When pushed to the point of one man’s survival, desperation is what transforms even the most morally just person into someone they can’t look at in a mirror. Squid Games is a show that calls into question human morality and how decisions are affected by eventual consequences. Money is a pivotal factor that provokes inhuman actions day to day as it is equivalent to personal power, respect, and happiness. On September 17, 2021, Squid Games was instantly brought into the spotlight by its creative way of holding a mirror to society of what one will do for money.
Rock bottom is stuck by Seong Gi-Hun upon realizing the dire consequences he is facing due to his irrational gambling addiction and impulsive accumulation of lies that come with his relationship with money. Being a divorced father with limited time to spend with his daughter, and his straining relationship with his mother who is in constant battle with Gi-Hun to get back on his feet again, there seems to be little to no hope for someone so inclined to gamble his winnings. After going through a brutal confrontation with the men he owes money to, he goes to the subway station and finds what seems to be an angel in disguise. A suited man approaches with an offer he can’t refuse, a game of Ddakji – a traditional Korean child’s game – in exchange for a large sum of money. In a comedic sequence, Gi-Hun competes for the money despite his lack of skill at the game and successfully secures it in the end. Once awarded, the offer of more money for simple childhood games is brought upon Gi-Hun. Despite being cautious at the start, Gi-Hun takes up the offer with the intention of cleaning up his act and caring for his family.
Upon his suspicious arrival at the games, Gi-hun wakes up to see himself in a room with 456 other players who came for the same reasons. Excitement is enlightened in all of the other players with the chance to make a large sum. Despite the simplicity of the first game, the mood suddenly shifts when the players realize the murderous consequences of being eliminated from the game.
Season 2
Squid Games had made its return after making rounds in 2021. Starting off right where it started, Gi-Hun’s decisions after he decided to turn away from the plan. Season Two turns the page and reflects on Gi-Hun’s time during the games, and using it in order to help him get justice for those who died during the previous games. He ends up right where he started, inside the games, but this time not just protecting himself, but others with the knowledge he knows.
Season Two goes into depth of the games in itself, and alludes constantly to the first events prior. Despite being hard, the season does an excellent job in introducing the new characters in a way that makes them both easy and hard to like. Watchers follow and watch as these people all go head to head with each other just for the chance at money.
