Squid Game's Real Message about Capitalism, Explained

[@thetake]

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[@juggaloclownpreacher]

Jeff Bezos ran Amazon like his own personal squid game but Jeff Bezos was the only winner.

[@federerfanatic]

You failed to explain the red hair.

[@stephaniecass8487]

Excellent video. It would be nice to see meritocracy discussed as a tool of higher classes to justify how money "should be" doled out, and also who truly benefits from that mentality.

[@mwoods4608]

Listening to this every time you said the players names, I heard my name... Forever poor. At this point I would let someone pay me to slap me. Sounds like a decent way to earn a living. My boss figuratively slaps me every day when she come in 30 minutes late, takes a 3 hour lunch, and leaves an hour early. I guess she EARNED it right?? We have the same college degree.

[@mmvh966]

How was that a complete happy ending? That conclusion sounds a bit selfish serving to those attempting to push capitalism. It's a question of whether you win by luck in the end is it worth it? It also demonstrates no matter how well you play the game you may not win.

[@mult1coloured]

One interesting thing that stood out to me is how the game was supposed to be about everyone having an equal chance but very quickly women and older people were discriminated against when it came to team games

[@songroid4847]

Their "equality" is not referring to complete equality, but to controlled "equality". Because it is equality within the rules of the game, it is a form in which some random changes can occur.

[@psychopompous489]

@@songroid4847 Yeah, but how is "strongest team lives" not discriminating against the old and sick?

[@LittleHobbit13]

@@songroid4847 It's the difference between equality and equity. Equality says "the same rules apply to everyone", while equity takes into account how different groups may be disadvantaged by one standard given the inherent nature of the established system.

[@ivan-sin-compania5710]

Yeah, in an episode someone comments that boys have the advantage in most children's games. Like, the final game is all about inhibited violence. Who would get the very obvious clear advantage?

[@UnknownOps]

Equality means nothing when it comes to survival, those ones would be left to the care of others, the elders are worn out of their years and women their biological differences and what not.

[@user-vc9mv8jw8d]

I said it once and I'll say it again: Il-Nam is the one in the wrong. He not only made the game, he decided to play it because it got bored. And he had the audacity to say that the poor and the rich are the same because "we're all bored". Bored of what?! You have all your need met. The poor aren't bored; they're struggling. Trying to figure out where they're next meal is gonna come from. I would've pulled his plug right then and there. Oh yeah, he also bet on a homeless man before he died. wtf?

[@kys4s4c]

That just goes on to highlight how out of touch the rich are. They make assumptions about everyday people without ever living their glass castles.

[@octabodemes]

Thiiiis. I get what he is saying because as always, a good fictional asshat is always nice and gives us a perspective that we hate to relate to but I get stressed when I see people putting everyone in the same box, or that Sang Woo was the villain just because he was willing to do anything to live and get the money when... No. If they wanna talk about "we all are the same🥺" of course, yeah, we all die the same but we all -live- different and in real life I would never feel bad for a super rich guy who could have the chance to help thousands if not more of people struggling to live day by day and chooses to make them fight for it instead just because he is *bored*.

[@spectre9340]

Saw a comment somewhere that mentioned that, in some way, Il-nam groomed Gi-hun to be just like him and the other VIPs. Throughout the games, we see Gi-hun's true character never unwaver even in desperate times. He cares about people. Yeah, he's irresponsible with money but at his core, he's a good person who has a lot of compassion for other people. But in that final bet with Il-nam, Gi-hun stood by and watched a homeless man almost die for the sake of a bet. At any point, Gi-hun could've ran downstairs and helped the man out. The Gi-hun we knew wouldn't have hesitated. Wouldn't have even considered risking someone's life like that. But instead, he stood by and bet on a man's life just like how the VIPs did in the games.

[@winterrising8738]

wow you are so special in figuring this out, please take take this medal of honour being so intelligent and smart compared to us simpletons. Your high IQ is beyond that of the writers and you should share more of your wisdom.

[@asho345]

The rich and the poor are WAY more alike than you think. Remember how Gi-hun treated his mother poorly and took advantage of her kindness, gambling away money instead of working towards self improvement? Morality tends to break down at either end of the social hierarchy.

[@alim.9801]

"Equate randomness with fairness" holy shit can we talk about this concept more???

[@sydposting]

See also: People who think Thanos “wasn’t so bad” because his Snap was apparently “purely mathematically random.” It’s an enticing justification because it absolves some sort of blame.

[@gummy5862]

@@sydposting There’s people who think that? I swear eugenics is evil, but…

[@sydposting]

@@gummy5862 Yep! Apparently, using Infinity Stones to double resources instead of halving populations isn’t fair because… something something the people in charge of those resources will just misuse them again. It’s really condescending and usually comes from a specific sort of tech-bro that’s way too into algorithms running things.

[@gummy5862]

@@sydposting I mean doubling the planet’s resources may not be the best option, but halving the population by killing them off is definitely not better.

[@Feliciatanktop]

VIP: “we’re all about fairness!!” Also VIPs: Kidnapping, killing, manipulating, lying, purposely starving people, setting up fights, turning off lights during the game

[@TryMakeme1]

One thing Ive also realized: The show shows 4 types of debt through its characters. Seong Gi is what most of us imagine to be the reason of poor, by gambling, not saving money etc. a sort of "his own fault" mentality. But then we have Cho Sang-Woo, supposedly rich, being poor because of bad investments, though the reveal of his character may hint that he also tricked other investors unfairly until he lost everything. Then we have Saebyeok, a refugee, who has already paid the human trafficker but got tricked into paying it again. And of course Ali, an illegal worker who is being completely exploited by greedy factory owners, using illegal immigrants as modern day slaves. There are so many more of course, but it shows how "being poor" just isnt a thing you can generalize. Something that is usually described with the "The poor are poor because they want to be/own fault etc." mentality.

[@arachno-communist2657]

also, an important aspect of gi-hun is that while initially it seems like his poverty is entirely his own fault, we learn later on that it’s more because he was traumatized and all but blacklisted in a violently suppressed strikes

[@lauramenendez3212]

The mentality you mention at the end, is the rich/privileged point of view. Surprisingly a lot of people don’t know how to put themselves in the shoes of others

[@tobiaslawrence8928]

, it's even more devastating when people who were once poor themselves look down on those that are poor. It's another thing of the poor vs the poor.

[@AnAdorableWombat1]

That’s the point! That’s why they are playing the game! Congrats for figuring out why each player entered but this is not any shocking or surprising information

[@Toshimi1043]

I disagree that Gi-hun is the "best" player. In the end, a big part of it was dumb luck and the help/mercy/sacrifices of others. Sure, he had some ingenuity that helped him and some others survive the candy round, but that's not enough to carry him the rest of the way. Which cements that capitalism doesn't reward based on who deserves it. And as they say, no man is an island.

[@sinabonz8108]

maybe not the most deserving player but certainly the best character to illustrate the point that this society is not a meritocracy and that it takes a great deal of luck and help to survive.

[@Rs-rq9fd]

I think the implication is that he is presented as “the best”, not that he is actually the best. There is no “best” in a game based off randomness, as you mentioned

[@rescatooor]

I'm thinking he is the most balanced player. He is theoretically the kind of player that the creator of this game (Il-Nam) would hope as the winner. In practice it would probably be the most ferocious one. The irony, of course, is that the ideal winner might turn out to be the worst of all.

[@slimmesports6031]

Doesn't this dumb luck remind you Harry potter?

[@freesuckerMCR]

In the grand/metaphorical scheme of the show, Gi-hun wins cause he's the only one who figured out from the start that you need to form human connections to survive. It even adds to his survival guilt at the end cause he knows that he shouldn't be the sole winner, he knows that he only won cause people helped him (as opposed to Sang-woo, who saw the game for what it was and used people to his advantage). Part of what the show tries to convey is the great ideological battle between individualistic interests vs collective ones. Another argument would be to showcase how there's no fairness or equity in capitalism and sometimes all you need is pure luck and people at the bottom who need to (literally) die for you to get to the top. We later find out that the old man helped him out cause he was the only player who "made it fun". which is twisted and fucked up but also illustrates how even the slightest glimpse of humanity that Gi-hun had left was what carried him to the end, only to then be put to the test by the old man again.

[@rajarshipalchowdhury6366]

Nobody is talking about the guy who killed his own brother, who attempted to expose the game.

[@NinaSelene]

well, that storyline kinda got nowhere...

[@cocob0l0]

@@NinaSelene We’ll probably see more in the next season. I doubt he’s dead

[@what1356]

I think there's more to the Front Man than someone who was just out to save his own skin by 'killing' his brother. I think they're going to explore the Front Man and his brother's story a lot more in the 2nd season.

[@ambermariestewart]

He said "I want him alive" to the red jumpsuit team on the rock mountain and then shot his brother in the shoulder, not head, giving him an escape. Season two's in two years. There'll be more about that then.

[@tyriaxepheles7996]

I was so upset he never answered his brother's question. I honestly think that storyline was just in there to have the reveal that the guy behind the mask is a super famous Hallyu star. But it was kind of obvious it was him since his voice is pretty recognizable.

[@danderson8431]

I find it disturbing how many people want to play “The Squid Game” for real, and how quickly various companies are vowing to put together a playable version of “The Squid Game” as a reality show.

[@ismth]

lol reality shows are just a lower-stakes version of squid game

[@brucesnow7125]

Not just "want", these psychotic capitalists are actually creating real life Squid Game without killing part. Which is disturbing, because our lives are Squid Game right now.

[@inthedetails5467]

I mean they’re children’s game with a competitive aspect to it you don’t find in boring modern adult life. I think it’s no different than the initial participants willingness to just pass ‘6 children’s games’ except their lives were at stake unknowingly.

[@psychopompous489]

@@brucesnow7125 But the killing's the best part!!

[@Esandeech2]

They completely missed the point of the entire series 🤡

[@wizzzer1337]

did Gi Hun "win"? what did he win? it seems like in the end he lost everything important in his life.

[@festethefool6701]

Exactly! There are no winners, just survivors. It's clear that Gi-hun is suffering with severe PTSD.

[@raymonds7492]

He couldn’t even cry when his mom died.

[@psychopompous489]

He could've set his daughter up for life.

[@wwaxwork]

That's how I saw it. They all won once by refusing to play the game, that was the answer, the only way to overcome the game is for the majority to refuse to play.

[@jilljillysillybilly]

Survivor's guilt :(

[@Hannah-pf2vp]

It’s funny, during the glass bridge game, I was eating some chocolate as one does when they watch television, but during a shot of the ‘vips’ I realised that I was them, I too was betting on who would win and indulging as I watched from afar. During the first game I couldn’t eat because I was so shaky but I realised I had so quickly acclimatised, like the players in the game, and suddenly I couldn’t bring myself to eat the anymore chocolate. I couldn’t do it

[@bienemaja4007]

you just described my weekend when I was watching the show, I had the exact same experience lol

[@hevil93]

I couldn't eat when I binged it. It was all too much

[@elamrani1449]

ok but you arent actually like the VIPs. the difference between you and the VIPs is that your watching a piece of fiction, while what theyre watching is real life. they are literally watching people die terrifying deaths for fun. also squid game is not necessarily a show for "entertainment", its more like a piece of fiction thats supposed to send a message. similar to the lord of the flies. i dont know about you but i personally didnt find watching squid game fun, i found it more scary than anything 🤷‍♂🤷‍♂

[@ymhktravel]

@@elamrani1449 Anyone who believes squid game if just fun and entertainment is missing the message of the show. The scary part is exactly what jolts your humanity.

[@whimsybees]

Media that punishes its viewer for consuming it is bad media. Squid Game doesn't do that though, at no point does SG say the VIPS are audience surrogates, in fact, it purposefully makes them caricatures so you Can't relate to them.

[@alim.9801]

I'm not going to lie, I had to turn off the first episode a few minutes in and wait several days to come back. I come from a poor family with a father exactly like Gi-Hun. He was a severe alcoholic and absent, never able to pay child support. He wasn't around and my mom had to work doubly hard to raise me and my siblings and still my family is struggling to stay above the poverty line. We've lived in govt housing with tons of roaches. We were homeless for a while. Struggling even more since food stamps were cut off. Now I'm on my own and still struggling. My family has stable housing and financial help mostly through help from the govt or friends/other family. I'm not trying to throw a pity party, I'm just saying this shit felt too real. Watching Gi-Hun struggling to get his daughter a cheap birthday gift hit too fucking hard. Literally the first ten minutes destroyed me bc my family has been through stuff way too close to that. It's so visceral and gutting, for every viewer but especially for people that have been in poverty like that.

[@SelenaTroyeSL]

This.^

[@mahdinahmed3988]

Dude I'll pray for you, I hope it gets better for you and your family. In Shaa Allah you all will find happiness and peace in the future no matter what financial situation you're in I hope you all will be happy. Please keep hope and be okay. Peace and love ❤️

[@yemio1005]

This is exactly why I haven’t watched it and remain unsure if i will. I felt very sensitive to the way people living in poverty are used as pawns. I grew up in a single parent family and although I didn’t struggle to this degree I definitely feel like this series would be really hard to watch. I’m really sorry for the hardships you faced and I hope things will get better for u.

[@troywalkertheprogressivean8433]

then you can agree, its not your father's fault.

[@Esandeech2]

I am so sorry this happened to you.

[@spectre9340]

I heard that this was supposed to be made 10 years ago or so? I think the setbacks were a blessing in disguise cos it was made at the perfect time. Class consciousness is a lot more prevalent these days compared to back in 2011. And so many people are becoming aware of the socioeconomic climate and Capitalism's effect on people's lives. While it was understandable that Gi-hun's troubles make sense for someone like him, it was important to also bring up Sang-woo's apparent success in the past constantly. At any point, someone could fall into financial ruin and be in the same place as someone who's never even graduated high school, let's say. Lots of people lost their jobs due to the pandemic and it didn't matter if you used to work at a bank or at a McDonald's, almost everyone is struggling financially these days. Almost everyone is dealing with money troubles and lots of people could relate to the desperation the characters felt in the show.

[@bienemaja4007]

that's so true

[@eliza6971]

Honestly, if you were a young adult during the ‘08 financial crash followed by the collapse of the Occupy movement you could probably relate to Squid Game pretty well in 2011, but it definitely wouldn’t be this big

[@GayNeekOG]

@@eliza6971 Nor would it ever have the reach it had. The success is in part by the fact that this show was accessible for millions of netflix subscribers not just local tv network.

[@shahriarhakim6673]

the problem is the banking system, they are really harming the essence of capitalism, basically put we need a economy that is adaptable to needs with fair tax and regulations but not communism, people should be able to own private enterprises and assets

[@francescafrancesca3554]

@@shahriarhakim6673 Capitalism and communism are not the only financial systems that exist. A revision it's needed, since the current model of capitalism has proved that it won't care about the wellbeing of the individuals who are part of it, since, the priority it's profit, not people. And we can't continue doing that and expect good things to happen. They won't.

[@MotherOfOwlbears]

I'm starting to believe that media that brutally critiques the systems we are oppressed by are helping keep those systems in place. If you can have the elation and satisfaction of seeing an unjust system fall, without putting you comfort on the line, why address the very real problems in front of us? We get to see justice done swiftly, and completely in a satisfying and immediate way that doesn't hold true to reality. Fighting those systems is a process that holds little catharsis. We tend to chose the instant gratification of a hollow, fabricated victory.

[@kys4s4c]

Not really. Because media and books like these have always influenced movements all over the world. Even with squid game, employees are unionising right now in South Korea wearing the squid game costumes. Various media have led to mass movements and reforms in real life.

[@kys4s4c]

@kshamwhizzle the distributor may be a media corporation but the individual who wrote this piece of art struggled for decades before releasing this. The medium doesn't really matter because we do live in a capitalist society so it is literally impossible to escape corporations unless you decide to live in a secluded hut and live off the land. Using the current existing system as a means to critique it is not hypocritical because it ultimately transmits the message to the masses. The instruments of capitalism will be utilised to lead to its demise.

[@alim.9801]

This is a really interesting point. Idk if it's entirely the case but it truly might play a role.

[@bbrbbr-on2gd]

@@kys4s4c Honestly, iconography for people to rally behind can be good or bad. Look at the Guy Fawks mask and what that's become after V for Vendetta. Someone's making money off those costumes. Capitalism is good at turning surface level iconography into something it can sell back to the consumer. What is most important is real action, i.e. supporting co-ops and mutual aid organizations and anything that engages woth the political at your state or local level.

[@AlexRodriguez-bf7dt]

what are you on about it helped spark a 500,000 worker protest in south korea. Im all for it 🚩

[@UsagiHikaru19]

Succeeding in a capitalist system by critiquing capitalism is a long standing irony we have all seen and participated in. These narratives are important tho, as changes can only happen when everyone works towards it. In Korea, squid game has helped inspire and bring more of a spotlight on workers who are protesting for better working conditions and wages. I think overlooking the impact of a Korean show like this in Korea is a huge oversight. I'm not Korean, but as a long time fan of Korean media I notice that this is often overlooked whenever something from Korea gets popular worldwide (mainly in the West). Also of course Gi-hun was made out to be a likable person... he's the protagonist, that's the whole point of every show/movie ever lol😂😂 idk what else you would expect tbh 🤷

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

You obviously don't know what protesting in a government owned company looks like

[@gkhk2142]

"Succeeding in a capitalist system by critiquing capitalism..."- indeed, it seems its part of capitalism success, durability, flexibility, and elusiveness; using `soft` methods like cooptation alongside its lethal ones, turning enemies into numb semi-slaves, swallowing them without them being able to resist like its inherent trait of devouring anything in its way

[@SnowWolf9999]

@@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl Government Owned? The protesters they're talking about are trying to Unionize for better working conditions/ pay and work for companies like Hyundai, Samsung, LG and KIA. S. Korea is hardcore capitalist like US and Japan, their corporations aren't government run

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

@@SnowWolf9999 I am talking as a egyptian from national experience because you people think that protesting against some one who got a monopoly on force would be so much easier than private coprations

[@jasonports8517]

@@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl The goal of most anticapitalists is to get workers to unite and gain greater power over their company and their government, not for the government to take over.

[@BroJo676]

My issue with Squid Game is, if the old man really wanted to reward people's for their kindness and generosity, why would he not reward the Indian/Pakistani guy? I mean, the latter is very certainly the personification of kindness in the series?

[@NaFran49]

He doesn't, he just likes to manipulate people to his own amusement.

[@elamrani1449]

hes a hypocrite thats why lol

[@theusorelha]

that final dialogue doest make any sense "why did you let me live?" he just won the game

[@ymhktravel]

@@theusorelha He could have lost in the marble game if the wily old man had not given him his one marble. I believe it refers to that.

[@queenning28]

It’s pretty clear to me that the old man doesn’t believe in human goodness and designs this game to watch people reveal their darkest sides and fight each other to death (kinda like how capitalists fight each other for monopoly). He is a true capitalist who’s obsessed with competition.

[@Germania9]

The most meta about Squid Game is how the series is popular at all, both cementing Netflix as the world's biggest streaming service and on how established South Korean pop-culture, not just SqG, in the global consciousness, alongside anime & Bollywood.

[@monicacreator3168]

Making everyone watching it, part of the VIP

[@MechaJutaro]

Typical faux radicalism. The show rails against capitalism, all while propping up the very phenomena it claims to oppose

[@sketchios5158]

Freaking exactly!! It's certainly no coincidence, Parasite won best picture last year as well

[@umang5156]

@@MechaJutaro that's what they want to convey that abandoning capitalism will lead you to nothing just like ( Gi-hun who turned a beggar ) but we has human beings need to find a middle path where us as individuals and as a society both prosper without putting anyone else life at risk .

[@Germania9]

@@monicacreator3168 Funny you say that. South Korean pop culture, especially Kpop & Kdramas, are quite popular in developing countries and rural areas in various continents.

[@ashram12]

I'm going to disagree with you on the idea that Gihun was the right person to win. He wins a lot of the games by luck: the first game, Ali saves him, the third and fourth game, the old man saves him, the fifth game, that random dude saved him by taking number 1, game number 6, his opponent kills himself. The only game where he REALLY got the win on his own is for the 2nd game. I think the reason that Gihun refuses to touch the money for a year is because he realizes that he didn't really deserve the money, he wasn't better than the other players, he just got lucky.

[@sib9769]

True…but sometimes that how life works. Being be born into wealth/good fortune is a bigger indicator of future success than education/hard work like we’re often told. Kylie Jenner has a larger net worth than Michelle Obama.

[@sm1purplmurderedme583]

that’s the point…did u just not watch the video

[@julianr.82]

Well, you basically just discribed the point the video tries to make about capitalism. Of course you need ingenuity, kindheartedness and so on, but It'll only get you so far. A big portion still is having a considerable portion of luck involved. And like Sung-Woo, even the smartest people can loose everything by being unlucky

[@thegreatcatsbee]

These videos are always excellent, but I think your analysis missed the show’s satire. The ending is not happy, and Gi-hun is not portrayed as the most deserving. According to capitalism’s “survival of the fittest” ideal, Gi-hun should have died in the first game. He succeeds only because of others who are smarter, kinder, and tougher, which refutes the belief that a capitalist society is a meritocracy. At the end, Gi-hun is totally isolated: his friends and mother are dead. He rejects his last human connection by not going to see his daughter. While he claims to want to destroy the Game, he’s more a part of it than ever before, as symbolized by his red hair-the color of blood and the guards’ uniforms. The ending satirizes the “lone hero” but is actually really bleak because it implies that no one can escape capitalism. It also points out the irony and hypocrisy of anyone with any degree of privilege attempting to critique capitalism, including the show itself, because we all benefit from it.

[@chimedemon]

Wow… huh, well there’s an aspect I haven’t heard talked about yet. Why am I the only one commenting?

[@AniketPatil-nk1vw]

Oh I didn't think about that. My understanding is totally different, but your points do seem consistent. Makes sense.

[@justarandom-m3w]

Agreed! Especially the bit about not being able to escape capitalism. Though I did see a video explaining how the red hair could be equated to the red pill from the Matrix films, it could represent Gi-hun choosing to accept reality?

[@RK-ep8qy]

I would say the ending is happy

[@sophieamandaleiton-toomey8469]

Like these guys think the show isn't aware that Gi Hun isn't a good person? The first two episodes are specifically designed to show us Gi-Hun isn't a good person. The second episode has everyone in his life rightfully call him out for his bullshit behavior and turn against him because of his thoughtless actions when he needs help. It's heartbreaking because it's completely justified on their behalf. Gi-Hun doesn't start out the show as a person who gives much thought to other people but by the end of the story, that's all he has left. All he has left is preventing people from going through what he went through and that anger inside of him.

[@beasttitanofficial3768]

We like to think we're Gi-Hun but, in reality, most of us would be Sang-woo

[@nik1maxim]

Most of us would be randoms who died first game

[@sg_1541]

Idk about anyone else I'd be sye beyok... Coming so far just to die from a random accident/misfortune (that kind of shit happened multiple times to me)

[@spectre9340]

@@nik1maxim honestly yeah 😂

[@afrenchexo-l1418]

Lol no i'm not smart enough

[@UnboxingAlyss]

@@nik1maxim Yup! That would be me. ;-)

[@AT-rr2xw]

The Front Man was a winner from a few years back. Whatever he may have been before the game, he was probably just as ruthless as Sang-woo by the end. And even if he had been like Gi-hun, he definitely was not like Gi-hun at the time of this game. He had fully bought into the game, rationalizing every act of violence done in the game and by himself. If he did not, then he would have to reflect on all that he had done to become a winner in his game. That Gi-hun won that one game while being a good person may be a copout in terms of the overall themes, but it is irrelevant within the universe of the show where someone like the Front Man had also won.

[@andromeda5126]

I saw an interesting parrarel between Front Man and Sangwoo

[@elizabethlee2136]

While I think it's important that Gihyun is a good person, I think his goodness is divorced from his winning of the games. Even we wanted Gihyun to win at the end. And he knew it was wrong. I think our society brainwashed us to assume luck is intrinsically linked to morality. I'm more of a nihilist. It doesn't matter how immoral you are either. And being immoral has a downside of mental health issues, breaking the law, and being unacceptable in society. I think GiHyun is at crossroads where he might be torn between sadistically punishing the VIP and helping the poor. It would take a lot of guts. I think on top of the death games as metaphor for capitalism, compulsive gambling also is another metaphor, when people only feel good gambling and winning and how it destroys their life. So even if Gihyun had a healthy relationship with money, he might be brought back into the game with a new obsessive need that will destroy his happiness and family, much like how gambling destroyed his life before after avoiding his mental health after the protest. That he has to be careful, and not ignore his true purpose and succumb to his anger. (PS I hope he helped the guy with his debt on the subway. That was such an oof moment. Who are you to judge Gihyun?)

[@naasduplessis855]

I like your take on it. Quite interesting. One has to remember that the first season is not the end of the story. Gi-hun might be intent in stopping the Squid Game at the end of Season 1, but might very well end up becoming the new front man in later seasons, and thus proving the bleak theme of the series correct. Which is that no one can escape the evils of Capitalism or to become part of it, no matter how noble/good one seems to be. Almost akin to Orwell's 1984 main character Winston's fate. I might be wrong and the writers might have something completely different in mind going forward. It's just an hypothesis.

[@yourfriendbelli]

Also, I love the notion that if they had pooled together and talked about the resources they had and who they were outside of the game, they might have not needed to come back that second time.

[@AndSoWeLaughed]

Right? But every man for themselves right? And if some people really wanted to try the games, they could’ve worked as a team and when it started going south voted to end it again. Although I don’t know how easy it would’ve been. Everyone was scared to talk to each other in the game and they were dropped outside in random ears as in pairs. They didn’t know where they were.

[@yourfriendbelli]

@@AndSoWeLaughed Ah, so true! I forgot they were tied up and blinded!

[@lovebunny2345]

This was another brilliant video essay, and you are the only one who captured the ultimate lie of Squid game's "randomness is presented as fairness"! I do wish that you'd consult with Korean researchers and talk a bit more about how each character represents various sectors in Korean society, and SK's colonial and authoritarian history re: the VIPs.

[@bassssaasuuuup]

there are thugs in every country, there are gamblers in every country, there are refugees being exploited in every country, discrimination against elderly and women in every country…yes Korea is seen a increase in debt and unemployed but so have a lot of countries. Squid game works because capitalism is a global issue

[@Onebadbrownie]

The fact that Bezo has some interested relation to this show hurts my soul sooo much.

[@margarete5920]

right? like, here's a mirror

[@siege824s8]

He runs multiple squidgames around the world ... He calls it Amazon fulfillment centers

[@From305toSH]

Squid Game is more than just a critique of capitalism but a reflection of society in South Korea. You don't need to understand the Korean context to enjoy the show, but a lot is missed without it. Imo, the structure of the game reflects the structure of contemporary Korean society, or to even take it further, the game is analogous to the South Korean state: the Front Man is the government who is semingly in control while it was (global) capital in the form of Oh Il-nam who was in charge all along. Even though critics will point out that there are many other death game shows and media that are better, and that SG is just an inferior copy, I'd venture what made this worthwhile and different from the other death games was the fact that the Squid Game is "voluntary". Even though the conditions of the people in debt esentially forced them to rejoin the game, they felt some sort of agency in taking that "choice"; the same way a lot of people feel like in democracy in modern capitalism. Hey at least we have a choice.

[@joannejones363]

Even though the show is set in South Korea it is very relevant to the financial times we live in regardless of where we come from

[@SnowWolf9999]

Pretty much the structure of contemporary U.S. society as well

[@crypticcryptid4702]

@@SnowWolf9999 Doesn't surprise me seeing as the US has been backing the South for quite a while.

[@saharafroz1965]

This analysis!!! Amazing critique! Thank I you for sharing, totally agree with the level of depth that squid game has unlikely other shows and movies.

[@J-manli]

​@@SnowWolf9999 Being in a different state is the US could determine how much "voting power" you truly have. In the Presidential election, the electoral college system makes a voter in California have less proportionate power than a voter in Wyoming. On top of that, voting is not mandatory in the US, in-person voting days are on weekdays, and going to vote is often not considered a "valid excuse" to take a day off of work.

[@ВикторияБурлова-н3ь]

You should do a „Russian villain trope explaned“ video!!! P.S like it so the Girls could see!

[@alim.9801]

YES OMG!!! One of the most prolific tropes I stg

[@phoebeel]

Or why aliens always invade the US and the US is always the one saving the day.

[@danakanafina3615]

Лол холодная война

[@sultankamysbayev1937]

@@danakanafina3615 Lol nice to see you here Dana

[@sanghamitrachetia604]

agreed. that video is long overdue

[@SINIESTRA]

Imagine if we didn't even get hope in our entertainment, we are living our own squid game, just let us enjoy our little bit of hope given to us by artists, those who are the most outcast and who are undervalued, the way the writer of the show was trying to make this happen for years while enduring just working for the little money he could gather, we need to believe, we need the hope, specially right now during this unprecedented times, we just need to have hope

[@Spartain14]

Well said. I agree, I actually quite like the ending.

[@troywalkertheprogressivean8433]

belief and hope are useless without action

[@SINIESTRA]

@@troywalkertheprogressivean8433 he will take action that is why season 2 will be, but honestly people are taking action, that is why the workforce are not returning to their low paying jobs that is why there are all this movements demanding change by workers or by people just demanding their humaniy been recognized, people are taking action, do not disregard the action taken by people, hope means people can think of a better place and of a better way of doing things, hope also leads to change

[@ellencoleman4604]

Also agree. Goes back to the Greek myth of Pandora even.

[@TheLeah2344]

Squid Game is one of the best series on Netflix. It’s a reason this series is so popular. If Squid Games existed today, people would participate. Unfortunately alot of people are desperate for money because alot of people are struggling to survive.

[@dataender96]

Narcos has entered the chat. People actually participate in that because they’re desperate for money because they are struggling to survive

[@alim.9801]

I probably would not gonna lie. Financial stress mixed with bipolar can be fucking hell. If I could get rid of one or both of those a huge weight would be lifted off my shoulder. There was literally one month I wasn't living paycheck to paycheck and I felt like a new fucking person I'm not even kidding. But now I'm right back to where i started bc medical bills 🙃

[@phoebeel]

@@alim.9801 I'm so sorry to hear. Honestly, what I read about the US I'm truly baffled why there is no mass exodus from that country to Canada or Europe. Our system in Europe is not all cuddly but we take care of the poor and we have insurance that covers everyone, no matter what income. You won't die of cancer or some other illness just because you cannot afford healthcare. The amount of propaganda that goes on in the US.. I can't fathom it

[@alim.9801]

@@phoebeel honestly the biggest issue for my family is lack of papers and money to move. Thank you for the sympathy man 💜 if my family had enough money and were able to make the move we totally would. The Healthcare systems in Canada and Europe sound amazing especially compared to the US

[@UnboxingAlyss]

@@phoebeel Many Americans can't afford to leave their state, let alone the country. That takes resources. Also, not all countries will take in jst anybody. Even Canada has restrictions. With the amount of crazy we have here in the States, who can blame other countries for being so picky?

[@AmetafJohora]

the people talking about "so and so deserved to win because they were morally better or purer of heart" etc are missing the point - even if that person wins, everyone else is killed, which is evil in itself. choosing a good representative is a distraction from realizing that the game shouldn't even be existing in the first place

[@Sophia-ix2ri]

Netflix's 3% is another great example of this genre. The ending is much better, and more in line with the capitalist critique. Highly recommend!!!

[@melodramatic7904]

Yes!!! That is one of my favorite shows of all time.

[@irem8126]

Finally someone else talking about this great show. I really love 3% it's definitly one of my fav netflix shows. I think I enjoyed the first season of 3% more than the first season of squid game. Also definitly agree that 3% has more consistent ending with the capitalism critique

[@andid]

While I agree the ending's a bit...muddy...it's kind of the only way the story could resolve. A completely random unnamed character winning might've been more potent, but far less narratively satisfying, and the production does need to...make money. Any other major character winning could be read the same way - that some positive trait secured their win - meritocracy validated. And I think they go through great lengths to frame Gi-Hun's luck, not his morality, as his primary reason for success. The fact that whoever won would become upper class, and at best a "good millionaire", at worst another Masked Man, is a big part of why Gi-Hun wrestles with spending the money at all imo. As for whether it's possible to authentically critique capitalism under capitalism, while profiting off that critique...I have to think so. Any popular critique will make money under a system designed around money, and any unpopular critique wouldn't be effective in the first place. Similar to the "poor socialist jealous, rich socialist hypocrite" Catch-22. And I'd never want to risk becoming the "yet you participate in society. Curious." meme. I don't think a concrete, compelling alternative is necessary either, in the same way you wouldn't have to know exactly what replaces feudalism to admit the system is inhumane and should be replaced.

[@melvinathemagnificent9007]

I think this is the best take I've seen so far on this

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

Sorry but have not visited soviets or communist China to see real inhumanity looks like

[@chimedemon]

@@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl … w-…what? •-•

[@psychopompous489]

@@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl "Why are you complaining about me beating you, son? Don't you know there are children starving in the country of Africa??"

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

@@psychopompous489 that example does not work because what I am talking about are the alternatives he wants

[@CrybabeBB]

Watching this video and reading the comments section makes me feel like we have a serious media literacy issue in the US. A character saying one thing but acting in a contradictory way doesn’t mean bad or inconsistent writing; it means the character is not a reliable narrator. Especially taking the villains at their word about the game being “equal” and then getting upset it wasn’t truly equal is so silly. That’s literally the point. Also, the people who are so quick to judge and say “why did Gi-hun not immediately take care of Sang-woo’s mom and Sae-byok’s brother? He’s a terrible person” missed the point entirely too. If you’re having the thought “I would act so much better than him n this situation,” you are essentially saying that after being deeply traumatized in a way most people can’t begin to imagine, you would be functional and mentally coherent. Okay? Prove it. The idea of the show is that capitalism crushes even “good” people and makes them act in ways out of character. It’s not meant to be totally literal either, it’s an allegory. Idk I just wish people would take a moment to try to understand the writers’ motivations instead of just going with a knee jerk reaction of “this person is bad” or “the writers messed up.” If you do that, it actually becomes clear that almost everything that happened had a clear purpose.

[@NirvanaFan5000]

I don't think that any player is really more deserving than any other. the reality is that winning was primarily luck. and every person deserves the basics of life. It's not that the protagonist is more deserving than others. rather, that they're all deserving, and so it's still unfair to have such winners and losers in this kind of system. it's like billionaires: yes, they worked hard... but that doesn't justify the system. they're not *more* deserving than others, let alone of basic dignity like going to piss when you need to.

[@paulapierrot9542]

I've watched a lot of video essays on Squid Game and honestly, this one is the best I've seen so far! You made some very interesting points about the way randomness is presented as fairness, death games as a phenomenon or the logic of capitalism and how Sang-Woo, who was portrayed as the antagonist, actually just played by the rules. At one point while watching the show, I found myself rooting for Gi-hun and it suddenly felt very strange. "Actually ANYONE of these people deserves to win," I thought but soon corrected myself: "No, actually none of them deserves to be in this horrible situation!" It was scary how quickly I was willing to accept the rules of the game.

[@edgaralanhoe2942]

Gi hun, ali and sae byeok were most deserving to win. Ali and gi hun are super kind people and both had strong moral values. Sae byeok had a very sad life story and also was a good person behind that cold mask. Wish those three all won but sang woo said no

[@iloveaginganddying6207]

I really think Sae Byeok would have won had she not been hit with glass shrapnel. Her knife skills, deception, and detachment would have sealed the deal against Sang woo and Gi hun.

[@magma4168]

Most of the people who were shot in the first game or died namelessly later probably also had sad stories, and some of them probably had strong moral values as well. I wish the show did a harder job to point out how Gi-fun winning isn't really a 'happy ending' (the mother dying was the nice touch tho) and didn't end suggesting that him armed with his strong resolve and idiotic new hair colour is what gives hope for a better future. I actually think that the closest one to have a sensible solution was the thug when he planned to gather some comrades and hijack a pink folks' van. Ah, and also the show kind of took the cheap way out by sparing Gi-fun from making a choice to kill someone, first by Sang-woo politely killing himself, then by grandpa conveniently dying.

[@jedodedo]

Gihun won because he is extremely lucky. Conversely, Ali is extremely unlucky (a good good guy, in a bad situation). Imho, Sangwoo or Sebyeok deserves to win bc they played the game.

[@magma4168]

@@jedodedo the math teacher deserved to win, dude played and died with the best style.

[@DefineMorena]

Gi hun *does* *not* have strong, moral values.

[@Wernouis]

I *just* finished watching the show after avoiding - with success - spoilers for weeks. What an incredible timing.

[@elizabethlee2136]

I have a more nihilist take on why Gihoon won. If it was about Goodness why didn't Ali win? If it was about Fairness why didn't Sae Byeok win. It was always about luck. In that capitalist institutions aren't undone by kindness or the arc of history. It's because of luck. He doesn't win because of teamwork. There is no reason for why he won. He survives the guilt because he is a good person. He has to give meaning to what happened. Don't get it twisted. Even Sang Woo is more deserving. If people are treated randomly people who are undeserving will win, and Capitalism will never let us cone to that harsh reality. There are no VIP in real life, a world where we tell ourselves we are broke. Only Gihoon opts out by refusing to play. And even his dream is thwarted. We only survive because we are good people. And winning really is meaningless if the game is this destructive.

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

Sorry but you really think that people make billions just because of luck?

[@elizabethlee2136]

@@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl Bill Gates was kicked out of Harvard and so his parents gave him 20000 instead. If I got into Harvard and got kicked out my parents would have given me a body bag. He was lucky to have paired with Steven Wozniak an actual mechanical genius. He was pretty fortunate that his main competition at Apple Computers was going through a mental breakdown... and he could sweep in during the nineties. I don't think he's a monster but for a guy with little mechanical, software or computer experience he got a big windfall. A huge part of his success was coming across people who were actually creative and engineering geniuses and arranging them to take advantage of a vulnerable market. Or get people who made things together and use words to get them in the right place. Does Steven Wozniak have a billion dollars? I don't know if I feel comfortable about that a hype man got so much money when he didn't invent anything. But Steve Wozniak often talks about being divinely inspired by his dreams and hell. He invented the mouse based on an imaginary tech demo. If he didn't have crazy dreams would he have invented the tech that funded Bill Gates fortune. These were all luck, and capitalists don't like that. Because it proves that economy is completely unable to be controlled. They want us to think hard work and selfishness are the only way to succeed, when there is no guaranteed way to make large amounts of money unless you have a large amount of money and do nothing. Capitalism is fueled on hope, and it's killing us.

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

@@elizabethlee2136 sorry but what you said was so funny because you literally refuted your self because taking advantage of people with mechanical and software expertise and managing them to produce a highly thought after product IS MERIT and quite frankly is not something that vast majority of us would have been able to do and failing in Harvard? So what there were many famous scientists that failed school before

[@elizabethlee2136]

@@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl thsts what Im saying. He got 20000 loan for dropping out of school. That was his luck.. I'm saying even the opportunity for so many things to go right is a miracle. But dumb big brains like you take it as Bill Gates got kicked out of Harvard. So it means he was a bootstrap icon. The point is if you want to know. -He was lucky to have rich parents who educated him really well. -He was lucky to have friends of this caliber to exploit. -He was lucky Steven Jobs was out of commission -he was lucky. To be at a point where companies finally understood the concept of PC, because of all the hardwork Steven Jobs did. None of it had to do with the level of work he had to put in. So you can't fight capitalist brainwashing saying billionaires are to blame, when the truth is capitalist indoctrinated you to believe you are poor and no amount of merit will ever match a series of lucky breaks. So workers toil endlessly telling others they are worthless and play the lottery and dream of idleness they could easily possess. It doesn't matter what Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos did or didn't do, because they will feel justified, because they are broke and work hard. When it was an indifferent fate and not actual maliciousness. Luck is the reality that capitalism can't face. They can defeat Communists, unions, feminism, gay rights, civil rights, human rights, but it will never defeat the fact no one has control of their money ultimately. As a societal construct it does t mean anything. And people lose and gain money all the time.and most people are in fact not broke. If I were Bill Gates I would be dead...

[@katybee3891]

Yeah, gi hoon struggled every single game, his only skill was sweating on the sugarcookie and realizing that he can lick the shape out of it. In the first Game he survived because of sang woo and Ali, then because of il nam and sang woo, then because he was tricking a man with dementia/ because he let him win, and then because he was asked to switch the numbers, and he still forgot which panel to step on and sae byeok had to remind him. Even in the squid game it didn’t make sense for him to win because he got messed up pretty bad before somehow managing to take sang woo down.

[@miscellaneous1535]

A multi billionaire praised the show…. I just know the message flew right over his head… That man could help so many people but he chooses to exploit the people who work for him along with anyone else who contributes to his company

[@ingeborgolder1102]

I feel like this analysis forgets that 1) the squid game was decades old, and one of the former winners was the front man, suggesting that usually, cutthroat people with no empathy would make it to the top. And 2) Gi-Hun tried to stop the game because he didn't deem it possible to win AND keep his humanity. He only won because Sang-Woo sacrificed himself. Gi-Hun's win was an anomaly in many ways, which seems like a big point of the story to me - decent people succeeding in late-stage capitalism is pretty much a fluke, and when Gi-Hun gets out of the arena his mom is dead and his daughter is leaving. He won the game but he didn't win his life back.

[@luisamacedo4598]

I like that there are also characters such as the black masked host, who has survived the game and used his remaining time, despite rich, making others go through what he has. There are many "winners" of the capitalist game who thrive (and bank) in making others go through unreasonable suffering, knowingly condemning most of them to fail.

[@elizabethlee2136]

I think that guy drank his own kool-aid. And literally had to lose touch with reality to deal with his trauma.

[@juackin17]

Wow I feel like this is the exact concept behind the TV show 'the apprentice'

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

Do you even know what captlisim is?

[@AnitaFixx77]

I have met these people for real when I was forced to work day jobs to pay rent and eat. It's mind boggling to me that some people want to make others suffer just because...because they "paid their dues" so now everyone else has to. It's the mentality of a sadist. Unfortunately capitalism fosters that way of thinking and behaving. Note that I live in Canada which is said to have a "gentler and kinder" form of capitalism. It can still be viciously brutal for those who start with nothing.

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

@@AnitaFixx77 they don't make billions by making people suffer but giving the consumer a product so good that you will give them your money

[@ritikamudabidri7680]

I think the idea is to address and resolve the anxiety that last guys finish last. Sangwoo is an archetype for the person that older people warn us about. The one that takes advantage of the vulnerable and manipulates without a regard for anyone's feelings. GiHun is meant to represent Sangwoo's opposite, the ideal person. Someone who values human connection and wouldn't back-stab. He's constructed in such a way that we identify and see ourselves in him. Thus, we want him to be rewarded because his character is someone we want to become or aspire to be, while Sangwoo is the person we're supposed to be. I have a feeling that like how Sangwoo was GiHun's foil this season, the Front Man will be his foil next season because he seems to share similar traits to Sangwoo. Thats why i think InHo won in his year, because he used Sangwoo's strategies without a GiHun to compete with. I just love the binary thats created, it makes you think a lot.

[@alpha-files5059]

Why nobody talks about how typical is that Gi-hun is an awful human being to his family (mother, wife and daughter), but «has a heart of gold» when it comes to other people? He steals from his ill mother, leaves his wife to give birth all alone, decides to «fight the bad guys» instead of visiting his own daughter on her birthday (breaking the promise he made to her). He also waits a whole year to take care of his late friend's brother - once again, ignoring her last wish/his promise. I want to see some critique, based on a look through female eyes. ps: Also, this show is so similar to dozens movies and shows, it makes me mad seeing how everyone seems to praise SG today.

[@sonchik6324]

In Gi-Hun’s defense - it makes complete sense that he didn’t help Sae-byok’s brother straight away. He was depressed and has severe PTSD. Can you expect someone to witness 400+ people dying in one week, including their friends, and then function like a normal human! Gi-hun gave up on himself and on people, he thought the money he won was blood money. And it only took him a year to recover. Also, his daughter will be fine. She has caring parents and is well provided for. Gi-hun is traumatized and deeply flawed. Being a good person doesn’t mean you’re a good parent. Sometimes the best you can do for the people you live is to let them go. Meanwhile, he might have a real chance to help hundreds of others. What happened to his mom is really shitty though, I agree with that.

[@stellaw3682]

Wasn‘t he at the strike when she gave birth though? Seeing his best friend and colleague die there?

[@sdkfz7824]

Все-таки, Гехун был лудоманом. Лудомания - это расстройство психики, при котором человек постоянно нарушает социальные нормы. Он может быть плохим родителем, мужем и сыном, но не быть при этом конченной мразью, а даже наоборот - добрым в душе человеком. В сериале нам показали живого человека, сложного, с изъянами и положительными сторонами личности. По поводу того, что в сериале много идей, взятых из других фильмов (типа "Пилы" и "Королевской битвы", например), соглашусь с вами. Меня сериал тоже ничем не удивил и тоже не понимаю такого хайпа вокруг него.

[@sonchik6324]

@@sdkfz7824 да, идея игры на выживание не нова, но по-моему многие сравнения слишком натянуты. Пила - это вообще torture porn, чтобы пощекотать нервишки зрителю. Королевская битва - классика, но там все-таки показывается тоталитарная антиутопия, а Игра в кальмара происходит в сеттинге современной Кореи, благодаря чему отображает многие насущные для них экономические и социальные проблемы. Глядя на Паразитов, можно заметить, что вообще тема классового неравенства, которое за последние годы увеличилось в масштабах, становится все более важной темой для азиатского кино, и кто знает, может быть когда-нибудь она выйдет на передний план в мировом кинематографе. Все-таки не случайно именно этот сериал стал таким мегапопулярным именно сейчас и откликнулся в душе у многих зрителей по всему миру. Даже с этой точки зрения есть в нем что-то самобытное, на что можно обратить внимание. Насчёт хайпа - к сожалению, он много чего может испортить, вспомнить тот же Among Us. Но я надеюсь, что через месяц-другой он спадёт и у сериала останется своя преданная фанатская ниша и все будут довольны. Он может быть не идеальный, но есть такая категория произведений, которая тебя очень цепляет эмоционально и благодаря этому ты готов закрыть глаза на какие-то огрехи в сюжете и сценарии. Вот у меня так с Игрой в кальмара и произошло, хотя я смотрела изначально по приколу, со скепсисом. Только теперь жалею, что лила слёзы по старику в шестом эпизоде, а он в итоге оказался главным мудаком :(

[@elizabethlee2136]

Other then it's brilliant arresting cinematography (especially art direcrion) I think it adds to the realistic theme that in capitalism money can go to the undeserving. He didn't need or want the money in the end and had come to peace of mind about his gambling addiction ei as a another metaphor for capitalism. Unlike the simple message capitalism is bad and good people don't need money, capitalism as gambling addiction rooted in feelings of worthlessness and shame. Sang Woo (who gambled way more then GiHoon every dreamed) had a gambling addiction rooted in worthlessness that became a mental illness. (He traumatized himself by being a shitty criminal) Sang Woo sold his soul to win and what capitalists and the average person don't like to admit, got nothing for it. Because he never found or created intrinsic worth If it was a game about being good Ali would have won. If it was about Fairness sae Byeok would have won, but she was killed in an accident. Even Sangwoo paid a price to win. GiHoon didn't deserve to win the money, but he did deserve to survive the game. Because everyone does. Even then he is at risk to become a sadistic gambler again as he abandons his friends with millions of dollars and his daughter in America. Gihoon

[@ElizC67]

Squid Game: A scathing critique of capitalism and Korean society. Everyone & Netflix: How much dalgona candy and green tracksuits can we sell this year? 🤔 Love the show!

[@ElizC67]

@Aaron Sanders The show addresses some uniquely Korean aspects of an unequal society, but yeah the message ofc is universally applicable.

[@kys4s4c]

It's mostly Americans who keep misinterpreting Squid game and Parasite.

[@kys4s4c]

@@ElizC67 The modern Korean economic system is heavily a result of American infiltration after the cold war. The society and culture is collectivist and cooperative, the economic system is not because of capitalism. The filial piety and the human goodness shown is a reflection of their social beliefs.

[@inigobantok1579]

@Aaron Sanders because capitalism is the most convinent and appropriate economic system to follow. The productivity of labor is much more flexible and industrialization could be achieved Naturally. Social democratic programs like Healthcare and social security already exists in many heavily open based free market developed nations in Europe East Asia and Americas

[@kys4s4c]

@@inigobantok1579 capitalism is the most convenient and appropriate system to follow for those who already own capital.

[@Priti1998N]

I just realized that player 001 could be the owner of the car manufacturing company that Gi Hun used to work at. It isn't mentioned anywhere in the show but its very much possible... That could be a wild coincidence 😮

[@LuiKang043]

No, he was a loan shark. And as a loan shark, he saw that he was giving thess people a service, a fighting chance, the same way the capitalists see themselves as """job creators""".

[@anime-channel7209]

How exactly is Batman helping the people with his money? He is just beating up criminals, who probably didn’t have any other options. He never gives the poor his money.

[@burgerkingas7027]

You should look up the Wayne Foundation, Batman uses his money to tackle the social problems that lead to crime when he's not wearing his cape.

[@650ic6]

Batman? What’s that have to do with SG?

[@mynameisreallycool1]

@@650ic6 Because it was mentioned in the video as being the rich guy who defeats the bad guys.

[@CarnageTrooperx]

How about you actually read or watch Batman stories before making a very uninformed statement

[@LiterallyMarieee]

What’s so funny is seeing conservatives trying SO HARD to deny thats it’s about capitalism

[@sleepingdogpro]

Mostly by getting mad and not citing specifics about what they think is inaccurate. So business as usual with them.

[@Feliciatanktop]

LMAO what. That’s like watching Finding Nemo and denying the theme is about family and childhood

[@luisdaniel9542]

@@Chris-rg6nm the game is not a socialist or communist society, not even close lmao

[@riotbreaker3506]

@@Chris-rg6nm does it mean anything that these characters thought the capitalist society was so bad that they would rather risk their lives in a death-game?

[@riotbreaker3506]

@@Chris-rg6nm then it wouldn't be a communist society, would it?

[@avablobbity4757]

I'm still pissed Gi Hun didn't help Ali's wife and child

[@saltchipper-7147]

How would he find them they’re not even in Korea anymore

[@inescastellano7960]

Please make a video about Snowpiercer. It has so much to analyze

[@saadiabintaanis585]

I agree, I loved snowpiecer. It does have deep and dark meanings.

[@chugonomics]

Thank you so much for using the original Korean audio. A lot of video essays have been using the awful dub that I can't take seriously.

[@FaerieFaline]

Am I the only one who feels like the least believable part was that his hair could go from black to red in one session?

[@lyndsay80]

Korean hairdressers are no joke 😂

[@isabelatostes8851]

Thank you SO MUCH for talking about this perspective. Everybody is talking about Squid Game, but very few people are discussing it for real. I watched the whole show thinking "yeah, this is our society, this is our everyday life. WE CAN'T ACCEPT IT ANYMORE", but then the videos and the memes about it are so shallow, it's like most people got it wrong or something. D:

[@mynameisreallycool1]

I think making jokes and memes about the show is fine. We did that with The Hunger Games back in the day. We can both make memes about it and pay attention to the theme of the show.

[@martinenyx-filmstuff305]

Imagine being so rich you have to watch people die in order to get entertained.

[@jade5615]

Happens in real life. Research “most dangerous game”

[@Feliciatanktop]

Squid Game reminds me of the US healthcare system

[@guokfdukknbgjk9416]

how?

[@guokfdukknbgjk9416]

You guys finally found something bad to say about america and using this shit even at something like that damn video.

[@crypticcryptid4702]

@@guokfdukknbgjk9416 "Finally found something bad to say about America"????? No country is perfect, there can be criticism against every country. Though at least not every country charges for an Ambulance, let alone $400 - $1,200.

[@grapeshot]

It seemed to me it was also talking about the class struggle that you often times fine in South Korean society.

[@inigobantok1579]

The inequality it usually mentions is the opportunity being trampled by competition which is one of main concepts of capitalism. South Korea has one of the hardest countries to make progress of your specific profession

[@yugoslavia1]

this video was pretty good up until when it started talking about the ending imo, the point seemed to be entirely missed. gi-hun did win the prize money but that's not actually a win. getting the money isn't what he really wanted, he wanted to not be in constant poverty and just be able to have himself and his family be safe, just like everyone else there. the money is not the important part but instead what the money can do for you. but if your family has all died or gone away, there's not much that it can do for you anymore except fill the void with meaningless material possessions. you could do what gi-hun is going to do and try to take down the system that did this to you, but still, that doesn't bring back all those people who were killed or get you what you wanted from the start. plus, gi-hun made all those real connections with other people in the same exact situation with him as he was playing the game just to see them murdered and betrayed by the people who once would never do that. the abilities that money brings drive people to do whatever things they can for the people they love, whether that be themself or others. doing those things almost always drives everyone to death. gi-hun was only successful at surviving the game, everything else in his life got entirely ruined because of the fact that he had to play it. all for the enjoyment of others. doesn't seem like a win to me

[@montecristo1845]

To care about your own survival is being an organism. To also care about another’s survival is being human.

[@fravels9903]

I think being a collective is one way but that still doesnt always works as the rich will always find a way to distract the poor or in a way place new barriers. We would like to believe tht if you hustle hard enough you can be part of the rich, but ppl forget that most of the ultra rich were already rich to begin and had very different starting lines.

[@Stooch]

what about the part where they are all trashy individuals who don’t work for anything

[@racewiththefalcons1]

But...but...but...a hard right-winger who loves capitalism because they get to or at least desire to exploit others for personal gain told me it's actually _not_ about capitalism. Are you SURE you got it right? Is the show's creator SURE he's right, too?

[@SteveVon7]

The economy in the grandest scale is sadly a zero sum game, the only time is was'nt was in the days where all people were self sufficient. The earth provides more than any human can consume, but money is man-made and it's impossible for one to get rich without someone getting poor assuming all were once equal, there is no alternative

[@sammeettelang6267]

Squid Game is an amazing show with an interesting hope Netflix renews it for a Season 2.

[@abandonedfragmentofhope5415]

But Korean dramas rarely get more than 1 season because they're made like miniseries. Like less than 1% get a second season. I hope so too but trust me this might be all we get.

[@stratospherica]

It's got some definite sequel bait in the finale so I figure it's set itself up for a second season, but I'm not sure I want a season 2. It's told the story it needed to tell, so more of the same would be kind of meaningless, and making good on the promise that the game would be brought down feels like a betrayal of the overarching message of the show.

[@TheTrueMariWho]

“You are all equal” = socialism/ communism

[@anteeko]

"“You are all equal” = socialism/ communism" Also the whole "everything is organised from the top" sound much more like communism

[@munimunus6141]

The only one who truly rejected the game, totally and completely, was the girl who played marbels with north korean refugee girl. She refused to even engage in rat race and at the end gave her life based on what is right - acording to her, the other girl had more reasons to live. Capitalism is essentially patriarchal hierarchy and it takes completely other mindset and logic to break it, which you will only find in woman, or more precisely, in womens unity, which is what the duo of 2 girls represented. No man in that game had the capacity to break the system, because at the end, that same system is designed to benefit men, and every each of them knows deep down that he may be the lucky one, rather than some girl. While women resent it completely, even the annoying one, who ended up killing her ex lover with her, had the kind of attitude towards the red suits army that was full of pride and rejection of their rules, that no man had.

[@andrams6010]

i like to think of Oh Il Nam as a korean version of Citizen Kane. Citizen Kane was a man who had millions of dollars. Everybody would envy him and everybody would want to be him , but he didnt like being a millionaire , in fact he hated it. He was happy with the little things, the little joys in life like his sled Rosebud. But ALL of that was taken away from him. The only thing he got in exchange was money. He hated money because no matter how much money he spent, he couldnt recover the happiness and joy he had lost. He always lost , whether it was in politics, or pushing his second wife s career as an opera singer. Oh Il Nam most likely was a poor man as a kid. Just like everyone in our current society, he wanted to become rich. He mentions he used to live in an alley with his children. Im assuming back then he was still struggling to progress in his career. My theory is that his children died while he was finally starting to make progress in his career. He lost his family, and the only thing he got in exchange was money, the money he had coveted for so long, but no matter what he did Money wouldnt give him back the joy he had lost. He felt betrayed by the society who had pushed him to pursue money and wealth , and made him forget the truly important things in life, the simple daily joys like hugging your family and saying "i love you" to them. He grew resentful of the modern capitalistic society and thats why he started the games. What he calls "boring" is actually a lack of joy, a lack of happiness. And i think the reason he offers money to the winner is an experiment. He wants to see whether having all that money will make them happy, or will they just end up miserable like him.

[@GoodBoyFx]

wow just blown away by the depth take on the movie, so much could be missed in midst of violence. Most important thing is we get the underlying message. An outstanding analysis of the movie/connection to capitalistic ways & human response to it. In end, i'd say a bit of every character a person needs to survive in our crooked world but yes most importantly the Hero's good heart & trust in humanity & valueing relaitonships/life over money lets us know what we should we be more like to win this game of life. I thank you & look forward to other TAKES, ART is beautiful, a picture is worth a 1000 words (subscribed!)

[@lamcho00]

While watching I couldn't shake the feeling the whole game resembles a corporate structure and I'm playing the game too, just much larger timescale. My mother being sick and me not able to provide the best medical care really made me feel like nowadays it depends largely on money who lives and who dies. I'm not a gambler or poor. I work and still can't do enough. In the series the guys in the red suits with geometric figures on their face masks really represent supervisors and different layer managers. They are still expendable like everybody else but they agree to the whole system just because they are bit better of than the bottom players and can look down on somebody else. Finally the ones on the top represent the shareholders, they can't go wrong. If you own the means of production in a country, no matter what, you can't loose. What people will stop eating or dressing or traveling because of a financial crisis or war or whatever? It really is the people who can vote out this system, but everyone seems to be focused on the big money at the top, just like in the TV series. I'm NOT saying go communist because capitalism is really Squid Game in disguise, but I do think progressive taxation can do wonders. We don't really need billionaires in our world anyway. All income over 100 000$ a year should be taxed at 90+%. US did it under Franklin Delano Roosevelt to fund WW2. Japan did it after WW2 to stop the Zaibatsu. Both countries got better off doing it.

[@CarnageTrooperx]

There are Japanese billionaires. I’m sure there in most first world countries with US having the most. I’m not saying we shouldn’t make sure they do their fair part but it looks like to me they are just part of life now. Edit: I’d also be cautious of using examples post WW2 Era. US was in a good place economically speaking because it was was the only country that was untouched by the war. Most of Europe and Asia had a lot of damage to repair. This left America being the sole provider to essential resources creating lots of power and influence. Such is the way of things. Not sure if the same tactics would work today since it’s a much more competitive world, economically

Excellent critique, a very happy subscriber to your channel here.

[@paulinaenck5797]

It’s good game was really trying to give an anti capitalist message, Seung-woo would have won

[@elizabethlee2136]

Yeah if you wanted anti capitalist propaganda. Because I don't think that anticapitalism is the true enemy of capitalism. Capitalism is built on hope. So for the true believers it is like a religion. GIHoon won because he didn't deserve it. If it was based on Goodness Ali would have won and everyone would have lived. If it would have been about Fairness Sae Byeok would have won. Even in terms of effort and doing your best... Sang Woo deserved the money he sold his soul for. Gihoon did nothing to deserve the money and didn't even need it. But the desire for hope as fruitless as it was in the easy to manipulate contestants minds they literally kill themselves with lies and even suicide. Because the system has caused such damage to their psychology they think they have no intrinsic inner value. GiHoon survives this lack of hope by being a good person but he didn't win because he's a good person. and even this is in question as he let's a homeless person die instead of helping him, abandons Cheol Kang and heck even abandons his daughter again. He was willing to watch a man die just to kill IL Nam... not cool. That is fucked up. Meaning can't come from your wealth and we have to break our programming.

[@shahriarhakim6673]

No system is perfect but having private asset and capitalism is at least better than being red

[@elizabethlee2136]

@@shahriarhakim6673 yeah. So take criticism and slightly change things before capitalism is destroyed. It needs to change to survive. It has changed in the past. We don't have child labour. Many countries let women work for the same pay as men, they let people take time off for children and sickness. Stop acting like every criticism is wrong and a surprise. If we can get rid of slavery we can change other things too.

[@chimedemon]

@@shahriarhakim6673 the whole “lesser of two evils” argument is bullshit and one of the reasons why we’re still in this mess with the looming, ever present “end of the fucking world” on all our backs as the governments and corporations of the world don’t do anything. We can change, but our system kicks out anyone who wants to make the immediate change we all desperately need like Bernie Sanders. I don’t know man… that’s some bullshit.

[@shahriarhakim6673]

@@chimedemon so what change are you suggesting? I always see people talk about how we need change but they never propose a solution. Should we get rid of capitalism? or what? Give me some wisdom

[@magma4168]

Can we talk about how the loan sharks courteously stopped harassing Gi-fun after the game, without collecting the debt?

[@silvermoonshineX3]

i noticed that too. Also, he has NO problems loaning 10k from the bank guy when he looks like a homeless person, but at the beginning he is laughed at when he asks for 10k. Thought this was an interesting parallel.

[@elianafajardo3413]

I agree with some of the other comments that say that this specific video misses the point at the end.

[@caracre]

As you highlight your sponsor. Americans always into dictating messages: it’s about this!

[@MrTooEarnestOnline]

I mean it’s a pretty comprehensive reading of the show. Plus you can critique capitalism while still participating in it. You gotta eat right?

[@anequintana539]

the creator of the show themselves said it was about capitalism.

[@gretchengeorge5302]

Wow. You want a gold star for that ground breaking discovery?

[@rahma6992]

wow they live in a society

[@mynameisreallycool1]

"Dictating messages"? They're just analyzing the message, which most people, even the creator himself, has agreed on. It's not an "American" thing. Do you think only Americans are allowed to make videos like this? Everyone is allowed to interpret any media they like, even if you personally don't agree with or are offended by them, because *New Flash* the world doesn't revolve around you.

[@flingstrike8893]

Its easy for people to criticize capitalism, but harder for people to come up with a system with less problems I know a lot of people still romanticise communism because they havent experienced it, if they would have lived one week under Mao's regime back in the days they would never say a good thing about communism again

[@nenmaster5218]

Wrong. People seem to you like the yromanticiize Communism because they wake-up to the MASSIVE STRAWMANNING over Decades that People like Bezos, Voldemort and Musk have put much, much Money into. Socialism, the better VErsio nof Communism, in fact works and oyu just dont know.

[@Three_Diamonds]

I literally just finished binge watching this show. I can't believe he went back!

[@clarkparker4860]

Only now do I realize that On Il-nam's original voice sounds exactly like Master Yoda's.

[@mjtubeme]

Can we also talk about how capitalism has already capitalized off of the series.

[@lauren1211]

I was thinking the same thing

[@mjtubeme]

@@lauren1211 Like it's a double edge sword. On the one hand, it being pop culture is good. But that also makes it easier to profit off of. This is actually a tactic that capitalism uses to water down anything that threatens its status quo. Like the Hunger Games, or even Bart Simpson back in the day.

[@Ronariverah]

Yes a mix of kindness , luck and cleverness one but another person we have not met in the games lost we just didn't follow them.

[@bendu8282]

“Squid Game’s premise often seems to entail a very dark view of human nature and how our capitalist societies are structured. But there are also glimmers of optimism and more positive hints about human nature. The show seems to revolve around the struggle between these two fundamental world views. Do you see yourself as ultimately an optimist?” “That’s very difficult to answer. Personally, I’m not an optimist, and people around me often tell me that I’m more of a cynical type. So it’s true that the world of Squid Game is depicted in a very dark way, in a cynical way, with some very cold-eyed views on humanity. Nevertheless, I believe that we cannot go on living without trust in other people - unless you choose to do wrong things and go down a dark path. This is very well depicted in the lines of Gi-hun. Right before the nighttime battle when he is approaching Sae-byeok (the female North Korean defector, played by breakout star Jung Ho-yeon) to come join his team. Sae-byeok says, “I don’t trust people.” But to that, Gi-hun says, “You don’t trust people because you can; you trust people because you have to” - meaning, we don’t have anything else to depend on. Those lines from Gi-hun are, in fact, exactly in line with my feelings. Many of us are put in situations where we cannot really trust other people. I mean, I have been put in that situation quite often. But even though that is the case, if you don’t trust other people, and if you don’t have trust in the humanity that is inside yourself, then there is really no answer for you as to how you are going to live. So even though the overall situation in the world is quite grim, and even though some people will betray you, and even though you’re in a situation where it’s quite difficult for you to have trust in anyone, fundamentally, you have to strive to believe in that last glimmer of hope that is coming out of Pandora’s box. These were my thoughts. And it’s portrayed in that scene near the end, where Gi-hun is approaching the sleeping Sang-woo with a knife in his hand, and he’s preparing to stab him. This is the moment when Gi-hun was about to lose the last string of humanity left inside him. But then Sae-byeok stops him, by saying, “You’re not that kind of person.” This is the gift that Sae-byeok gave Gi-hun, by reminding him of his remaining humanity.” He wasn’t commenting on capitalism solely he was commenting on humanity and its dark nature more on a general view then anything of course people like this can’t see the bigger picture and can only narrow it down to a current economic structure they don’t like as what the show is about when this artist has a deeper meaning behind all of this that they can’t grasp ultimately.

[@markgarcia8253]

“And when you lose control you'll reap the harvest you have sown And as the fear grows the bad blood slows and turns to stone And it’s too late to lose the weight you used to need to throw down” -“Dogs” by Pink Floyd

[@morbid1.]

Rich people have too much money... they feel sad it makes them just like poors How delusional you must be to even think that. I have zero compassion for any billionaire.

[@benzur3503]

I dunno, Gi Hun was sorta good, but he wasn’t the kindest, the smartest, or the most capable. It’s true that the sequel bait is just a “without the rich we have no chance”, but it’s less meritocratic capitalism and more “brute facts of life” capitalism, which the show tries to rule out with Oh Il Nam’s final bet but eh

[@wheresthepizza2373]

Rich people would do anything BUT give away money

[@imasarevans725]

Yaaaeey.. finally The Take give away their reviews on this film which I just finished watching it 3 days ago, thank you! Only 2 views today xx

[@smileyp4535]

I'm amazed that this channel I've never seen before but reminds me of something like watch mojo will go this deep and unflinching into a critique of capitalism, that's awesome. Capitalism is something we need to move on from if we're going to survive as a species Edit: I love that you así don't shy away from the parts that it fails in its criticism too, it is after all, a story. There's no such thing as a "good" capitalist you can be nice but the only "good" option is to try to end it. If you're rich you have more obligation to help Edit 2: 18:05 YES this is SUCH a great observation, thw only way out of capitalism is IF WE ALL WORK TOGETHER. Unionize and fight collectively, rich and poor together so we can ALL be better off

[@hadayimosi]

This isn't deep, it is shallow, at best.

[@CarnageTrooperx]

“Move on from capitalism”. I don’t understand this. Yes our practices have changed to create safer working environments, security, and overall satisfaction but the fundamentals will always be there. What would we move on to? Is there any other economic form where things like this don’t happen? If so, where? Life itself is pure chaos and unfair. That’s how it was before humans and will be after humans. The hope capitalism can provide will most likely always be unattainable, that’s my cynical opinion, but believing affects how people treat each other and helps a unfair life not be that shitty. That’s all anyone can do

[@Neater_profile]

I'll tell you what my dad thinks squid games about capitalism: If you don't get on board, you'll have a hard time.

[@valeriahaze9509]

Yep, tell about bad capitalism to people who survived communism. You can easily change the word capitalism to every known system and your video still will be correct. It's like someone criticizing any food while famine nearby. I'm referencing the original story of South and North Korea. It's impossible to compare those two sides, but still. I'm from a country that survived through Holodomor, communism, repressions, deportations, labor camps, and all that, and we know when someone talks about capitalism in that way, it's a red flag, that the person wants all this back how it was. It's part of marxism philosophy and their opinion caused by powerful anti-western propaganda, but it's strange to hear the same narrative from someone who was born in capitalistic societies, like don't you have a choice where to work, what to do, where to travel? What are you talking about? It would be more understandable if you suggested a better system or ways to improve current, but you don't. And it's creating the misleading feeling like capitalism itself causes all unequal standards and social problems in the world. I like your videos about different topics I want to understand more, but I'm disappointed by this shallow analysis. Still, your channel is great and I've learned a lot from other videos on other topics.

[@krasmasov6852]

We don't have the choice of where to work, what to do, or where to travel. You need money to do all of that, and if you don't have any money, you're stuck with whatever you can get.

[@krystalm.4687]

I understand what you mean about how its misleading capitalism atleast in the united states for some reason some people are being lead to believe capitalism is bad and to want something that is pretty much communism. Alot of media seems to label itself as anti-capitalist that there is an unequal standard even though people who grow up poor can become billionaires it doesn’t matter race or what social class they were. People also have rights it seems like the narrative tries to make people put too much emphasis on money if they don’t have a lot of it they don’t have happiness or choices they can’t live life like they want. Someone may start off with a job they don’t want but they can move their way up there are opportunities . I understand a critique because it isn’t perfect but to completely make it evil isn’t good especially with worse systems out there.

[@krasmasov6852]

@@krystalm.4687 The overwhelming majority of people who grow up poor cannot become billionaires. They most likely won't even reach a point where they aren't worrying about bills. Under capitalism, you don't have happiness or choices without money. That is a fact of how the system works. Jobs don't all have upward mobility. You can get stuck especially since companies now find it cheaper to deal with turnover than to actually promote. Capitalism is transparently evil, and it should be abolished entirely. But yes, there are worse systems. Be sure to laugh at monarchists who want a return to feudalism. And remember, the only good fascist is a dead fascist.

[@RisingRecluse]

The team at The Take does an amazing job on these pop culture analysis videos. Well researched and great editing.

[@valvarezable]

Capitalism at its best:make millions through a streaming platform selling a story about how capitalism is bad, but at the same time create a loyal fan base who will buy every merchandising piece available on the market (see custumes for Halloween) . Of course, being anticapitalist is trendy, a hot thing, and that sales. Capitalism FTW.

[@inigobantok1579]

Because humans are naturally creative on how to exploit the most possible advantage in a world of scarcity. That's why alternatives to capitalism don't work because as long as we at least in the western countries, encounter scarcity and needing to make a trade off, we would naturally go to the most convinent optimization

[@grennbalze]

So true. AOC selling over priced t-shirts…”no capitalism here” 🤔

[@nafunafu0]

this.

[@kys4s4c]

Y'all: Communism is when no iphone

[@GrahamMilkdrop]

Greed and exploitation are not moral issues they are features of economic theory!

[@absolutlyrandomn]

LETS TALK AB THE SANGWOO/GIHUN PARALELS SOME MORE! In the first lunch break scene Sangwoo is suspicious of the food they are given, so instead of eating he gives it to Ali, WHILE THINKING IT MAY BE BAD, bc in case it is indeed some poison or something at least HE didn't eat it. He purposedly sets up one of his own allies from the get go, much like he does in the second game, because he fears 'showing his cards' and becoming vulnerable, he fears not having the advantage. GiHun also gives Ali his milk, because he can't drink it and so it's of no use to him, and he figures out Ali can have his then, and funnily enough it's his licking idea that ends up helps others on the 2nd round and, sure, he didn't do it on purpose the second time, but it's almost as if Gi-Hun and Sangwoo balance each other sometimes.

[@cmccleese6190]

Well executed video essay ladies! 👏🏾

[@grennbalze]

Disagree, they made a lot of comparisons to capitalism which arent the intrinsic basis for capitalism. No matter what kind of economic structure you have for a society, there will always be some people more well off in terms of power, wealth, and/or safety. The struggles these people are going through may have occurred under capitalism, but i disagree in the portrayal that Squid Game is an allegory on capitalism

[@pebicentric]

Thank heavens for pointing out the Battle Royale reference!!!!

[@frijolmistico]

I feel like it’s a critique of both the worst of capitalism and the reality of communism in practice. Capitalism is not the only political system that contains corruption. Systems that are entirely socialist and or communist have welcomed corruption and abuse of the public with open arms. Capitalism at least gives you the ability to climb the latter. There is no escape from your position in life when you’re in a communist or strictly socialist society. Also, in this show everyone makes choices; the message to me discusses the issues of all spectrums of these political systems. It shows that people are easy to fall to their vices, that treating these issues should be priority, that there is corruption in all systems, etc. You can’t assign these things to political parties. All political systems are corrupt, all. Politicians of high-status are almost always parasites. To some degree, someone is getting screwed, and morals are being compromised.

[@dericmederos1514]

12:00 Huh? He won out of luck. That's what the writer wanted to show. He was a gambler with no unique abilities and just got lucky and won.

[@meurtri9312]

facts of the show are being misrepresented here in order to justify their twist conclusion. the main guy wasn't forced to gamble, he did betray his friend, and he is not the "good guy" getting the "good ending."

[@nonelikememe]

Capitalism isn't the death game..people not coming together is the main problem. Remember majority rules and they all went back and chose to play that game to make one person rich. We need to support small businesses and stop buying into these big companies making them rich and keeping us poor.

[@A2Zondeck]

It’s driving me nuts 🥜 her name is not sai byok it’s pronounced SEH-byok. I mean she says it correctly in the film >

[@anoni6108]

Different languages have different sounds that you arent able to fully reproduce when you speak a language in which those sounds don't exist

[@jacquelinelugo5518]

I loved how some people were like, I wouldn't play Squid Game for 38 million dollars that's too low. I'm sorry but y'all just have 38 million dollars laying around. Either way that is a lot of money, and that's the point even if it isn't a lot people are down on money. And that's why the game picks on those who would be most desperate to win that money.

[@ghostlightning]

Yet another critical work fails the purity test. However, SG (like most good stories) is more than one thing (not even taking into account however readers/viewers create/take different and multiple meanings of/from it/them). But the game of the media is capturing attention, and so this channel plays it by calling the subject some kind of failure because that gets more clicks. (alternatively, point out redeeming value from a highly unpopular subject) The game the channel plays is Capitalism too.

[@coachleif]

I am only speculating, as I do not know Korean, so I am only reading the tea leaves, but I interpreted Sae Byeok telling Gi-hun he isn't that kind of person to mean something different than "good" or "bad" in that moment. He lost his sense of level headedness and balance and very nearly fell for a trick. Sae Byeok, having stolen from Gi-hun before knows this weakness of his, and makes an emotional appeal, but I think it's because she believes he isn't that gullible that he would fall for a trap if he were thinking clearly, she knows him better than that.

[@chrisl9112]

The players don't find themselves in the desperate situations they're in because of some mythical system floating around somewhere. Virtually all of them are there because they made awful life decisions at every possible turn.

[@tatakoala1725]

I don't think Gi-Hun winning is implying that one can win capitalism if one is just kind hearted enough, it just shows that if you are successful, DESPITE having a good heart/good morals, it just means that others have done the dirty work for you. You can only afford having a good heart, because of the sacrifices others have made for you. Even if you don't know it or don't want to acknowledge it... Even the kindhearted protagonist could not have won if other contestants hadn't killed contestants so that he didn't have to do it or if his friend in the end hadn't killed himself. And even winning didn't bring him happiness, it put him into PTSD and the inability to enjoy life, just vegetating and never touching the money (until by coincidence the old man invites him to his place)

[@PapillonBleuNoir]

I'm not sure that Gi-hun winning was about cementing the idea of capitalism. Granted, you do need to use your brain a little, but the show itself comments through Sang-woo on the fact that he is doing the dirty work for him. Also, at least for me, it was painfully obvious that Gi-hun being 16th in the game was just awfully lucky. Also, they say that everyone 'has an equal chance' but they purposefully manipulate the games, making it impossible to make the right choices - like the honeycomb game: they could easily give everyone an easy shape, but they don't (well you mention this in "equating randomness with equality"). Besides, the game never mentioned that there must be only one winner, however we go through one episode at a time learning about and attaching to all the characters, and they kill ALL of them except Gi-hun. Including his mother. He may have won, but I'm not sure if a lot of people feel super happy about that in the light of all the misery, deaths, unfairness and everything that precedes this. Completed with the fact that he lives like a homeless person not touching the money for a year after the fact. As for him using his wealth to go after the culprits - well, though problematic in a way, the fact stands that you need money to survive, and this is a good way to use it when you have it. The problem is that most who do don't use it on anything but perpetuating the status quo and treading on those beneath them.

[@festethefool6701]

Exactly, it's not saying that you can win because you're a good person, it's saying that being good or bad doesn't really matter either way. The show tells us that the games have been going since the 1990's - so there have been dozens of winners, and like horse-racing, certain attributes are useful but no perfect formula for knowing how someone might win. So if it goes on long enough, statistically speaking, eventually someone like Gi-hun will survive. I liked the way his final look is a punk hair colour and an expensive suit - like he's got a duality to his nature now that is composite of both ends of the wealth spectrum. It's reminiscent of Orwell's refrain- "If there is hope, it lies in the proles." Like, Gi-hun did have an anti-establishment past - he watched his co-worker get beaten to death by riot police. So now he's a punk with resources- which is like the most frightening thing to all tyrants. Sorry for the rant- I just got a bit irritated when they said the ending undercuts the message, when actually I found it thematically worked really nicely.

[@elizabethlee2136]

And it may come up. What if his quest for vengeance against the VIP cause a heel turn, especially at the expense of the happy ending with his family. A selfish desire can transform good intention turning a hero into a sadistic monster. Like qt the end of Hunger Games how Coin tries to start the games again. A revolution of the new leadership

[@festethefool6701]

@@elizabethlee2136 yeah man totally! there's plenty of visual references to that possibility - The paintings recreated in certain shots (mostly of Gi-hun and Il Nam) are from Rene Magritte, Michelangelo and MC Escher - and all explore the symbiotic nature of power between the "upper" and "lower" classes / "creator" and "creation." I think there is a really interesting possible story in a second season, seeing Gi-hun struggle with power this time, instead of poverty, has great narrative potential.