Bringing an Action-Adventure Theme, Here are 5 Interesting Facts About the Latest Korean Series 'SQUID GAME'!

Kapanlagi.com - The latest series SQUID GAME will be released on September 17, 2021 and can be enjoyed through Netflix, consisting of 8 episodes. This series tells the story of 456 young and old people who will participate in a mysterious game in order to win a prize of 45.6 billion won (equivalent to Rp. 555,891,360,000,000). All challenges are presented from various children's games and those who are able to survive until the end will be the winners, but if they cannot complete it, their lives will be at stake.

SQUID GAME is directed by the famous director, Hwang Dong Hyuk, who has made many films and Korean dramas such as COLLECTORS which aired last year in 2020 and THE FORTRESS released in 2017, SILENCED in 2011 which entered the box office, and many more. Interestingly, the script was already completed in 2009, but the director was still hesitant to release it because the series was considered too brutal if released in that year. SQUID GAME stars Lee Jung Jae, Park Hae Soo, Wi Ha Jun, Lee Ji Ha, and Heo Sung Tae, all of whom will be the main cast in this series.

SQUID GAME is considered more horror than the previous thriller dramas, such as EXTRACURRICULAR which aired last year. This series also received the highest age rating in the history of Korean films and dramas due to violence, inappropriate language imitated by young children, drug use, and the risk of imitating dangerous scenes in it.

Before you watch it, here are some interesting facts about SQUID GAME that you should know!

1. Origin of the Title

SQUID GAME (Credit: Netflix)

The director explained the origin of this series during a press conference held on September 15, 2021. He stated that when he was a child, he often played squid game in the schoolyard or on the street in front of his house. He also added that this series tells the story of people who used to play this game when they were children and now they will play again as adults.

SQUID GAME is one of the most energy-draining games and it is one of the director's favorites. For him, SQUID GAME can be the most symbolic children's game to depict the current condition of society.

2. Starting From 2008

SQUID GAME (Credit: Netflix)

Hwang Dong Hyuk first wrote the script for this series in 2008, long before his films became box office hits, such as SILENCED and THE FORTRESS. He mentioned that he enjoyed reading comic books and completed the script in 2009. He claimed that the script felt very strange and had many brutal scenes, and some people also said that the story portrayed in this series seemed complicated and non-commercial.

In that year, he also failed to find investors and struggled to find the right actors. He had considered not continuing with this series for a year. Hwang Dong Hyuk expressed his gratitude to Netflix for giving him the freedom to work on this series 10 years later.

3. Different From Other Survival Genres

SQUID GAME (Credit: Netflix)

Although there are some elements that are similar to scenes in other survival genres, SQUID GAME has its own unique side. According to the director, the essence of survival games is how viewers can be captivated by the participants' struggle until the very end to become the winner. Considering various factors, he believes that simplicity is the key. Viewers don't need to spend a lot of time understanding the overall rules of the game because everything is presented very simply.

SQUID GAME actually focuses more on how the participants behave and react in a situation they have never faced before. Many other survival games make us pay more attention to the winners, but in SQUID GAME, we will actually see who loses. There is no winner if there is no loser, said Hwang Dong Hyuk.

4. Various Memorable Characters

SQUID GAME (Credit: Netflix)

With 456 participants, it's no wonder they come from different backgrounds, like Gi Hun played by Lee Jung Jae who is a divorced man whose business has failed and is now desperate due to a lot of debt. Then, Park Hae Soo who plays Sang Woo, Gi Hun's childhood friend who is also going through a difficult situation and has studied at a prestigious university and worked at a company. There is also Jung Ho Yeon who plays Sae Byeok, she is a North Korean defector who is struggling to reunite her family.

Another exciting character is a gang member named Deok Su played by Heo Sang Tae, and there is a police officer named Jun Ho played by Wi Ha Jun, who discovers this game while searching for his missing brother. These various characters will captivate the audience and make them want to know more about this series!

5. Symbols, Shooting Locations, and Captivating Music

SQUID GAME (Credit: Netflix)

SQUID GAME symbolizes an analogy of today's society, full of competition to survive in this modern world. The transformation of individuals as they grow up is depicted through the innocence of childhood games turning into deadly challenges. The entire cast praises the detailed and beautiful set shooting location, where the director was able to create a vast place for filming that looks real and large without relying on advanced technology.

The music in this series also features various popular children's songs from the 70s and 80s that evoke nostalgia for the audience. All these factors are combined so well and neatly that it produces an extraordinary series.

Here is a teaser of the series SQUID GAME that will give you an idea before enjoying the whole episode!

Don't forget to watch this thrilling series on September 17, 2021, exclusively on Netflix!

(kpl/mag)