Squid Game - an introduction

[@burtyjr]

The whiplash from Lord of the Rings videos to Squid Game 😆

[@IlyHopeSheehy]

I literally exclaimed, “This is interesting,” to seeing Robert covering this lol. Wasn’t on my 2024 bingo card

[@The_Bashar]

My neck hurts 😅.

[@EverteFarnell]

Right! 😂

[@Mexican_Jedi]

When he says fantasy at the start of the video, I subconsciously thought, "hmm. High fantasy." Turns out it can be low fantasy as well.

[@cmat45]

keep all hands and feet inside the ride at all times!!

[@RedBaron44]

I never expected Robert to talk about Squid Game😅

[@FrankV10]

Despite all the memes and everything about this show, the show itself is actually fantastic and truly gripping. You kind of forget that it is a gladiator-esque and very violent show because the story doesn’t focus solely on that. The storylines and relationships between the characters is what really makes it, top notch in my opinion

[@nullakjg767]

id rather see gladiators... fight each other instead of playing red light green light. idk i couldnt get into this at all.

[@cmat45]

@@nullakjg767its ok, critiques of modern capitalism, symbolism, and morality are themes which the colosseum goer would not understand. toy blocks are for toddlers and books are for men. the ear of understanding is always open to the lips of wisdom, if the message fell deafly on your ears, you lack the capacity to conceive it.

[@battlericky17]

One of the dumbest shows ive ever watched. So reading this to me was kinda wild

[@Snockyy]

I love that this channel isn't afraid to occasionally branch out to a new topic.

[@ВладимирХарченко-з2т]

I think there is an omission in your analysis, Robert. What is most important about the recruitment process is the punishment for the loss. It is not losing money, it is abuse. And not any kind of abuse, it is emotional abuse, it is humiliation. A slap on the face is not that big of a deal physically speaking, but in any culture, it is a sign of disrespect. Remember, the show is set in Korea, where losing face, public humiliation, is a huge deal that can't be simply brushed off. The few times when powerful people needed to apologize in front of public were seen just as big of a news as the scandal itself (top executives of Samsung were given a public apology after the Galaxy Note batteries were exploding; Korea Air VP had to apologize after the nutrage incident. Videos of their apologies have millions of views and were both a big deal in Korea). Consider: the price of money, in the recruitment process, is humiliation. That is the test. The willingness to shed whatever it was that made those being recruited a person with self-respect and what no longer held them when they became "the ends justify the means" kinds of a people. Now, remember what the main character did when he finally won in the game against the recruiter? He wanted to slap back. The recruited had to drop the main character's recruitment right there, because the main charachter still held on to his pride, or perhaps was proven combative enough in the wrong lind of way. The Squid Game needs people who are desperate, but those who would still be cowards in the end. Not our main character. This was demonstrated when he proposed the vote to leave the game, when he proposed to leave the game the second time, and when he decided to turn back and make a damn difference for once, at the end of S1. The recruiter made the biggest mistake of his career, and it will come back to bite.

[@tomaswolstenholme]

I dont think this was an analysis video at all though?

[@brianmulholland2467]

Best response. That's a critical extra detail that can easily be lost in cultural translation.

[@elismith2067]

You would win an essay contest if you entered in one

[@awesomehpt8938]

It’s not a black and white situation it’s a Red light, Green light situation.

[@musicamaxima]

I really appreciate that here, just as in your LOTR videos, you take authorial intent seriously. You don’t superimpose your own politics onto the creators; you take every aspect of the analysis seriously and respectfully.

[@apstrike]

I'm happy with Robert analyzing whatever content he wants, provided it is good content. This channel doesn't have to be straight sci-fi orfantasy.

[@s70driver2005]

No but dang what a switch up!!!

[@ВладимирХарченко-з2т]

Robert, is everything okay? Please include a reference to Aru Illuvitar in your next video if you are kept hostage.

[@blackout5145]

😂😂

[@WillFredward7167]

😂

[@tjsnyder55]

🤣

[@chrispalmer7778]

Loved season 2! It’d be cool to hear your thoughts and theories in a video!

[@Hi_Im_Akward]

I've been hoping for another season. The darkness of it all is exactly the kind of show i like watching. I hope the writing stays just as good.

[@Goblin_deez.]

I was hoping this video would explain it as an allegory for the all consuming greed of the dwarves

[@MmMm-tp7vw]

The Dwarves aren’t exactly “consumers” - they can be greedy, yes, but their greed is for materials which they use to *produce* things. Consumption implies passivity, and the Dwarves are very active beings.

[@mew3782]

Season 2 comes out tomorrow and so appreciated the brief recap. Dont give a flying f that it is somewhat offtopic for the man

[@jetboy33]

Tomorrow? Finally...something good to watch. Hopefully it'll be as good as season one.

[@aidanschauer1581]

This was awesome! More please

[@Levacque]

Appreciate the spoiler warning, I've been meaning to watch it this whole time but couldn't find the motivation. Thanks for the broken down video so that I could get interested once again without spoiling the ending for myself!

[@cuttybang415]

This is certainly a change of gears for IDG

[@TheGahta]

I will admit, i was hooked till the finale with the big reveal of the old man 🤷

[@commentator-tl9h]

A good, insightful review of an interesting story is never off topic.

[@communistcomrade6177]

Robert took a turn here, I won't complain

[@taidee]

I don't watch and have had no interest in the Squid Game series but man, Robert, you make everything sound so great 🤣🤣, thank you.

[@IshtarNike]

It's just a genuinely good show. Worth watching if you can stomach the violence. I'm not one for violence but the show is so good I put up with it. And it's not gratuitous, it does serve a narrative purpose.

[@imbhulu]

I think this is the fastest I've found your video so far and I'm so glad!

[@tomaszt5050]

Well. Looks like it's time to watch S1 of Squid Game. BRB Robert.

[@chiwantstea]

Love this from you! Thank you ☺️ my whole house is prepped!!

[@pathutchison7688]

An adaptation of “The Long Walk” by Stephen King would be awesome. It could be coming of age movie, but with a tense thriller vibe and the knowledge that most of the lessons learned will be irrelevant within the next couple days. Can believe it hasn’t been adapted yet.

[@gazcolman9184]

Jeez that story is horrific. It was King's first published book/short story wasn't it? I will never read that again...loved it but never again!

[@ingloriuspumpkinpie9367]

Good video Robert, your well told tale channel got me into old scifi it makes sense for you to branch out.

[@malenotyalc]

Who else already knows all about Squidgame, but just can not resist watching a new In Deep Geek video?

[@lakrids-pibe]

I know about Squidgame, but I haven't watched it yet because it sounds so depressing. It sounds great, but I just don't know if I have the stomach for it.

[@GrumpyRook]

I never expected this channel to talk about Squid Game. But here we are 😅

[@billyponsonby]

It was an appallingly violent but irresistible pandemic lockdown watch that has left an impression on me. The girl, defiantly strong but also broken and vulnerable was most memorable.

[@BenGuardian]

I just wanted to say I REALLY enjoyed this somewhat of a pivot of the content you produce

[@ELFBOYMUSIC]

The 4th IP. I love this choice.

[@jonnio69]

Yes Rob! Big up the in deep quid game mahassive! Just watched the first two episodes of season 2, great stuff so far!!!

[@Twiska]

Given your revised intro and you covering this, I see you are branching out into sci-fi (though I wouldn't call Squid Game sci-fi) but for sci-fi series to cover I would recommend the Expanse, The Bobiverse, Undying Mercenaries and Project Hail Mary. Though PHM is a stand alone novel the others I recommend are multiple book in a series with lots of lore, characters and possible fan theories.

[@Admiralmeriweather]

It’s speculative fiction. Still counts as science fiction or science fiction adjacent

[@shivorath]

I disagree with that classification, but I don’t mind IDG including it just to keep the intro snappy and polished.

[@Twiska]

@@shivorath I don't see how Squid Game can be sci-fi. There is no fictional science. If Squid Game is sci-fi then so is BBC Sherlock. Sure, both shows have improbable/impossible plots with some BS science occasionally but so can any fictional show and importantly neither are marketed as sci-fi like the Expanse or Star Trek is. In my opinion both Squid Game and Sherlock are both firmly in mystery/drama.

[@Admiralmeriweather]

@@Twiska it falls in the same category as Handmaid’s tale. I don’t think that one had any speculative scientific elements except for the climate collapse thing. Using current scientific elements in a new way could be a valid form of science fiction

[@andrewdellaiacono6698]

"A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one"

[@MiamiGameHunter]

Korean politics is more chaotic and cutthroat than Westeros rn.

[@enshanoldmanvilla]

Both North and South Korea are chaotic and strange . It's no surprise that South Korea ranks number one in suicide rates ,it says a lot about the pressures and struggles people face there.

[@craigsteven9665]

this guys voice is really familiar. like i've heard it somewhere else or he sounds like someone else. loving the videos

[@shaniaduchene8063]

I’m not very interested in watching squid game, so this is perfect. I get to learn about it without having the stress of watching 😅 I learned the Korean alphabet in 2020 as a COVID hobby. I found it pretty easy to remember, and it can help with pronunciation a lot. Characters in Korean are pronounced the same way no matter what, unlike confusing English. For example, ”G“ ㄱ is always pronounced like the g in Goat or Gap. It would be written with a ”J“ ㅈ if it’s a soft g like in Giraffe. And “eo” ㅓ is not pronounced ee-ohh, it’s just one sound, “uhh” like u in Up.

[@pedrogomesalmeidadesouza2144]

If the gardener doesnt garden his game of thrones, lets play another game

[@ZealouswolfNZ]

More please, Robert 🙏 I would love to hear your thought I season 2 and what you think will happen going forward.

[@enshanoldmanvilla]

Thank you for this amazing video South Korea, like many other places, has been completely twisted by wild capitalism. If you dig into it, you'll see how this system has drastically shifted cultural values and morality it’s honestly terrifying. The world just seems to spiral deeper into problems every day, all thanks to this unchecked system where the top 1-4% hold all the power. In South Korea, it’s super obvious. Squid Game nails it-it's all about capitalism and how the hidden elites, these modern-day aristocrats, manipulate society and entire nations. It shows how people can unknowingly become slaves to the system, and that’s the real horror. (And just to be clear, I’m not a fan of communism or North Korea thats another monastery to talk about.)

[@WillFredward7167]

Rich+Bored certainly doesn’t *have* to go dark/evil, but the potential for that is profound

[@Jcewazhere]

I mean, technically their money issues are solved whether they win or lose. Great show, great video about it.

[@JervisGermane]

I already saw Battle Royale years ago. I don't need to see that again, however it's repacked.

[@ZoeySaysTransRights]

I was not expecting this crossover.

[@MrGregory777]

Whoa, this was weird. A Song of Ice and Fire, Lord of the Rings, The Witcher and Squid Games

[@armaanshahzad2939]

Are you also going to go over season 2?

[@licmir3663]

My major issue with the Squid Game is (correct me if I’m wrong) that it was never stated by the organizers during the first few rounds that only one person could win the game. They gave the impression that several could win the final prize and share it. Did they lie? Another major issue I have is that the game is made in a way that it dooms some players no matter what they do. It’s unfair. Anyway, it’s a game about killing people, so I can’t complain.

[@stephenmoney4722]

in canada, we call the game, red rover or british bulldog too

[@fransmith3255]

Australia exactly the same names - we called it both. It was banned in most schools in the 70s because it was rough and always ended with crying.

[@thing_under_the_stairs]

@@fransmith3255 I remember playing it in Canada in the 80's, and I quite enjoyed it - I was small, but I was fast and reckless! XD

[@stewart2449]

Warning all!

[@thegovernment0usa]

4:31- Robert, are you based in the USA or is your audience mostly from there? When you were doing the exchange rate, I was expecting the Euro or the Pound.

[@Drecon84]

I've watched most of season 2 at this point and I hope to see more on the series on this channel, although it probably doesn't have as much content in it than some other series :)

[@lakrids-pibe]

The TV series that mrBeast saw and it made him think "What a fun and inspiring concept. I want to be like the producers of that game. EVERY PERSON HAS A PRICE! Muhahaha!"

[@arizonasl]

What happen with the Dune videos??

[@dferrante13]

Could you also talk about Arcane? Would love to hear your take on that show.

[@BringNightmares]

I thought this was an early Apris Fools

[@meanderinoranges]

Cultural osmosis

[@Andrew-mk7zc]

Would you do Helsing ??

[@pargustavsson712]

The marble episode may be one of the best and at the same time most horrible piece of media i have ever watched.

[@anderssn]

Not going to lie, not really the kind of IP I'd want you to cover, but you do you

[@Freakincident]

Well.. I guess I’m here for Robert’s breakdowns regardless of the topic 😂

[@pawefratczak9868]

This is some great fantasy series 😅

[@NEIGH6699]

MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄🎅🦌🍾🥂⛄❄

[@tannerflowers1994]

Please start making cosmere content. I'm literally begging 😂

[@Admiralmeriweather]

Please no

[@antidisestablishmentariani-sm]

We need analysis videos of the POTC 🥹

[@jetboy33]

It's great to see IDG branching out into new territory like this.

[@Exarathas]

I love Squid Game, but I think you might be using Internet Explorer 😅

[@Admiralmeriweather]

Huh? A new season came out. Keep up

[@tomaswolstenholme]

I enjoyed that Robert!

[@fredyphoenix]

The bridge game is a messed up version of hopscotch!

[@fubarmalarky3061]

I'm subscribed to IDK, have watched Squid games, and viewed similar content on KZbin, and yet the algorithm took 4 days to put this video into my feed. No consistency.

[@josephthornton8560]

I didnt pick up on a capitalism connection. Capitalizing? sure, but not capitalism as an economic fundamental.

[@brandy5836]

I did not see this coming

[@PacificEgg]

His voice telling me about Squid Games is kinda weird. 😅

[@sithlorddarthbong4959]

Awesome recap prior to the start of season 2

[@thesand808]

I'm happy to see Robert branching out.

[@stewart2449]

Welcome to the sometimes wonderful world of Korean drama. Look out for Somebody, Be Melodramatic and Reply 1988.

[@BLD426]

Is spoilery with a y or an ie.?😁

[@ga4667]

Who would win squid games: Frodo Baggins or Ned Stark

[@EggHeadShowTV]

Yo this is actually exciting.

[@Riz_Miah]

Great video and a welcome recap with your nice voice but fantasy and sci-fi, not sure it fits. One off video to get a bag then go for it

[@papagian2989]

Japanese original is worth a review

[@6cef]

wait. this isn't about lydia!

[@turkN9NE]

i really enjoyed this. i binge watched it and i typically dont enjoy long running shows anymore. too lengthy and drawn out for me (see walking dead)

[@Zorak9595]

Can it really be said that the inspiration for this was the creators own experiences with poverty? Squid Game is after all a direct rip-off of the Japanese manga "Liar Game" of which the poverty aspect is the main theme.

[@he-lium]

After watching season 2 I still don't understand why he dyed his hair that stupid colour for nothing

[@gwen6622]

stan Jo Yuri

[@gingerabroad1204]

Yes please more of this content

[@Kevtrev006]

I love how you're suddenly covering yet ANOTHER franchise that features one of my all-time favorite characters. Boromir, Arya Stark and Ji-yeong are all up there for me.

[@zero0cash]

great vid, but it takes place in south korea not north korea

[@Admiralmeriweather]

Idgi

[@The_Bashar]

Oh, you grew up in England? Your accent, diction and cadence finally make sense 😅.

[@BigChucka419]

Does the game British Bulldog involve putting someone in a chinlock? If not, it should

[@jeremywilliams5107]

Depends what school you went to 😅

[@simonphelon7221]

Oh there were many, many fights after games of British Bulldog. During too.

[@Em4gdn1m]

Squid Game...?

[@batmansteel778]

Is this Ai?

[@TheSaltyAdmiral]

So we get Squid Games "lore" before Warcraft lore, I dislike this timeline... 🤣

[@smaspa8627]

Please no. You’ve always had a higher standard than Netflix slop

[@MTbone7]

Smart to go in to this subject. After the horrible rings of power and war of the rohirrim, you need fresh content. Good luck

[@Richard_Nickerson]

Nah this isn't the kind of content basically any of us are here for

[@tracaine]

It's your channel of course but going from great literary works to...Netflix drivel is concerning.

[@shaneblair-hicks4975]

This is not what i come to this channel for

[@MichaelPiz]

What does this have to do with capitalism?

[@Admiralmeriweather]

Capitalism is the process of extractiong money and time from the poor. It is not moral or immoral by itself but it incentivizes getting the most out of your workers for the least pay. Thus people ground down by the system become more and more desperate. The games themselves are also a parody of the competitive spirit encouraged under a capitalist system as opposed to the more cooperative spirit that obtains in a pre capitalist society

[@klarkolofsson]

This is a fascist society. Calling it capitalist just signals how little you know about the ideology.

[@LabyrinthMike]

My friends have watched this show while I opted to skip it. It is good to have some context about what they are talking about. But, now that I know the details, it seems a lot like the Hunger Games. And, it sounds as dreadful as I thought it was going to be. Thanks for the excellent video otherwise.

[@majorpwner241]

What...? No. I thought we were getting Dune. Come on man you're better than this.