The first episode of Squid Game was released on September 17, 2021. The South Korean dystopian survival thriller, created, written, and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, follows 456 financially desperate individuals who risk their lives in a deadly contest of childhood games for a chance to win ₩45.6 billion (US$39.86 million). The series, starring Lee Jung-jae as protagonist Seong Gi-hun, became a global phenomenon, breaking Netflix records and earning multiple prestigious awards, including six Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.
Hwang initially conceived the story in 2009, inspired by his personal financial struggles and the economic inequalities in South Korea. However, he struggled to secure funding until Netflix picked up the project in 2019, seeking to expand its international content. After its 2021 release, Squid Game resonated with audiences worldwide, not just for its suspense and shocking plot twists but for its raw depiction of modern-day economic struggles.
This article explores how Squid Game mirrors our society. where people, driven by financial desperation, engage in relentless competition and, at times, make questionable moral compromises in pursuit of wealth.
The Price of Desperation
One unforgettable scene in Squid Game involves Seong Gi-hun playing a simple game with a mysterious recruiter. Each time he loses, he gets slapped. When he finally wins, instead of getting revenge with a slap, he receives cash. This moment highlights how society often conditions people to trade dignity for financial gain.
In today’s world, many individuals take extreme measures to secure money. whether through degrading social media stunts, unethical business practices, or hazardous jobs. Much like the contestants in Squid Game, real-life struggles push people into desperate situations, from borrowing recklessly to engaging in fraud or high-stakes gambling, all in pursuit of financial relief.
Gambling and the Illusion of Wealth
A key theme in Squid Game is the temptation of easy money. The massive cash prize lures contestants into a deadly game, much like how real-world gambling preys on the financially vulnerable.
Today, betting platforms dominate advertisements, often endorsed by celebrities and influencers who portray gambling as an easy path to riches. However, the reality is that gambling more often leads to financial ruin. The cycle is vicious, winners crave bigger wins, losers chase their losses, and in the end, the house always profits.
Many Nigerians, for example, spend urgent funds on daily sports bets, hoping for a lucky break. Ironically, these individuals are often already struggling financially. Instead of investing in skills or savings, they pour their hard-earned money into betting platforms. whose owners never gamble themselves. Much like the VIPs in Squid Game, they thrive on the desperation of others.
The Trap of Debt and Materialism
Another striking theme in Squid Game is debt. Seong Gi-hun is buried under financial obligations, a reality that resonates with many today. However, some individuals worsen their struggles by living beyond their means.
For instance, consider someone earning ₦50,000 a month yet paying ₦250,000 in annual rent just to impress others. Or those who borrow from predatory loan apps for extravagant parties. Such financial irresponsibility creates a vicious cycle of debt, robbing people of their peace of mind.
If you are struggling financially but debt-free, you have a clearer mind to plan for the future. But if you’re constantly dodging lenders, no amount of luxury can bring true comfort.
The Desperation for Quick Money
Perhaps the darkest theme in Squid Game is how poverty pushes people to cross moral boundaries. Contestants return to the game despite witnessing brutal deaths, just as some real-life individuals resort to crime, ritualism, organ trafficking, or fraud in their quest for wealth.
The rise of internet fraud (Yahoo Yahoo) is a grim reflection of this. Some young people, instead of learning valuable skills, turn to cyber fraud, scamming unsuspecting victims. Tragically, some of these victims lose their life savings or even their lives.
A heartbreaking example is the university student who took her own life after being scammed. Fraud isn’t just about financial theft; it destroys livelihoods and futures. And those who acquire wealth through deception live in constant fear of exposure, proving that ill-gotten wealth never brings peace.
The Reality of Economic Inequality
At its core, Squid Game is a critique of wealth disparity. The ultra-rich VIPs place bets on the lives of struggling contestants, treating them as mere entertainment. This serves as a reminder of how, in real life, the powerful exploit the vulnerable for personal gain.
Corporations, landlords, and politicians often benefit from an economic system that keeps the poor desperate. From unfair wages to exploitative policies, society is structured in a way that ensures the rich get richer while the poor fight for survival.
This article is published as part of the writer’s internship with Nollywire, facilitated by the National Association of Campus Journalists(NACJ), Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.