The Squid Game is a South Korean survival drama series that has taken the world by storm. The main character, Seong Gi-hun, is a financially troubled man who is unwittingly drawn into a race to the death along with 456 other individuals experiencing various financial and personal challenges. The Game is a sinister series of traditional Korean children's games with deadly penalties for failure. Set in a mysterious and eerie atmosphere, The Squid Game takes place on a remote island under the watchful eye of masked men in red uniforms, while the green jumpsuited players are reduced to their primal survival instincts. The series explores the themes of capitalism, human greed and survival. It paints a powerful picture of the desperation and effort people can go to when cornered by debt and poverty.
The series also explores elements of betrayal, sacrifice, teamwork and survival in the face of loss of humanity. In addition to serving as death traps, games are also metaphorical representations of the real world, where the weak are oppressed and the strong exploit it to their advantage. The Squid Game is a chilling portrait of the cruelty that can arise from desperation and the resilience of the human spirit. The series reaches its climax with the promise of more revelations and confrontations.