When Squid Game first premiered on Netflix, it quickly became a global sensation. The intense survival drama, filled with high-stakes games and shocking twists, left viewers wondering—is Squid Game based on a true story? Could such a deadly competition actually exist in real life?
The answer is both yes and no. While Squid Game is a fictional series, its creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, took inspiration from real-life social issues, financial struggles, and class inequality in South Korea. Some elements of the show, like extreme debt, desperate contestants, and brutal survival games, reflect harsh realities faced by many people today.
In this article, we’ll uncover the truth behind Squid Game’s origins, explore its real-world inspirations, and reveal whether such a terrifying game could ever happen in real life. Let’s dive in! 🚀
What is Squid Game About?
Squid Game is a South Korean survival thriller series developed by Hwang Dong-hyuk and premiered on Netflix in 2021. The show quickly became a global sensation, thanks to its thrilling storyline, intense emotional depth, and thought-provoking social commentary. The series revolves around 456 financially struggling individuals who participate in a deadly game for a massive cash prize of ₩45.6 billion (approx. $38 million USD).
But here’s the twist—this is no ordinary game. The participants soon realize that losing means death.
The Premise: Desperate Players, Deadly Games
The story follows Seong Gi-hun, a divorced and indebted man who is struggling to provide for his daughter. One day, he receives a mysterious invitation to join a secret competition. With nothing to lose, he accepts and is transported to an undisclosed location, where he meets 455 other players, all desperate for money.
The competition consists of six traditional Korean childhood games, but with a horrifying twist: losing a game results in instant elimination—by death.
How the Squid Game is Played?
The Squid Game consists of six rounds, each featuring a seemingly harmless children’s game. However, the brutal twist is that any player who fails is immediately executed.
Here’s a breakdown of the six deadly games:
1. Red Light, Green Light is one of the games featured in the series.
- Players must run towards a finish line while a giant doll announces "Green Light" (safe to move) and "Red Light" (must stop).
- If caught moving on "Red Light," the player is shot dead on the spot.
2. Dalgona (Honeycomb) Challenge
- Players receive a honeycomb candy with a carved-out shape (circle, triangle, star, or umbrella).
- They must carefully cut out the shape without breaking it using a needle.
- Failure results in instant execution.
3. Tug of War
- Players are divided into teams and must pull the opposing team off a high platform.
- The losing team falls to their death.
4. Marbles
- Each player gets 10 marbles and must outsmart their opponent in any marble game of their choice.
- The player who loses all their marbles is executed.
5. Glass Bridge
- Contestants must navigate a bridge composed of glass panels.. Some are strong, while others shatter under pressure.
- Those who step on the wrong panel fall to their death.
6. The Squid Game
- The final and most intense round is based on an old Korean playground game called “Squid Game.”
- One player attacks while the other defends, with the goal of reaching a certain area of the field.
- This final match is a brutal, no-holds-barred fight where only one person can survive.
Is Squid Game a True Story?
The short answer is no, Squid Game is not based on a true story. The deadly survival competition depicted in the Netflix series is purely fictional. However, the show’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, has revealed that while the plot is fictional, it draws inspiration from real-life economic struggles and social inequalities in South Korea.
The True Events That Inspired Squid Game
Although no real-life Squid Game exists, some elements of the series have been influenced by actual events, situations, and cultural references:
1. South Korea’s Economic Inequality & Debt Crisis
Hwang Dong-hyuk conceived the idea of Squid Game in 2008-2009, during the global financial crisis. At that time, he himself was struggling financially and had to put his movie projects on hold. He even had to sell his laptop due to financial difficulties.
South Korea has long faced issues of rising household debt and economic inequality. Many people, especially the youth, find themselves trapped in debt due to student loans, housing prices, and job market instability. The show reflects this reality through its characters, who are all burdened with massive debts, desperate for a way out.
2. "Dying Games" Inspired by Japanese Manga & Films
Hwang has openly stated that he was inspired by Japanese survival mangas and movies, especially:
- "Battle Royale" (1999) – A story where students are forced into a deadly survival game.
- "Liar Game" (2005) – A psychological survival game based on deception and trust.
- "Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor" (1996) – A manga where a debt-ridden man is forced into a series of high-stakes survival games.
These works explore themes of economic despair, human greed, and survival, much like Squid Game.
3. The Actual "Squid Game" – A Childhood Reminiscence
The name "Squid Game" itself comes from a real Korean children's game that was popular in the 1970s and 80s. Hwang Dong-hyuk, who grew up playing this game, used it as a metaphor for life’s struggles and competition.
In the past, South Korean children played traditional games like Red Light, Green Light (Mugunghwa Flower Has Bloomed) and Squid Game, but in the Netflix series, these innocent childhood games are turned into a brutal fight for survival.
4. The “Brothers Home” Scandal – A Dark Connection?
Some viewers have drawn comparisons between Squid Game and a real-life tragedy – the Brothers Home incident.
In the 1980s, during South Korea’s military dictatorship, thousands of homeless people, beggars, and children were forcibly taken to a facility called "Brothers Home" in Busan. It was disguised as a rehabilitation center, but inside, people were subjected to forced labor, torture, and even death.
While Hwang Dong-hyuk has never confirmed any direct connection between Squid Game and the Brothers Home, the theme of exploiting the vulnerable strongly resonates with this dark chapter of history.
How Real is Squid Game in Today's World?
Netflix’s Squid Game may be a fictional series, but the harsh realities it portrays—financial struggles, debt traps, and economic inequality—are very real in today’s world. The desperation of the show's characters mirrors the struggles of millions of people across the globe, particularly in South Korea, where economic hardships have driven people to extreme measures to survive.
1. The Reality of Debt and Poverty in South Korea
South Korea is one of the world's largest economies, known for its rapid industrialization and technological advancements. However, beneath this success lies a severe wealth gap and financial instability for many citizens.
- Household Debt Crisis: South Korea has one of the highest household debt levels in the world. As of 2024, the country's household debt stands at nearly 105% of its GDP. Many individuals take out loans for education, housing, or business ventures but struggle to repay them due to rising interest rates and stagnant wages.
- Unemployment and Job Insecurity: The country has a highly competitive job market, especially for young graduates. Many struggle to find stable, well-paying jobs, leading them to take multiple part-time jobs or work under exploitative conditions.
- Soaring Cost of Living: Cities like Seoul have an incredibly high cost of living. Housing prices have skyrocketed, making homeownership nearly impossible for many young people. This has led to financial distress, similar to what the characters in Squid Game face.
2. The Dark Side of Capitalism: Extreme Wealth Inequality
One of Squid Game’s strongest themes is economic disparity—where the ultra-rich control resources while the poor struggle to survive. In South Korea:
- The top 10% of earners control more than 45% of the nation’s wealth.
- Many elderly citizens continue working in their 70s and 80s because they don’t have sufficient retirement savings.
- The "Hell Joseon" term, commonly used by South Korean youth, reflects their frustration with the country's harsh economic realities, where success is often reserved for the elite.
3. Real-Life Deadly Consequences of Financial Struggles
While Squid Game is fictional, there have been tragic real-life incidents where financial desperation led to extreme outcomes:
- The Rising Suicide Rate: South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates among OECD countries. Financial pressure is a major factor, leading many people to take drastic steps.
- Loan Sharks and Gambling Addiction: Like the show’s protagonist, Seong Gi-hun, many South Koreans turn to gambling in hopes of quick financial relief. However, predatory loan sharks often trap them in cycles of never-ending debt.
4. Social Issues Reflecting the Game’s Themes
Beyond financial struggles, Squid Game reflects deeper societal issues:
- Brutal Competition in Education & Work: South Korea’s education system is highly competitive, with students studying up to 16 hours a day to secure a place in top universities. The same competition continues in the workplace, where long hours and high stress are common.
- The Rise of Gig Economy Jobs: Many people, unable to secure traditional jobs, turn to temporary or gig economy work, much like the show's contestants who desperately need money.
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Conclusion - The Reality Behind Squid Game
After analyzing various aspects of Squid Game, one thing is clear—the show is not based on a true story. However, its themes, struggles, and social commentary are deeply rooted in real-life issues.
The creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, has openly admitted that the series was inspired by his own financial struggles and the growing economic inequality in South Korea. He also drew inspiration from Japanese manga like Battle Royale and Liar Game, both of which explore similar high-stakes survival games.
Moreover, some elements of Squid Game reflect real-world events, such as:
- The "Ddeokbokki Debt Crisis" in South Korea, where people take out high-interest loans and struggle to repay them.
- The "Brothers Home" incident, a notorious South Korean facility in the 1980s where thousands were detained and abused.
- The cutthroat nature of modern capitalism, where people are often forced to take extreme measures for survival.
Although Squid Game is fictional, it mirrors the harsh realities of financial desperation, social inequality, and the psychological impact of debt. This is one of the main reasons why audiences worldwide found the show so relatable.
What Do You Think?
Do you believe a real-life Squid Game could exist in today’s world? Could people actually be desperate enough to participate in such dangerous games?
💬 Share your thoughts in the comments below!