Recently, Netflix announced that their hit series, Squid Game, would finally receive its second season after three years. Immediately, fans rejoiced at the return of the iconic series after all this time. Created by South Korean director Hwang Dong-hyuk, the series followed a group of 456 individuals competing in a death game for a massive cash prize.
While many remember the series, few know the sheer scale of its impact on the web. The series went from being a sleeper hit to a pop culture phenomenon that inspired memes, trends, and many other ideas across the globe. Here is a rundown of Squid Game’s huge cultural impact during its heyday.
Squid Game’s Status as a Meme
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First, Squid Game had a huge impact due to its memetic status. Now and then, a work spawns a meme, trend, or running gag throughout the internet. However, few series have managed to create the same volume of memes as this series has. The cartoonish idea of the series (a deadly series of kid’s games in a bright environment) probably added to the surreal nature of the show. Additionally, many of the challenges became trends on sites such as TikTok.
Part of what helped the series was its iconic nature. There were many recognizable symbols, such as the pink soldiers, the PlayStation symbols, the VIP masks, the giant doll, and others. Despite the many anti-capitalist themes of the show, it probably earned Netflix millions in merchandise and sponsorships. Even the bizarre title, “Squid Game,” speaks to the show’s captivating surrealism. The show’s buzz helped this new IP become one of their catalog’s most viewed shows.
Netflix’s Inspiration and Imitators
The next example of the series’ impact is how much it inspired others. The series is just one in a long line of “death game” stories, including many anime. The biggest example would be Netflix’s recreation, The Challenge. It was a game show that accurately recreated the games while adding new ones. However, the series was not only panned, but also rumors circulated about poor working conditions. At the same time, many believed that the series missed the whole point of the original show’s message of exploitation for entertainment.
The best example of Squid Game’s global popularity would be the recreation by YouTube philanthropist MrBeast, released barely two months after the first season. The tycoon recreated most of the iconic trials from the series in a non-lethal manner. The production technically had a higher budget than the Netflix series itself. Ultimately, the video earned over half a billion views, and many fans consider it his magnum opus.
The Series’ Profound Commentary
Finally, the series has not just become a pop culture phenomenon, but many viewers have stayed for its insightful commentary on today’s society and economy. The main story follows the impoverished, tricked into fighting for their lives by a tiny handful of uber-wealthy billionaires. While not the first series to comment on income inequality, few have created as stark a metaphor as Squid Game’s tournament. Many characters such as Sang-Woo and games such as tug-of-war were mined for their symbolism and subtext.
The show’s parallels with our current economic situation were hard to ignore for many viewers, making it entertaining and relevant. Unsurprisingly, the series shares many of its fans with the previous year’s Best Picture winner, Bong Joon-Ho’s Parasite, which had similar themes of hierarchies. With a new season arriving, there are many directions and angles that the story can explore now that three years of success have passed.
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