


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