Squid Game: Season 1 (오징어 게임) 🦑 Was The Mainstream Hype Justified? [No Spoiler Inside]

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I am not generally one that responds to mainstream hype of any kind, and in fact it usually has the opposite effect on me. The only reason I gave Squid Game a chance was due to the fact it wasn't an American series.

Squid Game 🦑 Is Taking Over The World

     I'm not a watcher of television, and the only media I consume is basically Hive and podcasts, and several weeks ago I began to hear a lot of chit-chat about Squid Game on various podcasts recently, and although this genre of show is not anything I would normally watch, I recently found myself a little under the weather, so I binge-watched the series in an afternoon.

     If you've just watched the above trailer, it might remind you of films/shows such as "Hunger Games," "Saw," "Eyes Wide Shut," "The Maze Runner," or perhaps "Cabin In The Woods." "Squid Game" contains many elements from each of these shows/movies, but it combines them in a very watchable format.

     The trailer along gives you some clue as to why this Netflix series has entered the international zeitgeist. There are a lot of cinematic shots, suspenseful moments, and the large-scale sets are reminiscent of the "Truman Show."

The Plot 🙅‍♂️ [No Spoiler]

     The show revolves around the game itself, which is arguably a character in this series. All participants in the game are there because they have massive debt or other reasons that might make them desperate for money. Although it isn't made perfectly clear, it appears many participants were lured to the game after playing "ddakji," and below is a scene showing you how the main character got lured into voluntarily joining the game.

     Ultimately hundreds of people call the number on the card, are picked up by a van, and upon entry, a gas is released the doors are locked, and they wake up dressed in uniform inside dystopian game world. The participants don't know how bad things will be when playing the first game, so they willingly join.

     As you can see, to everyone's surprise, it is actually a game with deadly consequences, and no one was warned of that in the beginning. After their first game, "Red Light, Green Light" is finished, the participants are returned to their living quarters and immediately protest.

     Upon hearing the complaints, the guards inform them of the potential prize money, and also remind the participants that if a majority vote is cast to end the games, all participants can return home safely with none of the prize money.

     You can guess how the vote goes, otherwise there wouldn't be a show, but there are plenty of more twists and turns in this series. I will stop here as I don't want to ruin the climax and ending of season 1 for any of you who haven't watched this show yet.

My Thoughts 💭

     All in all it was a good watch, but not one I will repeat. For me "Squid Game" was a one watch and done show, not like "The Office," which I have watched all seasons multiple times. It's ultra-violent so not suitable for children, even though children seem to be the audience most obsessed with this show.

     To those of you that have watched this series, what did you think? Was the mainstream hype justified? I thought it was the first watchable Netflix series in years, but that's not saying much, I really am more of a documentary lover.

🙃 Let's Get Squid Game Silly 📸

     To answer a question that no one is asking, here is what I would like as the main character in "Squid Game." It's just as disturbing as it is entertaining.

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📺 Season 2 Teaser...

     The Season 2 teaser was recently released, and even though I will never rewatch any episodes, I'll be tuning in for season 2 when it drops.

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35 comments
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(Edited)

It does remind me of Maze Runner actually. I've been trying to remember that title 🤦‍♀️

The hype is justified in my opinion. I really enjoyed watching it.

I'm looking forward to season 2 even though I think one season only would have been fine.

You sure look like a squid game player 😄

And that teaser, it doesn’t look real 🤔

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I enjoyed watching it, just not sure if I would rewatch any episodes. But definitely waiting for season 2, although it seems a contract hasn't yet been made with Netflix.

I was putting this post together way too late at night, and when I watched the teaser with fresh eyes, I can see that it's just old clips. ReFace App is too much fun, somebody needs to take it away from me.

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ReFace App is too much fun, somebody needs to take it away from me.

I have a lot of fun with it too. Here's me as Oksana from Killing Eve

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That is classic, and there are some black Russians. I think you could pull off a hit if necessary.

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Wow...never knew there were Black Russians

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The world is full of so many interesting stories, but they often never get the attention they deserve. Would you believe the guys that share our house with us here in Suriname happen to be Nigerians? It's true, and on top of that one of the guys lived in Cambodia during the time I was there. The world can be shockingly small sometimes.

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Very interesting! What could possibly have led them to Suriname?

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Well, let's just stay Suriname wasn't their first choice, much like my family and I. Suriame is a place where you end up, not so much a choice I think. I talk with one of my neighbors more than the other, and he was in Guyana before Suriname, and before that Panama then Hong Kong. I have learned something about Suriname though after three years here, you don't ask anyone how they make their money, especially local Surinamers. I'm not implying these guys are doing anything illegal here, I sense they had some pandemic visa issues just like my family and I. But that being said, plenty of people make their in Suriname via gold, cocaine, or gold and cocaine, cause those are the only two industries here.

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I know Nigerians are everywhere but Suriname seems so far-fetched for a Nigerian

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I think I have a very similar view on the series as yourself.

That teaser trailer might be a fake trailer as it contains absolutely no new footage of the show, it's all recycled shots we've seen and dialogue from the contestants return.

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Late at night posting means lack of brainpower, and you're right, after watching the teaser again in the morning, I quickly realized it's rehashed old clips. I do think there will be a season 2 even though not official yet, can't imagine an international corporation would turn down such insane profits.

I am still waiting for a show to replace "The Office," so I guess I am a dinosaur.

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Squid game, maybe the 2021 pop culture.
Actually, them of debt in this movie relate with many people in my. Many people are in debt and can't pay.

In Indonesia, many product make ads with parody squid game, first time its funny but after that look weird and not funny anymore.

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Yeah, I think the "debt" resonates with many countries around the world. In SE Asia I think of Singapore as the most stressful and debt-controlled way of life. I remember when Angry Birds stormed ASEAN countries now Squid Game is doing the same thing.

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haha.. The good thing is that Netflix entertained all of us during the pandemic. I think during the release of Squid Game, crime rates, dipped for a moment for the whole world. Everyone who watched it wanted to finish the show quickly. Korean directors are getting really good at making movies. They make really peculiar series that I watched. I think the director would never have expected that many people to watch his show or else he would never have placed that non important event in the bathroom which was really inappropriate. I am always amazed at how cinematography methods have advanced. If it's just a series, it's like watching each episode as if it was a section of a movie. The CGI, the sound design.

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Very true, the line between movie and show is now blurred, and I hate to even say "tv show" anymore, because this show wasn't made for television. As long as Netflix allows multiple people to share one password, I am thankful for the service 🤫.

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Hi hi Justin.. it is strange to see a big budget movie like those from Marvel to be streaming... On Disney plus for example. Black Widow.. because of good TV production, I have not gone to a cinema for a while.. great that Netflix exist... Hopefully they can keep doing it.. cause the pandemic could be over pretty soon. Then everyone goes to the cinema to watch a movie.. wahaha I am still gonna be watching on my laptop. 😁😁😁

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I think any many cases Netflix and Amazon now have more money to create a show or movie than Hollywood does, and it's certainly turning the film and tv industry upside down.

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True. I am an avid k-fanatic , means I love watching Korean dramas and movies but I didn't watch this one. I know, it's been trending all over the world but my heart can't really take it. Seeing so many people died fighting to survive for the prize money. 😭

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It's true, the whole desperation and debt reminds me of the reasons I left the USA for Cambodia in 2010. I have never been in debt personally, but it was the cost of not receiving a university education, so my future in the USA was limited to being a manual laborer. Luckily I found a way to escape it, and I am thankful money is not at the forefront of the Cambodian way of life.

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Awww.. You have such an inspiring story @justinparke 🥰 I'm so glad that you're able to find your way in Cambodia. You have an amazing family there! 🤗

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Thanks for the kind words, it means a lot to me.

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I have watched several videos in your post this time, the story in the game is really terrible,

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I think the premise of the show is not a good one, because this plot has been done time and time again, but I think the cinematography is what makes this show watchable. I can see though why many people would very much dislike a show like this.

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This definitely has some Hunger Games and Truman Show aspects going on lol.

I don't watch many television series anymore. I guess now it's more like internet series instead of televsion lol.

It's a deep conversation as to why, but basically I find that I don't have enough time and there's better ways to make use of my time :)

I still find this stuff fascinating and have some favorite movies and series that I watch once in a blue moon.

Have a great day!

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I think I might be like you in that regard. I like to be multitasking, so watching shows/movies requires eyes and ears, something I often don't have time to commit. Nowadays I almost exclusively watch shows/movies when I'm feeling under the weather. As I'm pretty much on Hive all the time, I am very much into podcasts because I can curate and create posts while listening to a podcast.

Cheers.

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(Edited)

Sounds very similar indeed. About the only thing I can have on during deep concentration is music without words. Music with words, ads, TV series, will distract my ability to deeply think, so I get that totally!

Cheers to you as well :)

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You're more laser-focused than me, music without words, but I totally get it. Sometimes while I'm hiving while listening to a podcast or some music, even that tends to break up my ideas if I start listening to carefully. I need to turn on some dub next time I'm making a draft.

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I've already watched this movie, and what can I say is that, I.love the main character of the movie. Because as you watched it in the last game the main character still preffered to choose his friend over the money even his friend betrayed him.

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Yes, I think the main character plays a huge role in the movie's success. I'm not sure if he was a star in Korea before this show, but it's certain he will be a hot commodity for many years to come.

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I watched it but not the whole series. My heart is beating fast seeing the terrible things in the game. Life over money or money over life.

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It is indeed a bit stressful, I kept waiting for someone to mention cryptocurrency investments as a less deadly way to escape debt 😁.

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But, I can't see that you are stress. I can feel only that you enjoy reading every stories! 😊🥰
I am thankful for the cryptocurrencies and the hive blockchain coz it is helping me to pay debts. 😊
The debts that caused by covid-19 pandemic.

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I find that movie very popular on facebook and youtube. My friends also said that this movie was very interesting. But I have not seen that movie yet. But I think I will watch that movie these days.

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Do you have a Netflix account? If not, I think it would be easy enough to find it on free streaming site.

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