Why Squid Game Is So Popular (& Could Become Netflix’s Biggest Show)

The South Korean drama Squid Game has taken the world by storm, and it’s so popular it could become Netflix’s biggest-ever show. Released globally on September 17, 2021, Squid Game is a survival thriller following a group of 456 people who are invited to play in a high-risk, mysterious game in exchange for ₩45.6 billion. Upon arriving at the secret location, the participants, who come from all walks of life, are forced to join a succession of traditional Korean children’s games, but there’s a twist: Those who lose will be killed. 

Within just days of its release, Squid Game quickly became the #1 most-watched Netflix show in 90 countries, topping the U.S. and UK list of weekly most-watched television shows — the first Korean drama to do so. Moreover, in the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Squid Game earned a 100% approval rating from critics. The show inspired online merchandise, such as the Squid Game players’ dark green tracksuits and numbered shirts, and it also gained a massive following, spawning TikTok challenges, real-life prank calls, social media trends.

There are a few reasons that Squid Game, a violent story of survival, has become so popular among audiences worldwide. In this age of social media, while it is easy for shows to trend and be talked about, only a few have reached the level of popularity Squid Game enjoys, despite its limited promotion. This is primarily because the drama took a quite simple concept and turned it into an elaborate reflection of society. Amidst all the action, there are characters whom the audience can sympathize with as they represent socioeconomic classes of all kinds. In addition, Squid Game artfully reflects society being overpowered by capitalism. Viewers recognize that money and power run the world, and sadly, there is still a glaring wealth disparity between the rich and the poor. Consequently, people — no matter their background — will do anything in their capacity to gain and maintain financial security.

Originally, the show’s creator Hwang Dong-hyuk developed the script in 2008 but abandoned it for years due to his fear of it being “too grotesque and complex.” Eventually, he revived the story upon realizing that today’s world has become a place for survival above anything else.  It’s one of the reasons he framed the darkness of survival in such a colorful world with Squid Game‘s simple Korean childhood games and life-or-death consequences. (via Netflix)

Furthermore, Squid Game has the qualities of a worldwide hit. Its realistic elements of action, suspense, and emotion packed into nine bingeable episodes are enough to transcend geographical distance and language barriers. Unsurprisingly, Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos announced, just 11 days after its release, that there is “a very good chance” of Squid Game becoming Netflix’s biggest show ever. Currently, that spot belongs to the 2020 period drama Bridgerton, but looking at the Korean drama’s viewership trend, it is only a matter of time before Squid Game changes history.

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