Squid Game
Squid Game is a South Korean survival thriller television series created, written, and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, which premiered on Netflix on September 17, 2021.[1] The plot follows 456 contestants burdened by extreme debt who accept an invitation to a secretive competition featuring lethal versions of traditional Korean children's games, with the sole survivor claiming a ₩45.6 billion prize.[2] Hwang conceived the concept in 2009 amid economic pressures in South Korea, drawing from real societal issues like household debt exceeding GDP.[3] The series rapidly achieved global dominance, with its first season amassing 330 million viewers and over 2.8 billion hours watched, establishing it as Netflix's most-viewed program at the time.[4] Subsequent seasons sustained this momentum, as season 3 in June 2025 garnered 60.1 million views in its first three days, shattering Netflix records for premiere viewership and topping charts in 93 countries.[5] It earned widespread acclaim for its tense storytelling and social commentary on inequality, securing six Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe, though some critiques highlighted its heavy reliance on graphic violence and predictable character arcs.[6] Notable controversies include injuries reported during production of the related reality competition Squid Game: The Challenge, where contestants alleged hypothermia and inadequate conditions, prompting lawsuits against Netflix, and instances of real-life mimicry of the games leading to injuries among viewers, particularly children.[7] Additionally, several cast members faced personal legal issues, such as sexual misconduct convictions and assault allegations, which drew scrutiny to the production's casting choices.[8] Despite these, the franchise's cultural footprint expanded through merchandise, spin-offs, and international adaptations, underscoring its role in elevating Korean content on global streaming platforms.[4]Overview
Premise and Format
Squid Game centers on a clandestine competition involving 456 financially desperate individuals from South Korea, each assigned a player number from 001 to 456, who voluntarily enter a remote facility to compete in deadly recreations of traditional children's games for a cash prize totaling 45.6 billion South Korean won—equivalent to roughly 38 million U.S. dollars in 2021 exchange rates.[9][2] The games, overseen by masked organizers and armed guards, eliminate losers through execution, with the prize pot increasing by the deceased players' wagers as rounds progress.[10] Participants can vote after each game to either continue the contest or disband and divide the accumulated funds equally, introducing a mechanism for collective decision-making amid rising tensions and betrayals.[10] The format employs a serialized narrative structure across multiple seasons, with episodes primarily advancing through sequential elimination games that test physical, strategic, and psychological endurance, such as ddakji (a paper-flipping game), tug-of-war, and the titular ojingeo (squid game).[10] Season 1 comprises nine episodes released simultaneously on Netflix, blending high-stakes action with flashbacks revealing contestants' debts, personal failures, and societal pressures driving their participation.[2] Subsequent seasons maintain this game-centric progression while expanding on survivor arcs and organizational conspiracies, typically featuring 6 to 9 episodes per season with runtimes of 45 to 90 minutes each.[11] The production emphasizes visual symmetry, pastel-colored sets, and repetitive motifs like the circle-triangle-square guard symbols to underscore themes of dehumanization and gamified inequality.[12]Seasons and Episode Structure
Squid Game consists of three seasons produced for Netflix, with the first season released on September 17, 2021, comprising nine episodes that were made available simultaneously worldwide.[13] The second season, released on December 26, 2024, features seven episodes, also dropped all at once.[14] The third and final season premiered on June 27, 2025, with six episodes released in a single batch, concluding the narrative arc originally envisioned by creator Hwang Dong-hyuk as a limited series but expanded due to its success.[6][15] Each season follows a serialized structure centered on high-stakes elimination games among desperate contestants, interspersed with backstory development and organizational intrigue, rather than standalone episodes. Runtime per episode typically ranges from 50 to 70 minutes, allowing for escalating tension through game sequences, player interactions, and revelations about the game's operators.[13]| No. overall | No. in season | Title (English / Korean transliteration) | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Red Light, Green Light / Mugunghwa kkochi pideon nal | September 17, 2021 |
| 2 | 2 | Hell / Jiok | September 17, 2021 |
| 3 | 3 | The Man with the Umbrella / Usan-eul sseun namja | September 17, 2021 |
| 4 | 4 | Stick to the Team / Jollyeodo pyeonmeokgi | September 17, 2021 |
| 5 | 5 | A Fair World / Pyeongdeung-han sesang | September 17, 2021 |
| 6 | 6 | Gganbu | September 17, 2021 |
| 7 | 7 | V.I.P.s | September 17, 2021 |
| 8 | 8 | Front Man | September 17, 2021 |
| 9 | 9 | One Lucky Day | September 17, 2021 |
| No. overall | No. in season | Title (English / Korean transliteration) | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | Bread and Lottery / Ppang-gwa bokgwon | December 26, 2024 |
| 11 | 2 | Halloween Party / Hallowin pati | December 26, 2024 |
| 12 | 3 | 001 | December 26, 2024 |
| 13 | 4 | Six Legs / Yeoseot gaeui dari | December 26, 2024 |
| 14 | 5 | One More Game / Han pan deo | December 26, 2024 |
| 15 | 6 | O X | December 26, 2024 |
| 16 | 7 | Friend or Foe / Chinguwa jeok | December 26, 2024 |
Production
Development and Concept Origins
Hwang Dong-hyuk first conceived the concept for Squid Game in late 2008 or early 2009, amid the aftermath of the global financial crisis that severely impacted South Korea's economy.[20][21] Hwang, facing personal financial difficulties including substantial debt from a failed film project, drew inspiration from his own struggles and the broader societal competition for survival.[21][22] He envisioned a narrative allegory critiquing cutthroat capitalism and economic inequality, incorporating deadly versions of Korean children's games to symbolize the high-stakes nature of modern competition.[20][22] Originally scripted as a feature film in 2009, the project faced repeated rejections from South Korean broadcasters and producers over the next decade, who cited concerns over its high production costs and perceived lack of commercial viability.[20][12] Hwang shelved the idea temporarily to pursue other films, such as Silenced (2011), but revisited it around 2019 following the international success of Korean content like the Netflix series Kingdom.[12] At that point, recognizing the story's expansive scope exceeded a single film's constraints, Hwang adapted it into a nine-episode television series and pitched it successfully to Netflix, which greenlit production in 2019.[20][23] This transition allowed for deeper exploration of character backstories and multiple game rounds, elements deemed unfeasible in a theatrical format.[23]Writing and Creative Process
Hwang Dong-hyuk developed the concept for Squid Game in late 2008, drawing inspiration from the global financial crisis and his personal economic hardships, including debts from prior film projects.[20] Initially envisioned as a feature film script about desperate individuals competing in deadly versions of Korean children's games to address class disparity and survival instincts, Hwang completed the screenplay amid financial strain that led him to pawn his laptop and lose significant weight due to stress.[24] The script faced rejection from Korean producers and broadcasters for over a decade, cited as too politically provocative, graphically violent, or commercially unviable in the domestic market.[25] In 2019, Netflix commissioned Hwang to adapt the film script into a nine-episode television series, marking a shift from his original cinematic format to serialized storytelling.[20] This expansion required Hwang to outline the full narrative arc, incorporating deeper character backstories and escalating tensions across episodes, a process he described as more challenging than feature writing due to the need for sustained pacing and subplot integration.[26] He spent approximately six months drafting and revising the first two episodes alone, emphasizing allegorical elements like the games' roots in traditional Korean pastimes—such as ddakji, dalgona, and squid game—to symbolize societal competition and elimination.[26] Hwang's creative approach prioritized visceral realism, informed by first-hand observations of inequality in South Korea, while avoiding didacticism to let viewer inference drive thematic impact.[27] For subsequent seasons, Hwang accelerated the writing timeline, producing scripts for 13 episodes in six months starting in 2022, ultimately dividing them into Seasons 2 and 3 to maintain narrative momentum and explore unresolved threads like protagonist Seong Gi-hun's moral confrontation with the game's organizers.[28] This iterative process involved refining clashes between idealism and cynicism, with Hwang collaborating closely with the production team to align expansions of the game's lore—such as VIP observers and organizational hierarchies—with the original's critique of capitalism and human desperation.[29] Despite external success, Hwang noted the physical toll, echoing Season 1's demands, but credited the format's flexibility for allowing organic evolution from survival thriller to broader systemic allegory.[30]Casting Decisions
Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk envisioned Lee Jung-jae for the protagonist Seong Gi-hun while developing the original script in 2008, appreciating his ability to convey vulnerability and resilience from prior roles in Korean cinema.[20] For supporting roles, decisions favored a mix of established performers like Park Hae-soo, known for dramatic intensity in series such as Prison Playbook, and veterans like Oh Yeong-su, a theater actor with over 200 stage credits whose frail appearance suited the enigmatic Player 001. Newcomer Jung Ho-yeon, a former model with no prior acting experience, was selected for Kang Sae-byeok after auditions highlighted her poised expressiveness, marking her debut and contributing to the ensemble's raw authenticity.[31] The selection of relative unknowns in Western markets, including Wi Ha-joon as detective Hwang Jun-ho and Anupam Tripathi as the Pakistani migrant Ali Abdul, emphasized character-driven immersion over star power, a choice lauded by Steven Spielberg for enhancing the narrative's tension without preconceived audience associations.[32] Non-Korean actors based in Asia filled the anonymous VIP roles to underscore the games' global exploitation theme without diverting focus from the Korean contestants. For seasons 2 and 3, filmed consecutively from July 2023 to July 2024, casting retained core survivors like Lee Jung-jae and introduced fresh players including Yim Si-wan as a cryptocurrency scammer, Kang Ha-neul as a former marine, and Jo Yu-ri as a blockchain enthusiast, announced by Netflix in June 2023 to expand the ensemble while maintaining thematic desperation.[33] A controversial choice involved Park Sung-hoon, a cisgender male, portraying transgender contestant Hyun-ju (Player 120) across both seasons; Hwang defended the decision citing the scarcity of openly transgender actors in South Korea amid the LGBTQ+ community's marginalization and social stigma, stating it proved "near impossible" to find suitable talent without compromising production timelines, though he pledged improved authentic representation for minorities henceforth.[34][35] Similarly, casting rapper T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun) as Thanos, despite his 2017 marijuana conviction and prior scandals, prompted backlash, which Hwang addressed by emphasizing the role's fit for the character's manipulative traits over personal history.[36] These selections balanced returning familiarity with new dynamics, prioritizing narrative utility amid Korea's conservative entertainment norms.Filming, Design, and Technical Aspects
The principal filming for Squid Game season 1 took place across South Korea, with extensive set construction in Daejeon to accommodate the large-scale game sequences involving up to 456 extras, including facilities at the Daejeon Expo Science Park repurposed as arena spaces.[37] Urban scenes were captured in Seoul locations such as Ssangmun-dong residential areas, Namsan Mountain, and Gangnam's Yangjae Citizen's Forest Station, while Incheon International Airport and Port handled recruitment and transit sequences, and Seongapdo Island stood in for the isolated game facility.[38] [39] Seasons 2 and 3 followed similar patterns, incorporating additional sites like Tapgol Park in Seoul and Dadaepo Port in Busan, with principal photography for both wrapping by mid-2024 to enable back-to-back production.[40] [41] Production designer Chae Kyoung-sun crafted modular sets assembled like interlocking components to facilitate scene transitions and crowd management, emphasizing metaphorical elements such as sterile dormitories and playground arenas that critiqued societal structures through exaggerated scale and primary colors contrasting the narrative's violence.[42] [43] For season 2, designs expanded to include detailed interiors like protagonist Seong Gi-hun's dilapidated motel, amplifying thematic isolation with layered references to Korean urban decay.[44] Specific challenges included building the glass bridge set with real tempered glass panels elevated one meter above the ground, allowing actors to perform dynamic crossings safely without extensive CGI reliance.[45] Cinematography for season 1, led by Lee Hyung-deok, utilized handheld cameras with telephoto lenses for subjective immersion in tense moments, such as tracking shots revealing character revelations, alongside panoramic techniques for expansive game vistas like simulated sunsets.[46] Season 2 shifted to director of photography Kim Ji-yong operating the ARRI ALEXA 35 for superior dynamic range in colorful, high-contrast environments, enhancing emotional stakes through expressive lighting that heightened surveillance-like dread. The series was captured in Redcode RAW at 8K resolution, processed via 4K digital intermediate for final output, with editing by Nam Na-young incorporating rhythmic cuts synced to game mechanics for suspense.[47] Director Hwang Dong-hyuk's techniques, including bluescreen compositing for initial games like "Red Light, Green Light" in open fields, prioritized practical effects to ground the spectacle in physical realism.[20]Cast and Characters
Principal Characters from Season 1
Seong Gi-hun (Player 456), portrayed by Lee Jung-jae, serves as the protagonist, a divorced South Korean man burdened by gambling debts and child support obligations who joins the contest out of desperation.[48] Cho Sang-woo (Player 218), played by Park Hae-soo, is Gi-hun's childhood friend and a former investment banker who fled after embezzling client funds, seeking redemption through the games.[48] Kang Sae-byeok (Player 067), enacted by Jung Ho-yeon in her acting debut, is a North Korean defector and pickpocket aiming to secure funds for her family's relocation and her brother's care.[48] Abdul Ali (Player 199), portrayed by Anupam Tripathi, is a Pakistani migrant worker in South Korea who was cheated out of his wages and enters the games to provide for his family.[48] Oh Il-nam (Player 001), played by O Yeong-su, is an elderly participant with apparent dementia and physical frailty, forming an alliance with Gi-hun.[48] Jang Deok-su (Player 101), depicted by Heo Sung-tae, is a violent gangster and gang enforcer who relies on brute force and alliances in the competition.[48] Han Mi-nyeo (Player 212), performed by Kim Joo-ryoung, is the wife of a loan shark, characterized by her manipulative and self-serving behavior amid the high-stakes challenges.[48] Hwang Jun-ho, portrayed by Wi Ha-joon, is a Seoul police detective who infiltrates the organization by posing as a guard to search for his missing brother.[49] Hwang In-ho (the Front Man), played by Lee Byung-hun, oversees the operations of the deadly contest from a supervisory role, enforcing rules with authority.[50][51] The Recruiter, enacted by Gong Yoo, lures financially desperate individuals into the initial invitation process through a high-stakes ddakji game.[50][52]New Characters in Seasons 2 and 3
Season 2 introduces a diverse array of new contestants driven by personal crises, alongside peripheral figures tied to the game's operations. Key among the players is Lee Myung-gi (Player 333), portrayed by Yim Si-wan, a cryptocurrency influencer whose online scam has led to financial ruin and isolation from his family.[53] Kang Dae-ho (Player 388), played by Kang Ha-neul, is a former marine seeking redemption and potentially forming an alliance with protagonist Seong Gi-hun.[53] Cho Hyun-ju (Player 120), enacted by Park Sung-hoon, enters the competition to fund necessary medical procedures.[53]| Actor | Character | Player Number | Background/Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yim Si-wan | Lee Myung-gi | 333 | Crypto scammer YouTuber in debt, central to Gi-hun's narrative arc.[53] |
| Kang Ha-neul | Kang Dae-ho | 388 | Discharged soldier with combat skills, eyed as Gi-hun's potential partner.[53] |
| Park Sung-hoon | Cho Hyun-ju | 120 | Desperate for surgery funds, protective toward fellow vulnerable players.[53] |
| Park Gyu-young | No-eul | N/A | North Korean defector and organ trafficker hunting for her missing daughter, operating outside the player pool.[53] |
| Jo Yu-ri | Jun-hee | 222 | Young woman ensnared by fraudulent investments, navigating alliances.[53] |
| Yang Dong-geun | Yong-sik | 007 | Habitual gambler overwhelmed by debts, shocked to find a relative competing.[53] |
| Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P) | Thanos | 230 | Struggling rapper attempting a comeback through the prize money.[53] |
Release and Distribution
Broadcast and Platform Details
Squid Game is an original television series produced exclusively for Netflix, a global subscription video-on-demand streaming platform, with all seasons distributed worldwide simultaneously upon release.[9] The series employs Netflix's binge-release model, dropping all episodes at once to encourage uninterrupted viewing.[2] It is available in its original Korean language with multilingual subtitles and dubbed audio tracks in languages including English, supporting accessibility across Netflix's international subscriber base.[2] Season 1 premiered on September 17, 2021, comprising nine episodes streamed globally on Netflix without traditional linear television broadcast.[2][58] Season 2 followed on December 26, 2024, also releasing all episodes at once exclusively via Netflix.[58] The third and final season launched on June 27, 2025, maintaining the same streaming-only format and platform exclusivity.[6][58] No seasons have aired on broadcast or cable television networks, reflecting Netflix's strategy of retaining content within its ecosystem to drive subscriber retention and engagement.[59] In regions where Netflix operates, access requires a paid subscription, with viewing metrics tracked internally by the platform rather than through public broadcast ratings systems.[60] The series has not been licensed for distribution on competing streaming services or free-to-air channels, underscoring Netflix's investment in proprietary Korean-language content for global appeal.[61]Viewership Metrics
Squid Game Season 1, released on September 17, 2021, achieved unprecedented viewership on Netflix, reaching 142 million subscriber households in its first 28 days, marking the platform's biggest debut at the time.[62] By Netflix's measurement—where one view equals the total hours viewed divided by the season's runtime of approximately 8.3 hours—the season amassed 265.2 million views and 2.205 billion hours viewed globally.[63] As of mid-2024 ahead of Season 2, cumulative figures stood at 330 million viewers and over 2.8 billion hours viewed.[64] Season 2, which premiered on December 26, 2024, recorded 192 million views and approximately 1.38 billion hours viewed, securing the second position among Netflix's most-watched non-English seasons.[65] It garnered 68 million views in its opening week, surpassing the previous record held by Wednesday Season 1's 50.1 million.[66] Season 3, released on June 27, 2025, drew 60.1 million views and 368.4 million hours viewed in its first three days, establishing a new Netflix record for a season premiere.[67] Within two weeks, it reached 106.4 million views, ranking as the third-largest non-English launch ever, though overall totals trailed Season 1.[68]| Season | Release Date | Views (Millions) | Hours Viewed (Billions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 17, 2021 | 265.2 | 2.205 |
| 2 | Dec. 26, 2024 | 192 | 1.38 |
| 3 | June 27, 2025 | ~106 (2 weeks) | N/A (partial) |