In my opinion, few television series have been able to achieve such massive success and popularity like Squid Game. Following Gi-Hun, a divorced middle-aged man who is addicted to sports gambling and struggles with debt, Squid Game centers around everyday characters like us, people who have problems and challenges and are sometimes just too tired of life. At its core, Squid Game is about ordinary people playing ordinary games, participating in a game of death to escape their mundane lives.
Whether you may have realized it or not, this is actually the most central appeal of Squid Game. Exploring themes surrounding socio-economic status and intersectionality, Squid Game portrays the identities of the people of our society today that are each grappling with their own problems in life. Whether it is Gi-Hun and his debt, Sea-byeok and her attempts to find a new life outside of North Korea, or Abdul Ali grappling with his struggles as an impoverished immigrant worker, the players of Squid Game each come from different walks of life, yet all share one common thing: they don’t want to live like this anymore. There’s nothing special to it, just a relatable desire for a better life.
Personally, I feel like Squid Game was such an important show to have been produced, especially given the context of Korean society. Being an extremely collectivist society with strong Confucius values and also being one of the most homogenous countries in the world, conversations about marginalized people and struggles are simply not talked about enough. In essence, I think Squid Game was so popular because it depicts ordinary people dealing with ordinary problems.
2 replies on “Identity Politics in “Squid Game” and Why It Was So Popular”
Your analysis of Squid Game’s appeal is spot on. The show’s success lies in its ability to depict ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges, resonating with viewers on a deep level. Its exploration of socio-economic issues and diverse characters adds layers of complexity and relevance, making it a culturally significant piece of television. Your insight into its importance within Korean society, where such conversations may be less common, highlights Squid Game’s role in sparking discussions about marginalized communities and their struggles. It’s clear why the show struck a chord globally—it’s relatable, impactful, and addresses fundamental human desires for a better life.
Neat post! I think you lay out the reaction really nicely. I remember watching this half a year after its release and wondering why on earth people would be drawn to something so dark, especially right as COVID quarantine was tapering off in the US. You make a real good argument about being able to empathize with the characters though; that’s definitely what kept me watching. I do wonder how international media coverage and power dynamics might affect the show’s reception? I remember reading a story about US reporters asking the lead actor how it feels to “finally get his big break,” even though he’s a well-established actor and quite popular. It’s a great show, and I think it could make a very interesting case study for transnational television.