Squid Game REVIEW - Half Spoilers

[@survivorswapped7637]

I think people are over-exaggerating how "bad" the ending is. Of course it could have been better but it wasn't horrible, I think it made sense and was satisfactory and sets the show up for a season 2. Overall it's an amazing show, I hope it gets some emmy noms.

[@ximienlundquist8487]

Yeah, it wasn’t what I was expecting, but it’s still seared into my brain and I can’t get this series out of my head. I definitely want a season 2

[@markl9319]

the red color of this hair dont come from nowhere, the guards who he always saw were the one in control of the game they always wear red, is like now saying he is in charge of his life. The old guy been the one behind all is was hinted throughout the games.

[@kellygoodine9944]

@@markl9319 Interesting theory about the hair color... and yep... they definitely did hint the old guy was connected in some way... I mean, he was 001... and plus... when they first showed the hand of the man who was suppose to wear the fox mask... it was fairly obvious it was the old man Also when he was toying with Gi hun during the marble tournament. I didn't know people were upset about the ending. That's on those people tbh. The show did an excellent job to set it up while still trying to throw people off the scent.

[@my5head]

My wife and I didn't like the ending because Gi-Hun ended up being a shitty father after all the set-up from the first two episodes.

[@HennyLeeLee]

@@my5head I can understand that, I wanted him to get on that plane SOOO bad😂 But it’s his character (something I appreciate them sticking to). Due to his experiences he’s willing to sacrifice every part of himself for the little guy. Unfortunately his daughter doesn’t apply to that. “She doesn’t really need me, but these people need someone “ A self destructive yes but (imo) a beautiful description of his selflessness

[@Freddos11]

Il-Nam basically stopped the raid when he felt himself in danger, he shouted something like "Stop!". It was a big clue in hindsight.

[@chandrashekard.7543]

Also when you see the cop going through the records, there is no entry for 001 player. It starts with 002.

[@jwlee9036]

I bet he said "stop" not because he felt himself in danger but because he felt his game was in danger.

[@herz5159]

Also because he wanted players alive for the games to continue

[@anklebreaka03]

i'm forgetting, which scene/episode was this?

[@WastedPo]

It made sense, but it wasn't a very satisfying twist. When an ending kills the rewatchability and enjoyment of many key, moving moments and relationships from the rest of the episodes, it's probably not worth doing it.

[@noir289]

The soundtrack for this show doesn't get enough praise. It honestly made the whole show for me from that creepy theme that played throughout to 'Fly Me to the Moon'... just loved it

[@vincejester7558]

One ep had an intense percussion track throughout. I gotts to hunt that down. Kind of like the Birdman soundtrack.

[@matthewk3685]

The policeman’s brother being the Front Man was a commentary on how the people from the lower class that “make it” to the 1% decide to join in with their exploitative practices instead of trying to dismantle the systems that further widen the class divide.

[@janlet627]

I hope season 2 is a prequel showing why The Front Man decided to join after winning his Squid Game.

[@mgsneo]

but i think the front man believe the game is good for those people since he said they need to make sure the game is fair and equal to everyone because then it give them the last fighting chance to redeem themselves cause the world out there is cruel and unfair to those people. the front man believed in the "goodness" of the game and his "mission" from what he said, not like being the 1% and "exploiting" the players... but then, however if that's the case it doesn't really justify the killing besides to amuse those rich vip (they saying players are like horses in horse race but they won't kill the horse tho...), may be he thinks there needs to be some sacrifice to make this work since where the money from then, the "best" they can do is giving them the freedom to choose joining willingly and vote to end the game. this also shows how bad the outside world is coz at least the game is more "fair" and "equal"...

[@matthewk3685]

@@mgsneo Yeah it could be pretty hard to just overlook the murder for entertainment thing. Also it was pretty obvious that him shooting his brother was painted as a betrayal and showed who his real allegiances now lie with

[@majorlazor5058]

Great analysis!!!! He represents someone who not only pulls the ladder up once they climb to the top, but he becomes just as ruthless to those from his former socio-economic class.

[@bboysupes]

And I wonder if season 2 will maybe feature the Squid Game staff trying to recruit Seong Gi-hun to their team while exploring how the Front Man got where he was.

[@carolinamayen]

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but the way they portray Americans is usually how Americans depict other nationalities; they use cliches. This was an interesting way to turn things around for once.

[@robertbench5187]

Nah it's cliche. A lot of asian shows and movies portray Americans and western people like that.

[@rei-ef6xm]

@@robertbench5187 Very true. I've watched kdramas for a long time and the acting from the American actors are always bad.

[@crono_digger]

No it wasn't. The lines were absolute trash and their acting was horrible. The whole show had clever writing until they introduced the VIP members.

[@Neofilmcritic]

So cause holywood does dumb stereotypes that means others should follow?!? How about writing good characters instead

[@raindropsonroses3919]

What I find interesting is that Americans always seem to view themselves at the centre of the universe 🥴they didn’t just portray Americans, there were English accents, Chinese and other indiscernible accents in there as well . As you can tell , not an American and glad I’m not

[@leonthesleepy]

This show broke my heart in the best possible way. Ep 6 is a masterpiece

[@phillippepym1560]

Loved that episode.

[@restlessoblivion]

Definitely the best and most heartbreaking episode of the season. "It was an honor... To be your partner."

[@pixigirl999]

@@restlessoblivion 🥺

[@annabrenda8694]

I get it that everyone is so enthused about the show but A masterpiece? I don't know about that Nothing about the whole show says masterpiece The writers didn't really try at all They just put in a bunch of horrific deaths, made you feel for some characters and then killed them to jerk tears Its not that great, it's just cheap

[@phillippepym1560]

@@annabrenda8694 oh you must work for the academy awards!

[@Erasureeraser]

If you hate any of the characters in this series, then the actors did a great job in playing their own characters. Everyone's performance was truly superb

[@Aamonnater]

Idk about that, people always say that but imo it’s kinda easy to be hated, harder to be loved

[@cakecrumb095]

I despised the VIPs not because they were so evil you had to hate them, but because the actors were so terrible. My high school drama teacher, who was a great actress but not in movies or anything, would have done a better job.

[@Aamonnater]

@@cakecrumb095 well according to Riley they must have done a great job lmao

[@JasonJia909]

@@cakecrumb095 My guess is it's just tougher to find decent non-korean actors in SK, so you end up scraping the bottom of the barrel. They did a great job with Ali, of course, but he's a series regular and they're going to spend a lot more time with casting that character. Probably didn't spend nearly as much time with the VIPs

[@oofx2698]

Agreed, until I remembered the “VIP’s” God, like Grace said, really just awful actors… I thought if maybe it wasn’t written in English then maybe some stuff got lost in translation? So it just sounded corny? Idk I could also maybe just be making excuses because I LOVED this show… but yeah, I really could’ve done without those people lol

[@mciach1227]

The old man was never in any danger. During tug of war his chain cuffs are missing the locks that the other players have on their cuffs. During red light green light , the giant girl never would scan him for movement. If you rewatch knowing the ending , you will see allot of the clues. Great show

[@NoticeDesign]

Don't know where you are getting that. I just rewatched that part after I read this comment and in the overhead his cuffs have locks.

[@BigSleepyOx]

Seems he could've easily been killed during the battle royal.

[@Junksaint]

Eh, that takes away from the symbolism and microcosms the show set up. I figured he has extreme PTSD and made up the end, that'd be better objectively for the whole show.

[@zkeletonz001]

You should have marked this with a spoiler alert.

[@Uouttooo]

He was never in danger not because he wasn't chained to the rope but the guillotine would not have been dropped to chop up the rope if he ended up hanging with the other players.

[@ludenunes6606]

3 Points (with SPOILERS): 1) I actually liked the ending a lot. For me, it felt very somber and appropriate. But I see that as of late endings that please the overwhelming vajority f audiences seem harder and harder to come by... 2) I don't see Sang-woo as a full and true villain. He just seems like a guy who has the ruthlessness it would take to succeed in a cutthroat enviroment like the business world - just more heightened in a situation where his life is on the line. Indeed, I see some hints that this is something that he learned to be, not his actual natural disposition. 3) I don't think the final twist regarding Oh Il-nam ruins his friendship with Gi-hun. Indeed, the fact that he called him to be at his deathbed and bothered to explain his motivations seems to imply that he had real esteem for him. Besides, let's not forget that he is the mastermind behind a death game that he himself chooses to take part in; ergo, he is kinda messed up. His sense of friendship might not be very normal... Anyway, don't think the show was perfect - but it came very darn close...

[@lullaby508]

Point 3. It shows that the friendship to IL Nam was real to both of them. He wanted his friend to understand him and that's why he tried to explain his position before he died and he wants Gi Hun to have a good life.

[@MADDROBB]

I agree with all three points you’ve made. I don’t understand why people don’t like the ending. I think most people want to live in that fantastical world where a sweet old man is always innocent, but everyone has their flaws and the flaws are what makes genuine character development

[@markl9319]

the red color of this hair dont come from nowhere, the guards who he always saw were the one in control of the game they always wear red, is like now saying he is in charge of his life. The old guy been the one behind all is was hinted throughout the games.

[@pgplaysvidya]

sang-woo is like true neutral. completely pragmatic until the end. To some people that makes him even more evil but I disagree

[@juniorjames7076]

When I was in law school I felt like I was surrounded by Sang-woo types. So i agree. I don't think my classmates were evil, but I knew many were willing to do whatever it took, including sabotaging others, to graduate in the top 5%.

[@dairallan]

The double consent in this was one of the biggest emotional beats of the whole show. In the Battle Royale genre it is ALWAYS coercive, never consensual. Even when you have pseudo-consent (i.e. forced by circumstances) which happens occasionally and clearly the first consent in this show was the pseudo-consent. but adding the second consent, with everything known, the consequences, that made this stand out in the genre.

[@TheCarlScharnberg]

Btw, I'm not so sure the brother /police man actually died. He was shot in the shoulder, and you didn't see him die. I also thought it was strange that they BOTH decided to give each other non-lethal injuries. And the fact that the brother recorded what the game was all about, and that we didn't get to see whether it was successfully sent out or not, makes me think we'll see more about this in a season 2. Definitely don't think it was the end of that storyline.

[@MrTresBN]

I thought the same watching it. My only issue with that is that they said like 5 years passed by before the "ending". If he was alive, I don't know how they'd feasibly address that.

[@glipgloppapi9959]

What if they bring him in as one of the shape guards or the front man 🤭

[@nathanlatham5651]

Yeah the front man didn’t want to kill his brother but the guards were watching, he’d have to hope his brother could make it to shore with a bullet in his shoulder

[@nathanlatham5651]

@@MrTresBN I think it was only around a year, it was his daughters bday in the first episode and again when he’s about to leave for America to see her

[@Trish-lamour]

It seemed to me like the brother didn't want to actually kill his brother.

[@noahjacobs1471]

i’m gay, and i found the predatory portrayal of the man with the mask very accurate and cutting - not at all offensive and certainly reflective of a particular type of person that very much so exists. also i think it wouldn’t have really made sense to shoehorn in another gay character just for the sake of them being sympathetic - any number of the players could’ve been gay (i have a feeling the two younger girls were) but it naturally wouldn’t have to be stated outright in this kind of situation

[@noobofalltrades9766]

Also, Grace forgets that this was made for the korean market, where south korea doesn't really portray outright LGBT characters like that. It would have actually detracted to the series if they shoehorned that in because it wouldn't have been received as favorably as it was by the South Korean viewers and in turn wouldn't have been shown outside and becoming a global phenomenon. I think Grace and others like her have to realize that American values are mostly just that, American. It might be shared by other westernized countries but as you go eastwards those values differ slightly or greatly depending where you are. Some topics are still taboo in some countries and culture, you can't just put that in to appease people somewhere else that isn't your main group of viewers to begin with.

[@vanlalruatfela4965]

Maybe you live in a very accepting community ,good for you,but for some other communities these type of portrayals are used as an excuse to assume that all gays are predators,but I kinda agree with you on the second point

[@Billoo04]

@@noobofalltrades9766 wait so you're saying by making the predatory character gay....it IS favourable to the Korean market??

[@Billoo04]

To each their own I guess. I do agree with Grace on this one though, not on it being offensive really, but on the fact that the shows ONLY out right queer character is portrayed in such a manner ESPECIALLY in the Korean market, where LGBTQ+ rights are an issue.

[@Hyades81]

​@@noobofalltrades9766 Well, it's a global phenomenon because Netflix produced it. Gay people in Korean media are often depicted in a very derogatory way so I'm not surprised here. I understand that cultures are different, but it shouldn't stop us from pointing the obvious: an old rich gay white man trying to abuse a young Korean policeman. It wasn't really shocking to me, but I couldn't help but notice it. We are not trying to change minds here, we get the context. However, South Korea is no longer the insular country it used to be, they are making a lot of effort in promoting their culture outside of Korea. In that regards, they are things that a non-Korean audience it's going to enjoy or not. These types of reaction should not be surprising.

[@greengruff5571]

There is a running theme through the show of the two colours red and green, red is strong, green is weak, the guards are red the players are green,Lee Jung-jae's hair is red at the end to show his character is now in a position of power. You should watch it again, if you do, you will realise things like, that all the games they play, were on the walls all along.

[@majorlazor5058]

Good point. I saw a review that mentioned this theme.

[@benjaminshabu4406]

Good points. I also saw a video where someone mentioned that Gin-Hu by dying his hair red has become part of the system of power and the video theorises that the old man saw him as essentially and heir and replacement

[@oliserpas2326]

Guards are pink tho ?

[@majorlazor5058]

@@oliserpas2326 Adjust your tv contrast

[@knighthawk3749]

I think that as games continued the pictures of a previous games were added.

[@fasjher]

The ending was slow, great and poignant, more fitting to a serious drama than a cheap slasher series. Great choice 👍

[@manart6506]

Yeah I say the ending is actually very good.

[@whiteknight8734]

For a K-DRAMA, the acting was quite realistic for the most part. K-drama has a tendency of over dramatizing everything and this show was almost without it. Overall a very good show, but a one-time watch for me.

[@benjaminshabu4406]

I loved the ending

[@LeahB31]

When it comes to Korean shows casting foreign actors to play someone from the west, 95% of the time they are bad actors. I’ve seen thousands of hours worth of Korean shows and I’ve become accustomed to that.

[@majorlazor5058]

I didn’t think they actually seemed especially bad considering we couldn’t see most of their faces.

[@LeahB31]

@@majorlazor5058 Yes, those mask definitely helped in this case. 😂 I don’t blame them for this practice, because they understandably don’t have a large pool of foreign actors in Korea to pull from.

[@majorlazor5058]

@@LeahB31 The actor who played Ali was pretty good.

[@LeahB31]

@@majorlazor5058 He was a supporting character that was speaking Korean. I mean the small foreigner roles where they are usually speaking a foreign language as well. Bigger roles are exceptions usually, but it’s also rare that a foreigner has a big role.

[@bgkid14]

I’m surprised it’s not mentioned that the foreshadowing for how each characters story would end was shown in episode 2. How 067 last thing was putting the knife to the man’s neck and threading him, and she ended up getting slashed in the neck. Or how 101 jumped over the bridge to get away from the gangsters and in the end he died falling from the glass bridge. Really creative.

[@majorlazor5058]

Wow

[@keane2160]

and sangwoo trying to kill himself in the bathtub then he stabs himself in the game

[@slee2695]

And Ali runs away with the boss' money and has his pouch stolen

[@Uouttooo]

So Karma catched up to all of them?

[@conradbho]

The red hair: It's an interesting take because making a drastic change to hair; in asian culture; usually only happens after a traumatic event so it's a bit on the nose, but also signifying he's ready for a fresh start. The red hair is pretty common in korea, japan, and china where I'm from so it didn't need much explanation.

[@EdricHsu]

And also, he was probably so numb and out of the whole tragic situation by then that he just randomly chose the only short hairstyle among the posters.

[@MariaRodriguez-hb4ix]

Exactly . I usually saw that on Shojo manga . Where the main cut her hair because she was dump .

[@therealeverton]

...also the red Vs green. There was potential for the lead, crossing the wealth divide to join the red side.

[@moderatecanuck]

@@therealeverton this

[@sips1ck]

I thought the red also symbolized the blood spilt in the squid game as red is the color of blood

[@DjDmt]

Not all endings need to have a cliffhanger like a American shows do. I found the ending perfect, no over the top BS and sets it up perfectly for the next season

[@aiotld]

I don't see Song Woo as a Villain. I see him as a product of the system. Like don't hate the player, hate the game. He was just smart enough to realize there could only be one winner and who is to say that each of us might not do the same in order to live. Just like we don't like the VIPs but aren't we like the VIPs in watching this show kill off people for our entertainment?

[@jonathanjohnson6727]

Half agree, except whose to say only one is allowed to win. Remember the opening of ep 1 there was multiple people participating in the Squid Game(which ended up being the final showdown). Yet the guardsmen stated, 'Those who complete all six games receive the reward.' Meaning it's open to multiple as _those_ is plural. Yet those within the game either determined their greed outweighs that and/or its just as prophetic as we the viewers enjoying the show like the VIPs.

[@Tizjiz]

You are right about Song Woo until he murdered outside the game.

[@lunavioleta001]

@@Tizjiz He didn't murdered outside the game. He only did it when it was the only option. Now, what he did to be in debt makes an asshole and there's no justification.

[@lunavioleta001]

@@jonathanjohnson6727 It is obviously set for one to win or one small team. If not, they wouldn't of kept going and going. The rules are just there to make people believe they can work together until they have to play a game where they are forced to be against each other.

[@Tizjiz]

@@lunavioleta001 he murdered the girl while she was injured before the final game.

[@heathenpotato]

Imo Sangwoo and Gihun represent the two different ways you can essentially "win" in a capitalist system. Sangwoo gets to the top by being ruthless and willing to step on anyone in his way, including those who trusted him. Gihun, on the other hand, gets to the top through a mixture of dumb luck and a lot of help from those around him. However, one thing the show is extremely clear about is that regardless of how you get to the top of the system, it's impossible to do so without any blood on your hands. They both had to choose to kill someone else to live and climb higher on the economic ladder so to speak. The system is inherently brutal and violent.

[@jonaskoelker]

> Sangwoo and Gihun represent the two different ways you can essentially "win" in a capitalist system [...] regardless of how you get to the top of the system, it's impossible to do so without any blood on your hands. They both had to choose to kill someone else to live and climb higher on the economic ladder so to speak. The system is inherently brutal and violent. Can you give me an example of someone who at time t0 had substantially less wealth than at t1 and who killed someone, or otherwise engaged in brutality and violence, between t0 and t1, and who wouldn't have experienced their wealth gain without killing/brutality/violence? I think you get promotions at work by delivering something of value, not killing your colleagues. You get to be CEO either by founding your own company, or by having the skills which the people who hire CEOs look for. Having a murderer (or violent and brutal person) around in the office is probably bad for staff morale. Or... am I missing your point? Like, I make more money now than when I was a student. I've never killed anyone. Can you think of people you've met in real life who translated more violence into more money, somehow? What proportion of people you know are like that?

[@wyatt6403]

After this, Dark, Young Royals, Money Heist, and even to an extent Elite…Netflix really has no competitor when it comes to foreign shows and movies.

[@suntzu9777]

Most of those shows are pure shit

[@noeisnothere]

I watched Dark recently and it was absolutely amazing. If it was an american show everyone would be talking about it

[@thatweirdboy]

@@suntzu9777 elite is a guilty pressure but the rest is top tier !!

[@vinnyfromvenus8188]

@@noeisnothere everyone _is_ talking about it wdym

[@kevinwendellcrumb1802]

Add Kingdom to that list

[@derf0007]

Squid Game is a masterpiece. Great story, characters, plot, payoff, visuals, music, and message. The ending can come across a little odd to some, but I honestly loved it and couldn't see it ending any other way. 10/10

[@manart6506]

Only thing for me is it would end definitively. I like it more that way that open for a sequel

[@derf0007]

@@manart6506 it's kind of like how the Matrix 1 ended. Open to interpretation. I honestly hope they don't make a season 2.

[@manart6506]

@@derf0007 well in matrix Neo pretty much had to end like that. But in SG the protagonist could have carried on with what he was doing instead of going the other way. I think.

[@majorlazor5058]

@@derf0007 You will be disappointed.

[@derf0007]

@@majorlazor5058 disappointed about what? I already watched it.

[@damanamathos]

Finished Squid Game tonight and enjoyed it. Really amazing how Netflix can bring global content like this to the world; you couldn't imagine this ever being popular in a pre-Netflix world.

[@leonthesleepy]

Gotta say, i really appreciate how Sang Woo was written. He's so relatable in a very DIFF way from the protagonist. Jung hoyeon is my fav tho haha

[@quizzlybear]

Eeew you find yourself relatable to Sang Woo? That's is a problem! He's realistic yes, but if you relate to him I'm scared for the people around you.

[@vnsh1524]

@@quizzlybear relatable as in most people would do what sangwoo did if their LIFE was on the line. No one knows what they'll be like and how they'll act like if they were in a real life squid game

[@javiervasquez9183]

​@@quizzlybearThe protagonist did the same that Sang-woo, he tried to trick his oponent, and kill it.

[@TheGoldenDonuttt]

A theory about the red hair going on KZbin. The drunk homeless in the final episode was saved by a man with red (ginger) Hair. Red restored a little faith in humanity for him so he went with red. LOL allegedly. I am actually ok with the ending. I'm not sure how else they would have ended it. For me wasn't a WOW ending but not bad at all.

[@GiaDiamond4]

Pretty sure it just represents him graduating to the “staff’s” level of power.

[@pabloduran4510]

@@GiaDiamond4 definitely agree with this. I think it represents the beginning of his being corrupted by the money he now had. One year after having it, after the dust and trauma settles - him dying his hair the same color of the guards in the game and starting to dress is fine suits, then ultimately abandoning his family again to pursue this fight against the game - I think this points toward him going bad in season 2 and potentially taking over the running of the game vs taking it down (bcs of his gambling addiction)

[@TheGoldenDonuttt]

@@pabloduran4510 Really? That's an interesting take. For me that would a weird turn ...all that character progression through the season then having him go bad after all the emotions he felt..I dont know...might be interesting but I'm sure everyone is rooting for him to take down the organisation.

[@jantimatter60]

Red strings represent "fate" in Chinese and Korean folk lore. You tie a red string around your pinky and make a "pinky swear." He pinky swore to play the game in the Marble episode. Fate in a the promise of a mens' hands VS Fate as a choice of the mind and 100s of red strings (hair strands) representing the binders of names of those who played before him

[@nailinthefashion]

him spontaneously picking "whatever" new hairstyle was so well shot, it's my second favourite scene after the marbles. i love how we saw him scan the photos idk it felt so 90s and relatable since taking control of something you can is almost universal

[@majorlazor5058]

Even though the character seems to have spontaneously picked the hairstyle apparently the color red in the show symbolizes being in more control or above the class of desperate people who are victim to the Squid Game.

[@nailinthefashion]

@@majorlazor5058 it's the opposite of their green track suits, it was brilliant writing on multiple levels

[@Erasureeraser]

After watching this series, who else wanna try the old man's strategy for Tug Of War?? 😂😂😂

[@Ronariverah]

I think there is a KZbin video that tests the strategy.

[@BushidoBrownSama]

facts

[@delishdida]

The old man's way of ToW works. We tried them in our uni games and frequently wins. Everything he said is exactly what the captain tells us before every game. But the 3 step thing I have never tried.

[@sofiamourao1604]

I wanna try 😂😂

[@hexsystem7891]

There are international Tug of War competitions where they pulled this strategy from.

[@NezeruGaming]

After Squid Game, Grace should check out Kingdom also on Netflix. The series is severely underexposed to big western film reviewers.

[@ludenunes6606]

If you check Rotten Tomatoes, it seems Squid Game's success raised the interest in Alice in Borderland. Hopefully something similar may happen with Kingdom by the time the third season comes along (fingers crossed).

[@ebbfloe]

Agreed. I was just saying that a minute ago

[@YvonneNicolas]

Kingdom was outstandin! I honestly didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. The movie was great as well-answered a lot of questions I had during the series.

[@ghenghispenghis3669]

Absolutely. Please Grace, interested in your opinion of Kingdom. One of the outstanding dramas on Netflix.

[@catestuff]

YEEESSS Kingdom is the best

[@roguegambit8575]

The ending was not as bad as some people are making it out to be. But to be honest, people may not be crazy for the ending but most of the viewers did not hate the ending and actually found it shocking

[@Rollinjoint]

I didn’t like it cause I wished main character should have killed the old man

[@cassidyleonards2411]

I mean, it's a meme that women change their hair whenever they go through an emotional time or traumatic period. Changing your hair is a pretty universal sign of a new start.

[@jakratako]

Don't ask about LGBTQ+ character from Korea's contents. Korea is conservative country. They have no openly gay on TV and not allowed tattoo show on TV 😅

[@basebenthem1080]

But they literally had an LGBTQ+ character on the show and he was predatory asf, it’s as if they’re demonizing homosexuality…………

[@avatarmanu8]

@@basebenthem1080 which is fine! Why? Gays can't be predatory?

[@TheGhostPanel]

SPOILER: The old man was dying anyway and was totally okay with dying in the process of the game. That the ending ruins the subplot of the friendship between the old man and the protagonist is kind of the point. Even after the game has been won, it still takes things from him. The cruelty of the game, does not start and end with the island, it stretches over the world.

[@LC-fo1mw]

I think that this movie wasn't geared to the LGBTQ + community, that it was geared to the commen community and that they didn't have to have the token boy person just because they made a movie. I mean you don't hear the black community crying that their wasn't a single black character. The movie wasn't made for just us. Geeze

[@ishould9250]

It was nice watching a show that didn't feel the need to shoehorn in a token lgbt character just to tick a box like you see with so many other shows. I worry that if there's a Squid Game 2 Netflix will force them to do that.

[@naromngin]

The reason is that the old man was overlooked and underestimated because of his appearance. A frail old man poses no threat to the other challengers who are much younger and stronger than him. He was able to survive the games because he was good at them. He was the one that picked the games after all.

[@Uouttooo]

He was the first person to actually play Red Light Green Light and he was never going to die in that game of marbles so he could safely give all the marbles away.

[@TheRumblewagon]

Once I started this series, I couldn't stop watching until the end. Incredible story, acting, and character building.

[@abelguillen8285]

The red hair was a representation of how he was no longer in those green tracksuits but rather becomes as strong as the red outfits of the staff, troopers, and managers. Also how initially when playing the slapping game, he picked green signifying he's role playing the game and he was up against the red adminostrator. And 001 orchestrated everything so he wouldn't die, during the raid when he was on top of his bed and crying to stop, that was a clever signal to the front man to shutdown the raid. He also didn't have his shackles locked during the tug of war game and during the red light & green light game, if you look closely when the robot girl toy was scanning the contestants, 001 didn't have the same green tint on him or around him as the other players, showing that it was programmed to not kill him. It's an overall clever show with a little details that make so much sense after finishing the show

[@Extremexanderrs]

the red color of the hair is about the red guys in the game, witch had "the control" over participants. The protagonist becomes in control of his actions/fate at the ending.

[@antoyal]

Sang-Woo is the embodiment of "Don't hate the player, hate the game." All of the other players were still entertaining the fantasy of being able to win without everyone else dying first.

[@javiervasquez9183]

Sang-woo is not an horrible person, he is real and intelligent, he knews that only one can win. He was my favorite. The protagonist did the same that Sang-woo, he tried to trick his oponent, and kill it (the old guy)

[@LeonC0704]

He was horrible. They who knew they would die, but you could let it play out instead of killing people yourself

[@Introvertsan]

I don't think he is evil but he did do evil. Most of them would die anyway so he didn't need to do two out of the three things he did. He didn't need to push the guy off the glass bridge and he didn't need to kill the girl as she was dying already.

[@StarzRayne22]

The reason Gi Hun dyed his hair is because of power thing, the reds had the power in the game and dying his hair made him feel in control out of the game. Had he chosen the red card instead of the green he would of been one of the shape guards, i also like how they foreshadowed all of their deaths in episode 2, like Sangwoo's suicide, Sae Byeok put a knife to a man's throat and thats how she died, Ali was swindled and Deok Su, fell from a bridge.

[@annabrenda8694]

I don't get why everyone is calling Cho Sang-Woo a bad guy, some even go so far as to say he's the villain of the entire show. The Squid game isn't some football tournament, wherein beating your opponent means they just get less points and are eventually knockout of the competition, THIS IS LIFE OR DEATH, beating an opponent is akin to signing their death warrant whether you want to or not. Everyone of the players had to kill someone in order to progress in the game. Seong Gi-Hun had to have known that wining the tug of war game meant killing everyone on the other team, he had no right to fustigate Cho Sang-Woo for actively killing the people he killed in the last part of the competition. It was like he was dumb or something, how do you return to a death match of your own volition and not expect to have to kill people? Cho Sang-Woo came to terms with this reality of being in a death match when he returned to the game and thus programmed his mind for the horrible choices he was going to have to make if he wanted to not just win, but survive Him betraying Ali and Seong Gi-Hun didn't mean he loved them any less or that he was some psychopath, he was being pragmatic. We saw him give helpful tips to Seong Gi-Hun in the first game red light green light, he assisted Ali at the store even though he didn't have to and when Ali got killed because of him we saw his reaction, it was like a piece of him died with Ali. What was he supposed to do, just let himself get killed even though he could prevent it ? The creators of the game are some unscrupulous sadistic goof twats who don't value any human life except their own, I mean they flippantly decimated 200+ souls AT THE VERY START of the competition! The whole competition was rigged so hundreds would die except the winner, whose win meant they also won because they gamble on the games so I don't think sticking to morals would augur well for anyone who wanted to survive

[@erikschakel487]

Concerning the red hair change, I heard someone say that trough out the whole series you see red and blue colors, the blue is connected to people not in control while red is signifying people in control (for example the red guards and the blue players) with him dyeing his hair red, the series is telling the audience that he is finally taking charge of his own life. I thought that was a pretty good way of looking at it.

[@chrisnado9471]

I found it crazy how episode 2 foreshadowed how each of them were going to die. That alone, told me that the writing was very complex.

[@CarlosMartinez-ih4zl]

You can forgive the Korean production team for having a limited choice of actors for the VIPs...but I can't believe Netflix let that slide. Their scenes took me so out of it.

[@lullaby508]

As a long time Korean show watcher,. I dread scenes with foreign actors. I know them now. They use a handful of of them for most films and shows.

[@MariaRodriguez-hb4ix]

@@lullaby508 I presume the pool of foreign actors on South Korea is very small . Same for other Asian countries . Usually those acting tend to be dreadful .

[@lullaby508]

@@MariaRodriguez-hb4ix many of them are not actors per se. They are foreigners Non-asian people living in the country. I can live with those scenes. I will manage.

[@MariaRodriguez-hb4ix]

@@lullaby508 They had to work with whoever can deliver some English lines and look non - Asian . Even if the foreigner can't speak English nor act . I already knew that . I'm more into manga . But I occasionally see Asian movies or series .

[@lullaby508]

@@MariaRodriguez-hb4ix Yeah I am fine with it. The show must go on. It's not a deal breaker for me.

[@tarisblvck2156]

Go back and watch through the show, the old man never could’ve died the whole time. Even in tug of war, when they win he’s the only one that doesn’t have locks on his cuffs and could’ve escaped the whole time.

[@WingStorm]

*I'm in the National Gaurd so I was in Basic Training for 11 weeks, and now I'm in AIT, but as soon as I was able to get on the internet, Squid Game was everywhere, needless to say I loved it and finished the season in two days* 😂👏🏻

[@clydeericksoncapati7566]

SPOILER AHEAD: The main character colored his hair red by the end of the season because he now has some form of power (money). The use of the colors red and green were both in your face and subtle in showing the difference between the greater and the lesser. Red were worn by the game runners, while green was given to the players. Moreover, we all know that people who changes their hair can sometimes have their own psychological reasons. For him, dyeing his hair red shows he now the own who's in control of his life. edit: i know it doesnt look good hahaha. Im just saying that I understand why they did it.

[@Aamonnater]

Regardless it looks terrible ngl

[@clydeericksoncapati7566]

@@Aamonnater it did lol. Im not defending it hahha

[@delishdida]

He should have stuck with black. That's the colour of front man.

[@Aamonnater]

@@clydeericksoncapati7566 lol

[@joshuablackman7512]

Grace why did you post this exactly when my class started 😂😂

[@BeyondTheTrailer]

Hehe :) Evil laugh

[@56postoffice]

I watched the whole series nearly 3 weeks ago. At the time it wasn't even in the UK's top 10 yet. It's the title that grabbed my attention. Top, top show.

[@Theredspirit]

It's been such a long time since I've seen a show this good.

[@operatorlink]

The ending wasn't bad, it is just lots of people don't get it. The old man had some truths he want teach the main character. Sure he is rich and is the villain who organise the game, but there are some things he wants the main character to learn about life. He actively approach the main character, he wants to help him get out of his hole which cannot be solve by just giving money alone. The old man wanted him to have an attitude change towards life.

[@tarek-tj1gf]

This show was phenomenal. I really hope to see some Emmy’s for it!

[@that_darn_rob]

Grace on the vips "WHY WHERE THEY MOSTLY AMERICANS?" the slight offense had me in tears 😂😂🤣🤣

[@Jay-wz8zw]

A few thoughts: 1. I loved this show! It was really great and packed a lot of punch. I wonder what can possibly follow it, and I’m thinking I may need check out Alice in Borderland. 2. While i agree that Sang-Woo was the most ruthless because he was closest or most aspiring to the upper class, i don’t think he was as bad. He did what he did to survive. The game makers do it for entertainment.

[@wordsinahandle]

How was alice in borderland?

[@jking4973]

The VIP’s felt so out of place, especially because the main cast, even the side characters, were phenomenal actors.

[@MackCruz28]

The VIPs actors were horrible lol

[@Seizetheopportunity2024]

In Korea, it may be hard to find real english actors or actresses

[@jking4973]

@@Seizetheopportunity2024 good point, however if that was the case, I question why they didn’t just cast Korean actors in those roles, as the show takes place in Korea anyways.

[@vincejester7558]

@@jking4973 It was a jab at Americans. We ARE the 1%.

[@jking4973]

@@wa-bu3ke they mostly felt out of place simply because they were such horrible actors, it took me out of the story.

[@jasminewilliams1673]

I’m truly confused on why everyone is surprised that this show blew up, I have been watching Korean thrillers and scary movies for years but at this point ur favorite movie is probably a SK remake. After train to busan I saw more people willing to try them out and finally parasite... it was truly only a matter of time

[@Sharkgirl94]

Kshows/films are sooo good and I think that Kpop got more and more popular over the really helped that development too. Also netflix play a huge part in it too. In germany so many popular kdramas are one it and also very resent shows

[@ryanleslie896]

Squid game was such a blast to watch!! So glad you reviewed it because I’ve been really looking forward to a review on the show as I had such a good time binging it.

[@Zachycali]

Episode 8 had me crying when Sae Byeok got murdered.

[@Pahedi]

I haven't seen the show, but about that LGBT thing you said: I don't think Netflix would have wanted to put more than one LGBT character on a series that they did and based on a country that doesn't even have marriage equality. I don't think South Korea would have cared much about it, and the series was made with them in mind. I don't think Netflix knew how big the series would get in other countries. Maybe in a second season they would do it.

[@TamikaMichelle]

I was thinking the exact samething. 💯

[@seyidana7209]

Isn't it illegal in South Korea already? They're the original target audience, it wouldn't make sense for an lgbt character to be there. Also, the VIPs weren't all Americans, there was a British guy and a Chinese man. Also the head of it was Japanese, but there should've been a woman there.

[@ovicqsxz5305]

the problem was that the ONLY lgbt character in the game was a vip and a sexual predator, the commentary there isn't that nice. also there are original korean netflix shows that have lgbt characters e.g. so not worth it (a sitcom)

[@ethanedward01]

Both the glass maker and the math teacher were a team in the marble game...both survived and proceed to the glass bridge game...

[@bekind3931]

SPOILERY: Maybe this is obv, but the order of games is designed to strengthen their survival instincts to the point of killing. 1st: killers not seen (maybe automated), control of life in player’s hands 2nd: killers masked, militaristic, like a war zone where death is normal, and life in player’s hands w/strategy 3rd: forces them to create alliances, life dependent on others 4th: teaches intelligence & strategy outweigh strength, life dependent on team 5th: designed to bring out survival instinct by forcing death of teammate, life dependent on ppl closest to them dying 6th: removes shame bc everyone benefited, life dependent on outright murder to win, which sets up final game Maybe that’s why prev winner (cop’s brother) stayed to run game - felt like winner/survivor, stronger than he ever had in normal life.

[@juxe411]

you’ve messed up the game order, Game #1: Red Light, Green Light Game #2: Honeycomb Game #3: Tug Of War Game #4: Marbles Game #5: Glass Bridge Game #6: Squid Game

[@bekind3931]

@@juxe411 No. You’re forgetting when they purposely fed them very little so they’d attack each other at night. That was Game #3. Game #4 was the Tug-o-War.

[@juxe411]

@@bekind3931 what? that was not a game at all… that was just a little thing they did inbetween games, i’m talking about the official childhood games where theres a clear game to be played, what was the childhood game for that? survive the night without getting stabbed? i don’t think so…

[@bekind3931]

@@juxe411 You’re right. It wasn’t a childhood game, and I realize now it’s not incl in the diagrams on the wall. I was counting it bc its purpose was for them to create alliances, ppl they cared about and trusted, so they would later be resp for killing them. Once you can kill someone you care about, there’s not much you won’t do for survival.

[@vincejester7558]

@@bekind3931 Night attack was 3.5

[@stylezmorales]

As an aspiring filmmaker myself, I was just floored by the way it was shot but even the story, this was truly a masterclass in filmmaking. I mean come on, they killed it. TBH I am still watching so I'm not listening beyond the non spoiler part of your review Grace, but as far as my feelings on the series so far, production-wise, they did their thing. I loved the characters and as you said playing off of strengths and weaknesses was refreshing. I haven't finished the series but sitting at EP 6 I'm really feeling this. Thanks again for another great review G-Nice, love your channel and dig your style. Ok, enough about you on to the next episode.... right now :)

[@dafttool]

There’s a theory that the Flip Game in the subway determined who were the players & who were the guards. If you picked one color, you played the game. If you picked the other color, you were a guard. I think that sounds like it should be true even if it isn’t

[@majorlazor5058]

Not a good theory.

[@dafttool]

@@majorlazor5058 I disagree. -Whew! That felt good getting off my chest.

[@majorlazor5058]

@@dafttool We are all welcome to our opinions. Even the bad ones.😊

[@vincejester7558]

What are they offering the workers? Not enuff if they gotta side gig involuntary organ donations.

[@IsabelS_Fuyu]

So glad you watched this show! The level of fame and hype this show has gotten is the same as when Parasite came out and it totally deserves all the attention it's getting if not more! Great story, characters, music, cinematography, the production and design!!

[@netjunkie9]

I'm wondering how one would know there are no LGBTQ characters in the show. Because they aren't sexualized? Would that be the defining characteristic of that person? Strange take.

[@biblicaladrian6007]

Guess they'll be one in season 2

[@jaybonn5973]

It occurred to me pretty early on that the audience is basically the VIPS in that were watching scripted entertainment that is presenting what I presume is a reality for many people, all the while kinda ignoring the real aspect because it's too disturbing to think about and do something about.

[@samhachmeister9876]

SPOILER: The raid ends when Il-Nam yells for everyone to stop. Watch it again yo.

[@Daresport]

I’ve never binged a series so fast like this one! Totally captivated my attention!!!

[@himbjoe5228]

Spoilery: Loved how looking back at it, episode 2 set up the characters but also foreshadowed how the deaths were gonna play out. Also episode 6 was just heartbreaking and I was just in tears watching the credits after it ended

[@Erasureeraser]

This show had a great set up in episode 1 then it gets better after episodes to episodes. Love this series

[@muhamadzainuri9455]

About the LGBT, i think they dont highlight LGBT characters except that VIP member is bcs south korea is not that open toward LGBTQ stuff. It's still considered taboo there.

[@ladycabriga3481]

One important point which proves how clever was writing was - the foreshadowing of some of the characters from episode 2. I just noticed those after I rewatched the whole series. Just thinking it should be highlighted. Also, the main character's hair color, it's the same color as the guards' uniform - which just shows that the main lead has now gained power. Hope that makes sense:)

[@ladislaugomes7447]

I knew the old man was not a normal player, because he was the one who stopped the raid if you remember.

[@EmmanuelZaher]

Agree 100% !!! I was going to DM you my review but then I didn’t. It’s fascinating I hit the same marks as you! You have certainly been key to my viewing experience with shows and movies. Loved it! Great review!!!

[@PerfectoKiss]

So a gay person cannot be a villain without a good gay person to balance it off?

[@vice.nor.virtue]

the bad gay character was unnecessary so they might as well balance it with a good unnecessary gay character i guess

[@PaulSmith-pe1kh]

What?!? The ending was perfect! It could have been so expected and predictable but it went and went and went for it over and over. Loved it

[@ebbfloe]

South Korean content is seriously knocking it out of the park. Another recommendation to watch is Kingdom on Netflix. Not to be confused with Frank Grillo’s Kingdom (also a really good show).

[@FancyAlly]

I’m so happy South Korea has had another global hit with Squid Game. I’m looking forward to more & hopefully a season two of Squid Game

[@astradave_]

I really don't agree with you're take that song-woo is a "villain." I think he is just doing what he has to do to survive and be a self preservationist in the way he thinks is right. The way he does it is questionable but in a game where it's either live or die you'd do some crazy things to try and survive.

[@rasul01]

11:05 Yeah, there's something really cool and beautiful in being reminded of the power there is in collectives and in a group of people working together. I loved how the whole segment of tug of war focused on that.

[@DJplaymySong]

It's interesting cuz the native Korean audience are actually pretty critical of the show.

[@caitlinb35]

Ive heard a little bit about this and it definitely intrigues me. Could you elaborate a bit if you know more? Any ideas why this might be the case?

[@Anu32148]

Really??!

[@You_TroII]

But to be fair S Korea is very critical about everything from their native country. Lol

[@yogafrogz]

There's a video on Asianboss channel where they interview native Koreans about the show

[@You_TroII]

@Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht Thats true, I would add Germany and Japan as well 👍🏼

[@seoxsun]

21:56 they were not all americans. chicken france rabbit korea bear russia deer china buffalo america.

[@SPARTANoh11]

I actually loved the ending. I don’t want a season 2. It probably won’t be as good. Spoilers: . Episode 2 foreshadowing main character deaths was so done so cleverly. Also the iL-Nam was never in danger. Game 1 he wasn’t targeted by the doll. Game 2 he made the game and would have definitely been able to finish the honeycomb game. Game 3 his locks are missing when they won the tug-of-war game. I think he had a way to unlock himself in case he needed to. Game 4 if he wasn’t picked, he would have made his exit and pretend he was killed off to the players. He definitely could have died in game 5.

[@MikeTrieu]

I think he was always in peril. Think about it. The only reason he joined the game personally was because he was bored with life and was going to die soon, anyway. He has no more sense of self-preservation, just the thrill of the game. That's why he's so adamant about the rules being played fairly. It would be hypercritical of him to reduce the challenge for himself. No risk, no stake.

[@AnonUnlimited]

@@MikeTrieu I think its a mix of both. He joined the game for a thrill but he was never in true danger. It just like how the rich and powerful like to play at being poor or appropriate poor aesthetics but they dont have the worries of being poor.

[@Paul20661]

We all gotta be disguised as guards this Halloween ordering my suit tomorrow haha

[@Paul20661]

I did and finished watching the show last night,came back here for the spoiler part haha

[@tinytynaaa]

About the VIPs being mostly Americans: one was Russian, one was Chinese and one was Il-nam (S.Korean). If I counted correctly, there were 5 VIPs in the room (Il-nam wasn't there). So that's not really "mostly Americans". More like 50/50. Also: is everyone forgetting that most of the richest people in the world are US Americans? It makes sense that there would be lots of them who don't know how to spend their money.

[@MackCruz28]

Those VIPs actors were horrible, I can perform better than them

[@123-u1x8m]

USA is I think Openly richest not necessarily have the most richest in the world , I think that is China and Russia

[@tinytynaaa]

@@MackCruz28 .. Did I say something about the acting? I was referring to the fact that some US Americans were offended by the choice of making the VIPs "mostly Americans"

[@tinytynaaa]

@@123-u1x8m no, if you look at "richest/ wealthiest people in the world" it's mostly US Americans. Some French people and some Chinese. A couple Russians. But the top 10 is US Americans, and the overall chart is dominated by Americans

[@travel_with_renix6956]

yeaah finally Lovee it :D! Grace is the best reviewer of youtube!

[@penyuwan]

I watched this the day that it came out, binge it all the way. Was so surprised but can't talk to anybody yet as most of friends haven't seen it. Now I am smiling seeing everybody watching it. Can't wait for season 2, the writer is writing about the Police Force in SK.

[@matts5164]

I watched it on the first day too and didn't expect this show to be this popular. It's well deserved though and I can easily see this show having 3+ seasons.

[@denniszenanywhere]

I really hope that they don’t do season 2. It’s torture p-rn in itself and is highly immoral. It’s supposed to be a statement against people trying to make money off people and them doing season 2 is just making money off us viewers. Nope. Hope they don’t it, even if I want some answers.

[@chansherly212]

i'm crossing my fingers for the squid game themed happy meal, a pink burger, with the sugar biscuit thing on the side!!

[@lelitosuno]

Loved the show.. the ending twist wasnt really a twist kinda obvious . The red hair just made me feel even more so this was a live action anime and color hair change is usuallysomeone powering up so i liked it .. I feel like Grace teaches me how to watch and analyze things differently from regular viewers .

[@anomalus625]

I don't like how The girl from North Korea died. She won the game fair and square but it still ultimately killed her. I thought she would win because her partner in the marble game sacrificed herself for her. That sacrifice was for nothing. AlsoThe show is very well crafted visually. Each episode felt like an extravagant painting.

[@batesb_lion7681]

They even got grace! I hope Alice in borderland season 2 blows up like this when it comes out

[@heiifung]

I was waiting and hoping for Grace to cover Squid game and yeah! I’m happy haha. I’m happy to see Asian culture is becoming more influential in the west now:)

[@agustyachamarthy5983]

If you liked Squid game, I highly recommend watching Alice in borderland

[@johnpozo1645]

Yepp alice in borderland was great as well. Id recommended the Brazilian netflix show 3% it has the same vibe as squid game but more sci-fi.

[@mariamarie862]

Loved Alice in Borderland

[@hexsystem7891]

As the Gods Will, the Warewolf Game, and Kings Game too

[@bunnylitterbox]

I just finished it! I haven’t seen squid game yet, but man alice in borderland was great

[@elizabetha.188]

I binged it all in one sitting. I figured out that the old man/mastermind was in on the game, in some way, was when he started screaming for everyone to stop rioting. Loved it!

[@dustnea]

His relationship with Il-Nam was kind of a Willy Wonka type with Charlie. He wants the people who win to deserve it and it not to go to bad people. He was testing him the whole game.

[@mslizzy03]

Am I the only one who doesn't think Sang-Woo is that evil? I think he's a great representation of the how the average person would be in THIS situation. Everyone wants to believe Gi-hun represents them, but think about how brutal and scary the threat of these deaths are. I think it'd be really difficult to just give up your life for someone in this situation. I love that this show shows the gray area in people rather than "all good" or "all bad"

[@gpaje]

I thought the introduction of the VIPs was interesting. I saw the VIPS as essentially the home viewing audience. Such as me, American, sitting on a coach, eating and drinking as I am focused watching the game and making the same commentary about strategy the VIPs were making on the show. Even hitting on my wife as she hands me a Coke, lol. But yes, I also see how making them mainly American, all men, was problematic.

[@j2174]

"But yes, I also see how making them mainly American, all men, was problematic." - Is it "problematic" or is it just the truth? Reality hitting Americans hard? Why should an American find something that Koreans made "problematic"? Sounds like you are not quite as aware of the issue ;)

[@HugoMatheus]

How is the truth problematic? Americans sure have weird problems

[@gpaje]

@@HugoMatheus I didn't say the truth was problematic, I said only the partial truth is problematic. Where are you from Hugo, how much inequality will I find in the news about your country? Do they deserve not to also be "VIPS"?

[@ericsohn5084]

They weren't all Americans, they just all spoke English

[@pika2031]

@@ericsohn5084 considering Korea obsessed with the US, they probably are.

[@EdricHsu]

Was waiting eagerly for you to review this show and I’m glad you did! There are a few points that you mentioned as questionable, that I think were actually implied or clues or some kind of foreshadowing, so upon a second viewing you might catch them more easily. :)

[@mingkifilm]

idk if this is a spoiler but i’m still putting a warning. - - - - - Il-Nam actually translates to No. 1 Man.

[@EdricHsu]

And “Mi Nyeo” (Player 212) translates to “Beautiful Woman”, perhaps in reference to the actress’ landing 4th place in a beauty pageant in 1999.

[@catbertz]

I think the cartoony VIP's were intentional caricatures of the 1% as shallowing and disgusting one-dimensional people. The whole point of the show was 99% vs 1%, with the contestants being fully fledged relatable and generally decent(ish) people, and the 1% being presented as rich, ugly, hollow and bored with life.