Why Squid Game Is SO GOOD! | Series Analysis & Review

Squid Game is one of the most popular shows to hit Netflix, but what makes it so good? In this video I'll review this South Korean Drama and why it has become so popular amongst audiences & how it was made.
-Timestamps-
0:00 Intro
1:16 Development History
4:31 First Impressions
5:53 Characters
12:45 Episode 6
20:25 Gi-hun vs Sang-Woo
23:02 Art Direction
24:12 Ending
25:45 Closing Thoughts
Music Used:
"Weather Channel Music" from Wii
"Stray Sheep" from Catherine
"Lamb Game Between Man and Woman" from Catherine
"Date" from Your Name
"It Was A Quiet Day" from Erased
"Odayaka na Asa" from Assassination Classroom
"Title Theme" from New Super Mario Bros. Wii
"The Sandy Beach of Gumbo" from Grandia
"Unjust Life" from Angel Beats
"Carefree Time" from Erased
"Round 1" from Squid Game
"Remember My Name" from Squid Game
"Owe" from Squid Game
"Let's Go Out Tonight" from Squid Game
"Dawn" from Squid Game
"Way Back Then" from Squid Game
"Never Coming Back" from Violet Evergarden
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►Instagram: / eruptionfang
#SquidGame

[@titanarc4862]

Ali's death literally broke me. He was so nice and innocent. He represented the good and love in humanity, but was twisted and destroyed when he was betrayed.

[@redlegionnaire4692]

Spoiler alert first please😥😥

[@TehSeksyManz]

@@redlegionnaire4692 I agree with you, but, if you're watching a video that is covering a show, you should be expecting spoilers. Also, I hope that this doesn't ruin your chances of watching the show. Do it. It is worth it.

[@sauldobarcovijek4650]

"mr" 😭

[@imagine9132]

same ;( rip ali

[@briicksyy]

@@redlegionnaire4692 bruh- who is that stupid to go in the comments and even watch videos about the series, if they haven‘t finished it. Ofc people will talk about things that happened in the k-drama 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@sobosoup]

The “thanks for playing with me” line was probably the best line I’ve ever heard in any media (second is Ali screaming brother after sang woo betrayed him). It’s just so emotional and powerful, it’s just the last words of a woman that had nothing to live for, and decided to give that life to someone who could use it

[@angelic252]

for me it was the "everything is going to be alright" from Il-Nam that made me burst into tears (i was already crying by that point, but that broke the camel's back), I had suspected he was faking his dementia for the second part of their game, and expected him to give up the last marble willingly at the end, but that only made the moment all the more tragic when it came.

[@Solar-em2ld]

@@angelic252 At the time, I almost felt as if Il-Nam were speaking to the audience when he said that. Just like you, I was already in tears by that point, and him saying "it's going to be alright" felt like the show was trying to comfort me. Not sure if that was their intention, but yeah, that line broke me

[@Thesilentvoice...]

To me when that girl said that to Sae byeok I feel like she just started to have something to live for, I feel like after chatting with Sae Byeok and learning about her as a person she wanted to live. She kept saying lets go to Jeju Island together and get drinks etc, it was like she forgot about the fact that one of them will die. Sae Byeok kept reminding her and it was like she snapped back to reality. All she needed was a friend, she was lonely after her parents died. She had no one and she is probably poor too, I can see how she went to the Squid Game. She wanted to die until she befriended Sae Byeok. It sucks.

[@monkeytime9851]

No sure if it is appropriate for me to say or not, but both of these actresses were absolutely gorgeous to me as well.

[@sobosoup]

@Monkey TIme I agree, they’re beautiful and did an amazing job acting!

[@golddragon8702]

I went in thinking, "just watch first episode." Ended up staying up watching to the very end. Then look up at time, had two hours left get to work.

[@TehSeksyManz]

Did you call in, or tough it out? Hah

[@golddragon8702]

@@TehSeksyManz tough it out.

[@TehSeksyManz]

@@golddragon8702 Damn, how rough was that day? I've gone to work on 3 hours of sleep, not fun.

[@golddragon8702]

It wasn't bad, light work about five hours but, you bet went to bed when got home.

[@killersg.8290]

When squid game got popular, I mocked it and was making fun of it. After some days, I kinda got interested, so I chose to watch the trailer and when I did, I was shocked of how good it was, so that’s where I became a big fan of the show. I just finished the series now and the ending was sad and myesterious

[@Gesundheiterkeit]

Imo, Saebyok's victory would not have emphasized how hollow and deceiving the whole premise of squid game actually is. It makes more symbolic, or allegorical sense for Gihun, who was able to remain who he was until the end, to win the prize. Only to learn that what he had won by stepping over others' dead bodies, means nothing, now that his mother is dead. There was never meant to be a winner.

[@astraeanatsuki3231]

I liked the way saebyeok got a shard of glass and got injured, people call it unfair but thats what I liked about her death... I mean it just showed how some people always get the shorter end of the stick no matter how much effort they put in! Her character had always faced bad luck, the bad luck of being born in North Korea, the bad luck of loosing her mother, the bad luck of not being able to provider for her brother, the bad luck of being scammed when she wanted to get her mother back, the bad luck of having to deal with goons and the bad luck of having to choose squid game and the bad luck of being stabbed even tho she qualified for next round! That shard of glass was the personification of her misfortune! As sad as it was, I felt it was fitting for her character

[@hanifahfauziah7114]

Agree, the ending will be less impactfull if Saebyeok the winner. It just be a common happy ending.

[@rapooi]

There was never meant to be a winner. Very profound and sadly true

[@levischorpioen]

I agree with her death being necessary, I just wish she died in one of the games, not in the aftermath of one by something avoidable.

[@monkeytime9851]

I think my favourite thing about this show being so loved worldwide is that it is breaking through the culture and language barrier. I don't remember a time that the west so embraced a subtitled show.

[@RandomUserX99]

or a show full of Asians.

[@commentbot9510]

Yeah that’s why I really wasn’t expecting this hype. There have been shows that are just as good that were Asian but they didn’t get this main stream recognition. And while it’s awful, there is at least the option of watching a dub.

[@amandalogan89]

The Untamed is the only other one I can think of

[@samu-chan]

@@commentbot9510 could ya name a few I'm interested

[@JohnDoe-zt4sy]

@@samu-chan “old boy” “the man from nowhere” and “ I saw the devil” to get you started :)

[@2yearoldeastercandy935]

Most depictions of dementia in media seem way off to me. But seeing Il-nam’s health decline hit close to home with me. He had the same mannerisms as my grandmother. It felt so real to me

[@froggy_6716]

Him saying “please don’t yell” I burst into tears.

[@Bunny11344]

I loved that old man😭 the actor was so good

[@angelic252]

that's exactly why I wish I hadn't watched the last episode, the emotional impoact Il-nam had had on me throughout the series was forcefully cheapened and dirtied.

[@suleimank871]

@@Bunny11344 his broad smile when he was about to pass that first game was so cute 😊

[@adrianazashen]

@@angelic252 while my boyfriend kept saying, "I feel like he is in on it" throughout the show & I jokingly said, "well his death was off camera, so he may be alive!" in episode 6, the last episode still surprised me haha the betrayal!

[@itsamadworld2711]

Ji-yeong and Sae-byeok's moment, was the best part of the entire series for me. I can't stop thinking about it. Incredible acting by both actresses.

[@kc8724]

Hoyeon played saebyeok so well considering she’s a professional model and this was her first time acting

[@jamyabrice1450]

I cry thinking about their last scene together

[@ebentually]

yes this scene was so very powerful i would have to lie if i said it weren't my favorite either (menaing it's my favorite too)

[@deedee9992]

It’s not overrated, the writer got their ideas rejected so many times before this so I believe he deserves this, also mentioning how it’s written brilliantly

[@crazybastard2.041]

its overrated but good

[@fukunaga-kane]

Wow his ideas is so good that its a blantant copy from the Manga Kaiji

[@peronafanman]

@@fukunaga-kane Inspiration doesn't equal Copy.

[@peronafanman]

@@fukunaga-kane And doesn't Manga Kaji have more supernatural elements and Squid Game is more down to Earth?

[@peronafanman]

@@xdpost2432 Alright so, why are you on a video about Squid Game if you hate the show so much? Don't you realize that that will only make KZbin recommend more Squid Game videos to you?

[@ateddybear1392]

Problem I had with Sae-Byeok’s death was she got seriously injured by the shattered glass, but she’d won the game already. So for something that was suppose to be about fairness, that didn’t seem fair to her at all.

[@CandieP]

That perfectly describes the world we live in. No matter how fair we play the game, the odds are always stacked against us when you don’t have money or resources.

[@dvdbox360]

Actually nothing is fair in this show it's all an illusion

[@Domas2]

Agreed. But I can see the fairness in it. The glass was broken in front of all 3. 1st to get across would be further back but the glass will still fly towards them. Shattered glass can peirce anyone just your luck if it impaled you or not

[@ryanliu117]

@@dvdbox360 explain

[@tiddle51]

@@ryanliu117 those that were orchestrating the game kept the illusion that it was “fair” in order to keep the participants content and keep them playing. Much like the world we live in where we are told that everything is within our own control and as long as we pull ourselves up “by our bootstraps” then we’ll succeed, when in reality it mostly all comes down to the circumstances we are born into, and luck. It’s all an illusion to keep us in line.

[@spicyseaweed]

As much as I loved Ali's character, the 6th episode also warns us of blind innocence that can be easily preyed upon by deceptive individuals.

[@ThirdCultureChinese]

Sae Byeok’s death seems too convenient to me, but it’s understandable that the final round has be the two childhood friends and their clash of ideologies

[@lilmario0]

Lol I was like how come she the only one who got hit with a big ass piece of glass.

[@commentbot9510]

Maybe they were limited on time, but there should have been another game at least. She was my favorite so I’m sad :(

[@Domas2]

Funny thing is she didnt die from the glass. She was finished off by the main antagonist further pushing the bug rival. "Rain knows the best time to fall" Also the KZbinr Byest was showing a lot ^w^ Also let's be honest she would of been potential to get them both killed. The guards wouldnt have helped her and when the game starts she might of been one foot in the grave having to be shot from passing out or even having to lean on the main character

[@dylanthony1]

I would’ve rather seen her be healthy and cho sang-woo do something devious that kills her. Because it didn’t seem as evil of him to kill a woman that’s already about to die. Because they weren’t going to help her

[@cornnog]

Wasn't very convenient for her 😅

[@rotsen3123]

this series is not overrated to some sort (atleast for me). it actually deserves its popularity. it has a deep meaning beyond those scenes and this depicts people in different situations at the same time. many people can relate to the characters situation and that's why many liked it.

[@quamorant133]

Nah, I personally think this is overrated. Although this has more effort as said in the interview, there are other similar shows that have those things. But it's not as popular as this.

[@rotsen3123]

can you name them? thanks

[@YouCanCallMeReTro]

@@quamorant133 Literally anything that is popular will be seen as overrated... at the end of the day you have to ask yourself if its really ovverated or not. Its easy to find series that are overrated, a lot harder to find ones that are underrated

[@quamorant133]

@@YouCanCallMeReTro Nope, that's not what overrated means...

[@YouCanCallMeReTro]

@@quamorant133 Oh? What does it mean then mr expert on the definition of "overrated"

[@will.is.sabre27]

pretty sure the american's are portrayed that way intentionally, they're fulfilling the caricatures of the american billionaires being so self centered and off putting

[@Deeplycloseted435]

Absolutely. Most Asians view Americans as loud and arrogant. Its a stereotype. Interestingly, South Korea is by FAR the most Americanized country in Asia. Hence all the shopping, plastic surgery, fast food, raging capitalism, and baseball.

[@paulw858]

Or the pool of English-speaking actors they had to pull from was very small, and the writers didn't know how to translate the dialogue to not be horrendously atrocious.

[@mistwolf]

I need to go back and watch the subbed version, the dub seemed fine with them

[@NaNa-wy2tk]

it's not that deep, english speaking foreigners in korean shows are always bad.

[@aristired6252]

They never said they were American though? One guy was Chinese, another was Australian etc. I think it was just the idea of the world’s billionaires are all the same type, as you said, self centered and off putting. They are just as sadistic no matter where you go.

[@starblazer237]

Il-Nam was my favourite character in the whole show, and actually cried when he "died" in episode 6

[@Naisiah]

he WAS mine but i was pissed at the end when i found out the truth

[@killersg.8290]

Spoiler alert: sadly, he owns the thing and died

[@katuni08]

The death in that episode that hit me hardest didn’t even happen on-screen. Imagine getting paired up against your significant other in a life or death game. Because you chose to be their partner. Haunting.

[@JackGiblenSinger]

Same. Which is why I hate the twist at the end.

[@zandrasilver]

his name is Oh Il-Nam

[@mikokennoob5032]

The whole series is so grey area-ed that it makes you feel guilty for empathising with characters. Even sometimes making you second guessing if they chose right. Everything is in suspense. I don't know how to descripe it though. Just so complicated.

[@sarjusth1423]

True. It just makes me realize that even in our own life there is no "only good" or "only bad" we actually live in grey area.

[@astraeanatsuki3231]

It makes you question your own morals in a way you never did before I guess

[@mikokennoob5032]

@@astraeanatsuki3231 exactly!

[@phong5475]

Yeah. Like how I get pissed off with Sang Woo for being a ruthless asshole one second and sympathize with him the next. Yes, he screwed sweet guy Ali over and stabbed tough girl in the neck but when I came to think about it, he doesn’t exactly owe them anything and given the circumstance they were all in, he just did what he had to do. That’s why this series is so good, it’s a grey area of mental and moral acrobatics.

[@BeGlamourlicious]

It’s actually not. The über rich don’t have to play they just enjoy and especially judge the „others“. They are the bad people. Everybody else had to deal with their shit. Like in real life the über rich could change the world and choose not too. They don’t pay taxes, they destroy the earth and are corrupt as hell.

[@r96108]

Sang-woo is actually my favorite. He’s a very complex and morally grey character and I understand why he did what he did. None of the players were in any position to question the morality of the others as these were extraordinary circumstances and technically they all killed someone.

[@kevenson4379]

agree ! he's the most interresting character !

[@Thilde1]

When he died I actually felt really bad for him. Even though he had betrayed Ali and killed player 067, he was still equally important. All my friends hate me for it, but idk I just felt bad for him

[@kevenson4379]

@@Thilde1 ahah, same ! having a hard time telling people he's my fav character lol

[@williamhobbs4202]

Mine too, the actor did an amazing job. I actually think him winning would have been a perfectly good ending, though a controversial one.

[@lonwabozekevu60]

@@BasedAurelius facts

[@astraeanatsuki3231]

People say it’s unfair that Sae-byeok got stabbed by the glass shard but that’s another aspect that I liked about her death... I mean it just showed how some people always get the shorter end of the stick no matter how much effort they put in! Her character had always faced bad luck, the bad luck of being born in North Korea, the bad luck of loosing her mother, the bad luck of not being able to provider for her brother, the bad luck of being scammed when she wanted to get her mother back, the bad luck of having to deal with goons and the bad luck of having to choose squid game and the bad luck of being stabbed even tho she qualified for next round! That shard of glass was the personification of her misfortune! As sad as it was, I felt it was fitting for her character!

[@FionaA17]

Also plays to the aspect that life is not fair and the games are the most fair thing they will ever have in life. That’s why they are games

[@CloakRyzn]

She was incredibly lucky in the marbles games, considering her partner gave her life away so that she could win. She was stabbed by the shard of glass because she purely didn't react fast enough.

[@nkirukaj2384]

Everybody’s always talking about how Ali‘s death broke them and that is valid, however episode six is most impactful death for me is Ji-Yeong’s. Because not only was she a great friend to Sae-Byeok, but that was also the death of one of the three main female characters and half of the two likable ones

[@RandomUserX99]

and the funny thing is the whole thing was filmed in Jeju Island.

[@Bunny11344]

Omg Yass I didn’t know her death would hit me so hard 😢 she was underrated and wish we got to see more of her

[@cornnog]

When it hit her mid-conversation about the future that only one of them could survive 😣

[@luis.f.lopez420]

Yeah honestly it’s ji-yeong was much more likeable to me. Ali was a very wholesome character, but he could have never won even in real life. He’s too naive and in a survival situation like this it’s not about who’s the nicest, but who’s the smartest or the most cold blooded. With that said, my fav characters are actually sae-byeok and sangwoo.

[@nkirukaj2384]

@@luis.f.lopez420 Sae-byeok is the best 😁

[@malware9668]

Episode 6 was a stab in the heart the moment they said to play AGAINST your partner, me and my aunt were screaming no at the tv

[@BrianaLynn7]

i saw that coming from a mile away

[@Bunny11344]

My bf knew it too.. and I was like 😭 nooo ofc they would do that

[@former.]

@@BrianaLynn7 omg you must be so smart

[@BrianaLynn7]

@@former. love that for me :P

[@BrianaLynn7]

@@former. no but really it just reminded me of the hunger games when they said two people could win and then switched it on them at the end

[@PeninsulaPaintings]

To be kinda fair to Sang-Woo's choice to throw the glass maker: 1. It was a 50-50 chance that the glass he landed on; would be fine, he just got unlucky. 2. He wouldn't have had to hurry him up if Deok-Su didn't take so damn long to get out of the way. As much as I understood the need for the crazy chick to go out in style, the entire time she was monologuing; all I could think about was how much time was on the clock and every second counted. If I were that close to the finish line, only to have the person in front of me stall like this...I'd get desperate too. It's easy to call yourself a morally good person in theory, but likely none of us will ever face a situation like this and find out for sure. 3. As mentioned, they only JUST made it over the finish line before the timer ran out. They ALL would've died if Sang-Woo didn't make that choice. He can go fuck himself for betraying Ali and killing Sae Byeok though.

[@varietyvidssentertainment]

You should watch this Squid Game video too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/inTMlpxoqrp_gKc

[@aubri9578]

Lol yes. What he did to Ali and sae-byeok is disgusting but the glass bridge situation was different. He was saving all 3 of them

[@alexsouza9533]

That's hilarious

[@denverbritto5606]

He stood by his principles by suiciding though. His reasoning the whole time was why give up after all we've been through. After all the despicable things he'd done to get to where he was, he knew it would be wrong to drop out at that stage.

[@wisdommanari6701]

@@aubri9578 no he was saving himself they just happened to benefit. He could have jumped on one of those himself to figured it out but he sacrificed someone else. When he ask the protagonist" why are you complaining you lived" he still says "what you did was wrong, he - glass maker- would have had to make a choice in the end" . Taking that choice from him still makes him a killer.

[@heyjk096]

Along with episode 6, episode 2 was really depressing too. When everyone went back to their regular lives, their poverty/debt made them go back to imminent death. Also, my take on Saebyeok’s death, it comes to show that if the poor, especially if they are women, start to get ahead and climb the social/economic ladder, they will have large set backs more often than not (glass ceiling). Reminds me of KiJung/Jessica in Parasite, also another South Korean production.

[@Cure-Skywalker]

She broke the glass ceiling but one of its shards impaled her. Damn

[@lioreubm677]

@@Cure-Skywalker Your mind

[@themi6sportsnetwork171]

I think that Sae-Byeok winning that money instead of Gi-Hun winning it and wasting it for a year wouldn't drive home the point of the endless and pointless rat race that Capitalism is. Having Gi-Hun win that money and being so guilty that he didn't spend it symbolizes the point that there is a limit to how much money can relieve us from pain and bring us joy. This is also perfectly encapsulated by the point from Il-Nam that the rich and the poor have one thing in common: They don't have anything to live for.

[@joannesmith1175]

The value we put in money is all made up in our heads, it can never replace the interactions and experiences we have with others. That's why when people retire or about to die they think of their happiest moments they shared with other people. It's part of our survival system to be social animals, which is why isolation is considered to be a form of punishment in jail.

[@melteddarkchocolate000]

@@joannesmith1175 smart point there 👏

[@evangarcia3373]

Episode 6 was the first time I’ve cries to a movie/TV show in years. Well goddamn done.

[@FNA27601]

Watch Violet evergarden

[@Yenresh]

watch Vikings

[@Bee-ol1xr]

@jc Train to Busan is truly amazing!

[@Bunny11344]

@@FNA27601 I did and it wasn’t sad?

[@XinyueLim.]

@@FNA27601 that is the only other show I've ever cried to

[@bree.t06]

Cool story, my mom was born and raised in Korea. We watched the show together, and she had lots of nostalgia with the squid game, dalgona, marbles, and other games she played as a child in the 70s and early 80s.

[@gurangnagamer8194]

Ali is a representaion of what real kind hearted people are and will be facing in the real world... betrayal and death. And the only conciliation we can and will tell ourselves is that they don't deserve the ugly life on earth.

[@devinixm8235]

Same as sae-byeok kinda

[@xanderfoley6641]

Sang woo is such an incredible character. It’s insane how good he is.

[@nubstars]

I think the glass had to be blown up otherwise they could safely cross the bridge with all the time in the world and no pressure. The presence of timer and explosion threatened death to everyone if they didn’t hurry.

[@MyAura]

💯

[@charlottenuttall1750]

I agree there needed to be time pressure, but could they not just have been dropped and smash on the floor?

[@burningcole2538]

But hammers thou......

[@Bee-ol1xr]

timer? yes. explosion after they were safe? no. it literally got a person killed when she had every right to be a part of the last game

[@briannaoppong-antwi9702]

Usually they shoot who doesn’t make the time

[@googlia9751]

I'm spending more time watching reviews & analysis & reaction videos than the damn show itself. Never had this much obsession with a series.

[@AvesPasseri-Jinysvet]

Yes. I actually didn't see the show and do not even plan to. Seems to me too tough to watch and invest in. But i know the plot, saw some scenes and think it's incredible. 🙂

[@ucproductions9455]

Its just 9 episodes man@@AvesPasseri-Jinysvet

[@koqiu3019]

I saw someone say this but the VIPS were actually meant to represent us, the foreign viewers. The cringey remarks, betting on who lives or dies, and making jokes, they were meant to be us. We were like the VIPS, being spectators in a death game lol

[@prod.str4le107]

That fat guy was one of the cringiest experiences I have experienced in the last few years.It was hard to watch...

[@Ben-oi6kz]

it was weird how abysmal their acting was though, especially compared to how astonishingly good the acting was in the rest of the show

[@beeohbee]

@@Ben-oi6kz Yeah I assumed it must've been because the production team struggled to get decent foreign actors, or simply they were more lax with it because it's harder for them to tell how good they are, I dunno I imagine a similar thing happens when English production teams hire foreign actors for their works - the foreigners probably cringe at our portrayal lol

[@denverbritto5606]

@@beeohbee It's probably easier to get good foreign actors in America cause it's more multiracial and multicultural than Korea is.

[@paradoxzee6834]

Keep in mind all major investor rejected the show maybe he made VIP assholes just to represent how he felt about the investors that rejected him

[@janlet627]

**SPOILERS** Their real life situations mirror their death in the game. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Ali stole his employer's envelope full of money (to provide for his family)/ His marbles were stolen. Sae-byeok held a knife to the broker's next (after throwing hot coffee on him)/ she died by getting her throat cut, Sang-woo was about to kill himself in the bathtub while wearing a nice suit/He killed himself wearing a tux, Deok-su jumpped off a bridge to escape the gangsters who were going to kill him/ He fell off the glass Hopscotch bridge with help from Mi-nyeo. A woman who was out to get even with him. Someone made a good point that the way some people get out of a lower economic class and forget where they came from when they make it to the upper class was well represented by The Front Man. Season 2 should be the story of the Front Man and how his character's morals were corrupted by the game. The "Il-nam is his father" came up because When Gi-hun asked for chocolate milk, Il-nam said his son couldn't drink plain milk and he used to beat him (it is a stretch). If you pay attention in red light/green light, Il-nam (and any one close to him is NOT highlighted in green when they scan the players for movement, in tug-o-war HE HAS NO LOCKS ON HIS SHACKLES, he was not chained to the rope like the other players. Before marbles he sat in a corner on purpose so he wouldn't be selected and would be removed from the game. Mi-nyeo messed that up by making herself the player NOBODY wanted to partner with...which explains why she was placed back in the room unharmed.

[@justkiingza3928]

Yall smart as hell man

[@MiKen877]

If you look at the shot after they all fall down after the rope is cut, he does indeed have shackles on his hands.

[@robinaraven3943]

@@MiKen877 He has shackles but there aren't locks on his. They have to keep up appearances for his safety from the other players.

[@idontuploadanym0re]

one of the best parts of the show is that Gi-Hun is an actually likeable protagonist!

[@everglowblink9805]

My mom never cared for asian dramas. When I asked her to watch this series with me, she rolled her eyes but agreed. We binged the entire series in a day; she fell in love with the characters, held my hand as we watched the games, and cried when her favourite character was killed. After we finished, she apologized for ever denying me to watch a drama with me, and asked if we could watch another drama together.

[@nikichae]

My mom wouldnt watch it with me even though I tell her its not too violent. Lucky your mom was ok with blood!

[@MadDunhill]

which drama did you watch next?

[@sanjidhossin591]

Korean movies are also great.....

[@speakupyt4900]

"Squid Game" Became The Most Watched Show in Netflix's History-- 10/15/2021 "Squid Game" Become The Most Watched Show in KZbin's History-11/10/2021 *Squid Game" surpassed the best US HBO drama "Game of Thrones" accumulated for 10 years in KZbin views in just 8 weeks with 17 Billion Views .-11/10/202

[@speakupyt4900]

‘Squid Game’: Dystopian at its best---Boston University Squid Game~ Their determination was so realistic and rooted in problems that we face as a society today. Even though this show is dystopian, it felt as if I were looking into a mirror. Every drive and motivation was authentic and genuine. Nothing felt forced. What also stood out to me about the show was the atmosphere. Every show has a certain ambiance to it that makes it distinctive in its own way. “Squid Game” did just that. It had a chilling aesthetic to it - one that looked calm and peaceful on the outside but hid darker secrets beneath its facade. Every episode had something sinister to it, but it was never revealed in the opening minutes. This show’s range of emotion still blows my mind whenever I think about it. One minute I was laughing. The next, I was on the edge of my seat. By the end, I was a sobbing mess. But what made me fall in love with this show was how human it made me feel. Throughout the series, some moments are driven by such cruelty and greed and elicit such deep rage. All you can do is sit there and wonder how in the world someone has the capacity for such evil. It pushes the limits for both the viewers and the characters and puts one overarching question into perspective: how far will you go for money? This is a work of bleak, honest art. It doesn’t hold back, which is something I can fully appreciate. Violence, madness and brutality are all treated as frightening symbols that are never censored. There were definitely moments where I felt extremely uncomfortable - that’s only further evidence of how special this show is. I can say with full confidence this was one of the best series I’ve watched this year. That’s saying a lot, considering how obsessed I was with the Marvel Studios’ TV shows like “WandaVision” and “Loki,” but “Squid Game” exceeded all my expectations and made me hungry for more content. To me, a show is a cinematic masterpiece when I finish it and am left feeling an emptiness that just screams: ‘what do I do with my life now?’ Well, it’s been over a week, and I’m still feeling that hollowness. If that doesn’t pay tribute to the phenomenon that is this show, then I don’t know what will. Go stream “Squid Game” on Netflix. That is an order. And trust me, it’s an order you’ll want to follow. Open your laptop, prepare a few snacks and get a giant jug of water to rehydrate yourself after you bawl until you can’t breathe. I’m so excited for you. Happy crying.

[@armyrevaluv6889]

Your usage of violet evergarden OST 😂 I do love the song “never coming back”

[@Yulises]

Not in this video, but can’t forget about “The Voice in my Heart” 😌 That whole soundtrack is so good

[@armyrevaluv6889]

@@Yulises yessss 😩

[@talaabuzannad9090]

I was going to cry trying to remember where I heard the melody before, thank you

[@armyrevaluv6889]

@@talaabuzannad9090 🥺the song is very sad indeed

[@ammarajam8278]

Where is it played?

[@lizabialik1]

If Sae Byeok won, she *might've* still felt it was worth it. I think we needed the victor to feel totally empty upon returning home.

[@rommelflores2618]

The rise of Korea it is slowly becoming the epicenter of entertainment hub and this series will be the talk of the town for some time.

[@muckman2673]

This is why I love the show so much, I have never been angry at a character because of their actions but this show made me so mad at the main characters childhood friend but at the end when he said I’m sorry and killed himself it made me so sad this show has so much control on what we think of characters

[@KansaSCaymanS]

Agree with your assessment of the VIPs. I don’t know why, but the American or English speaking actors hired in K-dramas are almost always bad amateurs.

[@yavantii3615]

​@Josh Kang True, but the fact that these characters still exists is a minus for the series. The directors should've just erased the VIPs from the plot, given that they were not important to the story anyway and also given that they did not have the sufficient actors to use on these roles. Had the VIPs not existed, then we wouldn't be critiquing them. But since they are there, we have to talk about them.

[@angelic252]

@@yavantii3615 I actually enjoyed seeing them ,so I'd rather not have them and what their plot point shows removed just because we're cringing a little. They played the entitled, well-read and cultured but ultimately shallow and borderline sociopathic nihilists pretty decently imo. Not at the same level as the korean actors. not at all, but it wasn't unwatchable, and it was necessary.

[@naurrrre]

what’s “American speaking” actors? lmao

[@salp.5882]

@@naurrrre im assuming English speakers with American accents

[@davidc.]

Ah yes i speak American guys

[@catsinwonderland7473]

I was fighting back tears when sae-byok pushed 240 against the wall while crying…. Because the acting just so damn good in that scene…

[@Donnerwamp]

Yeah, Sae-Byeoks death was totally unnecessary, illogical and undeserved, yet I kinda understand why she had to die. For the kind guy that wins yet loses everything to win, she has to die. Valid plot decission, it dien't ruin the show and the end was mostly good. But having her survive the whole ordeal would've been an amazing twist, the depicted main character dies off and a sidecharacter from the main cast would take over and win. The final message would change, sure, but "Fighting for family is important" or something like that is also a valid message to depict.

[@Karimasu100]

Also, as some have pointed, Sang Woo killed her so that they would not be able to vote to end the game as the majority. At the end, Sang Woo killed himself as he believed that it was better for someone to leave with all the money rather than none

[@radiofloyd2359]

I don't think her death was illogical. If we take it at face value, the point would be to show that the system doesn't care if someone who manages to make it through the finish line makes it in a way that is still going to make them die. It reinforces the central theme of our modern capitalist society being totally unjust, while pretending to be something anyone can win at.

[@RandomUserX99]

if she's supposed to be the winner, than the actor who played Gi-Hun would have been changed. They won't need a big name like him. The girl who played Sae won't be the same since she's a first time model turned actor.

[@Donnerwamp]

@@radiofloyd2359 Her death was illogical from the perspective of those that made the game. Why would they blast the planes of glass, risking that all winners would be gravely injured and therefore nobody wins? The same message could be achieved in a less stupid way, like having her trip on the last jump and braking an ankle or something. Also the fact that Sang Woo gives her the final blow gets more meaning by that, she's more than saveable with a broken limb than with a giant piece of glass in her guts, she's already so close to death that I doubt she could be saved at all.

[@Donnerwamp]

@@RandomUserX99 Huh, didn't know he's a big name over there. But this fact makes the twist of killing him off instead even better in my opinion.

[@sebastienbolduc5654]

I love how they used fencing masks for the pink dudes. Simple but freak'n unique idea in costume design.

[@varietyvidssentertainment]

You should watch this Squid Game video too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/inTMlpxoqrp_gKc

[@rsdfamily]

Saddest deaths: Ali’s betrayed by Sang-Woo Sang-Woo stabbing Sae-Byeok Sae-Byeok’s friends death ALL OF THE DEATHS IN THIS ENTIRE SHOW 😭 Also don’t forget II-Nam. But, you know…

[@devinixm8235]

2and 6 were the darkest episodes

[@missawsum4918]

the old guys "death" was really sad too

[@iameloho718]

Wow he had this idea in 2008. That’s what you call ahead of your time.

[@caseycaulley2887]

I watch your videos! Your so gorgeous and so intelligent. 🥰

[@yportne6410]

When they showed Gi-hun's entrance picture at the end it was a great comparison between the man who entered the show and the one who left it. He smiled so honestly for that picture and at the end he was emotionally broken, incapable of feeling joy. Also Il-nam being 001 and Gi-hun - 456 could be the person most likely to survive - Il-nam knows everything about the games and the Front man makes sure he has better chances, and the person least likely to make it - Gi-hun is just too good of a person to survive in such a place.

[@devinixm8235]

So I would be player 455?

[@toringaming723]

I usually hate shows as the cinematography is always weak, the acting can be bland and the writing is boring but squid game was on another level. The acting was top tier and the writing was so unpredictable and the suspense was unreal and the cinematography was genuinely amazing and soundtrack is also amazing. By far the greatest show I’ve ever scene.

[@thinkingphoenix297]

My man sounds like you don't watch good shows lmao

[@lioreubm677]

It was predictable at times but it was still good

[@inverzional6372]

absolutely not. but still very good.

[@mwoods4608]

Breaking Bad enters the chat

[@Iamkrogan07]

Even though the games where quite short they felt like they went on forever because of how tense they where

[@Mars_over_seer]

I don’t hate Sung Woo for the same reason people think. I hate him for this. Sung Woo: Gi Hun… Gi-Hun: Yeah? Sung Woo: Never mind. Like bra, why’d you even say anything? Then he does it again. Sung Woo: Gi Hun… Gi-Hun: Yeah? Sung Woo: Never mind.

[@Galactic123]

I think it was showing his inner struggle to be a good person. He lost that struggle for his soul right there, and he became basically a villain after that.

[@Violent_Wolfen]

@@Galactic123 I'd by that if it didn't happen in anime all the time where someone does that right before something bad happens for over 20 years.

[@pnsmexico]

Man I teared up when noticing just how much Koreans love and respect their mothers, and the elderly in general---something that westerners and Europeans don't normally do.

[@melteddarkchocolate000]

Tbh...

[@Naisiah]

Who else got so sad for Ali and the girl who let 67 win I almost cried low key

[@Bunny11344]

I cried so hard when she did that for the other girl.. and when the old man died

[@sexydaph1872]

I couldn’t be sad for Ali. Cause how could you be so dumb???

[@Naisiah]

@@sexydaph1872 I agree he was dumb for giving is marbles to sang woo in a life or death game but, he was so kind and i was rooting for him ngl

[@Bmayo27]

The crying was not low-key on my end. I feel like I owe an apology to my neighbors. ….for those who have seen the American version of The Office, Dwight Schrute’s howls of sadness ain’t got nothing on me!!

[@afk1225]

@@sexydaph1872 I wouldnt say he was dumb more like he was too trusting But Lets agree to disagree

[@Smithworks2]

I disagree wholeheartedly regarding the winner. The man who won the game is the RIGHTFUL winner: Seong Gi- hun He is the rightful winner because he had a HIGHER conscious more than the average person. He was looking out for others welfare and well being, while the young lady had concern for her brother's life. She had no real thoughts outside of that until she met the young girl that sacrificed her life for her (because of the brother). The protagonist (the affable lead character) had an impassioned cause especially after meeting up with the old man at the end of the series. He became impassioned when he saw a player on the subway station and his recruiter and he warned him and turned his back on meeting with his daughter in the US, only to go back into the games with his righteous indignation toward the games. She would have simply taken the prize money and got her brother and moved on. The Higher calling won over, many simple people are placed in extraordinary circumstances to make extraordinary changes in impossible situations.

[@silenthero2795]

There was an interview when some cast were asked who was the most memorable character and they either answered Sang Woo or Il-nam which both are ironically hated by most people. It is their weaknesses and flaws that make them the most human, and therefore memorable, out of all of them.

[@lilmario0]

Spoiler/ Life advice People like Ali often don't survive in real life and are often stepping stones for more ambitious people who are focused on their goals. Being nice doesn't guarantee you success. You need to set boundaries, and trust and lookout for yourself and immediate family first or you will be fked over like Ali.

[@commentbot9510]

Like how Saw-Byeok kept her distance and stayed neutral, only being friendly when it benefited her.

[@JuanCarlosSanchez-oo3sz]

And that's the sad truth about life, one thing is to be nice and polite but people need to learn to set boundaries and learn to say "No", especially to people who take advantage of their kindness.

[@myself2noone]

This is statisticly untrue, depending on what you mean by success. But let's say it's true it stands to reason that you should forgive people there evil actions as it's in there nature.

[@seatheparade]

I think the best approach is the way Sae Byeok was after opening up to Ji Yeong, she was open enough to befriend Gi Hun & Ji Yeong but not naive, she never trusted Sang woo and didn't reveal her vulnerability to those she didn't know. Unfortunately the glass shard did her in, so she didn't get to continue on after her character development

[@Kaliosthesecond]

The saddest truth...

[@machi-full-of-coffee]

I think even if sae byeok didn't get wounded they'd still have to fight after the dinner that's why they were given knives. It'll still be one on one in the final game. Maybe they made it that way to further show how heartless sang woo has become.

[@FionaA17]

Yep. I believe regardless of her wounding she would have died. Not because they wanted a 1 vs 1 in squid game but because his character development and gi hun’s character development were reaching a peak. Sae byeok’s had already peaked and hence there wasn’t much for her to give.

[@maskedartist8489]

to add to the fact you dont think hes actually dead, i agree. i dont believe a character's dead unless theres a body- i feel like thats just a rule of thumb "no body no death"

[@cryopex9976]

I really liked him aswell, probably my 3rd fav character. He was handsome, cool, had a cool storyline and he cant die like that, i’ll lie myself to tell myself that

[@bastardhyena7882]

The second season will be absolutely sick with him. He was such a badass character, he was a real get-to-the-bottom kind of cop.

[@jamychal2]

There's way too much fanservice for Sae-Byeok. She's a great character but the Main Character was an amazing story, and I loved the way they approached it. He's a good person and the games broke him, now he's decided to do something about the game.

[@williamhobbs4202]

Yeah Gi Hun and Sang Woo were more complex and interesting characters imo, I thought it made sense that she was killed off by Sang Woo though I didn’t like the glass explosion bit

[@saramatthews7159]

I agree she was a great character but way too overhyped

[@AnoushkaRoy]

Please gihun is too overrated. Sangwoo is a complex character and was neutrally evil. Gihun had no talent, except pure dumb luck and moving forward because of others. In any other fair circumstance he wouldn't even stand a chance. He was shown as this pure untainted moral God when he was just a hypocrite. He was a shitty father, shitty son, gambling addict (his debt was his own dumb fault so I didn't feel bad for him nor sangwoo) and also just a talker. He called out sangwoo for killing when hw literally did the same to the old man to win. If sangwoo didn't kill the man on the bridge he was going to die. He wasn't even going to make the first game where Ali saved him. The bridge where Saebyeok helped him. He had no cleverness or anything required to win the games. Saebyeok wanted literally one thing and that was for him to take care of his brother and this dumbass did after a whole year while the boy was just wondering where tf his sister went. And in the name of taking care, he literally just gave him to sangwoo's mother(?!!!) with money as if that was enough done for saebyeok and sangwoo both. And when he finally got the chance to actually be a good father to his daughter, he just... doesn't. He turns back. Gihun is the worst main character I've seen.

[@AnoushkaRoy]

Also saebyeok deserved to win because her death seemed way out of place. Like a glass piece really? She was wearing a jacket. How did it go and stab her under the jacket in the stomach? It was done only to push the childhood friends together and their idealogies. Her problem was not her fault(unlike gihun and sangwoo), she was smart, clever, alert, focused and not trusting anybody (unlike Ali). And yet she still had humanity and a sense to play fair unlike sangwoo. So she was the most deserving character

[@jamychal2]

@@AnoushkaRoy he had compassion. He helped people. The video literally says that. Quit your simping

[@janicellanes5671]

Gi hun is the main character to reflect that human have good and bad in him. but goodness should still preceded evil. The girl is more likely pure and innocent at heart. So she can't be the main character. The last episode shows how Gi Hun is the perfect one.

[@nintendold]

in Brazil, the final title was still Round 6 lmao (probably because of our ex-president Lula, which literally means "squid" in Portuguese)

[@Bee-ol1xr]

I was so confused with the entire internet talking about a squid and dalgona candy game that it took me a while to sit down and watch. but I heard they titled Round 6 cause it sounded more enticing than "Squid Game" (which I agree). also, FOR SURE people here would make it political, but I have to say, it would be hilarious to watch people being this stupid and supposedly canceling their account over it

[@nintendold]

@@Bee-ol1xr I still think that "Squid Game" sounds mote interesting than "Round 6" to someone without the context of what the show is, but to each their own, right? Also now I really wish it had been called "Campo de Lula" LMAO

[@denverbritto5606]

lmao didn't know lula meant squid. President Squid would make for some great jokes.

[@nintendold]

@@denverbritto5606 it surprisingly barely comes up, but the main one I know is, because our words for "the people" (povo) and "octopus" (polvo) are similar, and also because squids and octopuses are kindof similar animals, and also also because we have a popular saying that goes "a voz do povo é a voz de Deus" (the voice of the people is the voice of God), people will sometimes say "the voice of squid(Lula) is the voice of God" sarcastically if they want to criticize someone for blindly following him. But it's not all that common, like, at all.

[@hngtng1]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing the fact. Didn't know it until today.

[@cosmicspacething3474]

Honestly I thought the actual protagonist was going to die and the one who was killed at the end was going to be the new one seeing as they were starting to focus equally on all the characters. Having multiple Protagonists would’ve been cool.

[@denverbritto5606]

that would have been dark AF if they killed him and Sang Woo beat Sae Byok in the final.

[@leftofyou]

No one had to die on the glass bridge if the first person had tied themselves to a jacket and the one behind them held onto it, the second person could possible pull up the first from a broken tile, since the safe tiles can hold two people.

[@radiofloyd2359]

The VIPs would get bored and some bullshit new rule would be made up to appease them

[@razordu30]

They would have just changed something. The actual point wasn't to have a competition, it was to entertain bored rich people. Probably they'd shoot the person that broke through the glass and *remind* the players that the rules state that those who break through the glass are eliminated.

[@christinalalsawmzuali7859]

Love your brain tho😭💕

[@leftofyou]

It would be great to see the game in other seasons where no one playing has any plot armor. It would be great to see someone try my idea, only to pull down the person behind them with them, or for the person behind the jumper, to just let go of jacket if the glass breaks to save their own balance. They each had a couple of shoes with them too. The rules said to remove their shoes, but didn't state they had to leave them behind. I like the idea of people getting further in things by working together. Imagine if 10 people to the final game and they all chose offense, or all but one chose offense. I hope these same games are explored more in later seasons because there is so much more the show can do with each one.

[@christinalalsawmzuali7859]

@@leftofyou true plus if I was a VIP that show of brain would incaptivate me more than some people jumping and falling All I know is if I'm stuck in a survival game I'm sticking to you xD

[@robkoh8452]

Totally agree with the “american” actors. Korean films/ dramas are notorious for hiring b rated European actors for these types of roles. Cringe….

[@vaccinatedanti-vaxxer]

If you ever seen english conversation skits in educational videos in Asia, it's the same bad, cheesy, tacky acting. I think koreans just hire English teachers or American expats no necessarily professional establish actors. I think these american actors would get hired for movie roles after doing these educational videos.

[@peachjuice3453]

Tbh it's not just in Korean films, this is extremely common in Hollywood movies when they have characters speak foreign languages that's not english

[@beautyan5309]

I believe those actors fit there roles perfectly

[@Bunny11344]

It’s okay I’m not watching it for the Americans

[@bh1746]

🤷‍♂️ English speaking actors (even bad ones) want way too much money, especially for production that isn't based in US/Europe.

[@ghostofvalor4349]

in the korean version it's translated as "it was an honor being your partner," what Ji-yeong says.

[@bh1746]

Nope, she says "고마워. 나랑 같이 해줘서." Which translates to "Thanks... for [playing] with me."

[@yulissamacias8727]

I love the acting and soundtrack. If I turn off subtitles and no dubbing I still can understand what’s pretty much going on.

[@eitak12334]

25:43 your bias *is* showing. it is *because* sae-byuk's character arc ended and gi-hun's arc has yet to complete that he's still alive, not the other way around

[@mohdhamza770]

Sang woo was actually very well written and acted.

[@SwiftlySev]

fun fact:the actor for sae-byeok kept crying at the scene with marbles,and because the scene where sae-byeok asks ji-yeong to join her was filmed after,they were genuinely holding in a cry at that scene.

[@stevenbrown1762]

Going into the show I was of the mindset to just test it out, didn't think it was all that going in but after the 1st episode I was too invested to stop. It has completely changed my mind on the show

[@31webseries]

Oh wow, I didn't think of that "literally stepping over the bodies of the players who died so you could live thing." Nice touch. And yes the design was incredible! But why do some people make a big deal about Gi-Hun not doing anything for a year? He was drowning in trauma. Not just from the games and watching people die all around him (he was already having flashbacks duting the games so it kind of hinted at how bad off he was going to be by the end) and survivor's guilt but then to come home and find his mother died alone on the floor? Are you kidding me? To go through all that with no friends or family to pull him out of it, a year can go by like one really long god damn horrible day. Believe me, I've been, well not there, but I get it. The card, seeing Il-Nam again, it was the something different, the something that made him feel anything again even if it was anger and betrayal that he needed to wake him up from that numb auto-pilot state that you can so easily fall into after trauma.

[@nikichae]

Like the other players killed other for their benefits, Gihoon had been stealing from mom, gambled with her money, which eventually killed her because she couldnt afford treatment.

[@31webseries]

@@nikichae Yeah it actually took me awhile to warm up to his character.

[@NaFran49]

Because people like to have a "happy ending" where everything goes back to where it should be and "everything is alright" even after pointless death, destruction and extreme poverty. I think the show ending is perfectly in consonance with the show's narrative.

[@minimarsbars]

@@nikichae The point of him finding his mother dead on the floor after winning enough money to save her life was that it was his actions that had essentially killed her. He had cancelled their medical insurance and he was gambling the little money they both earned in their respective jobs which forced her to work more. But she obviously still loved him enough to let him live in her house and he obviously loved her enough to risk his life winning cash to support and treat her diabetes. That’s why her dying alone without giving them both any closure is so heartbreaking and makes it even more understandable why Gi-hun was so utterly despondent for a year.

[@badraccoon333]

The people complaining he did nothing for a year have never gone through genuine trauma. I had been through traumas, severe ones, but 2020 broke me as a person. Some very bad things happened, some due to my own actions. That guilt, trauma, and loss..... it lead me to a deep depression where I did absolutely nothing for a year and 2 months. Nothing. I went from being fit to obese, gaining 30 pounds. I literally broke out in psoriasis as a result of the stress, my hair was along and unkempt, I was beyond broke, deep in depbt. My hygiene horrible, not showing for a couple weeks at a time. I was filthy, uncared for, fat, useless and abusing drugs and alcohol. Much like the main character, only after a psychological breakthrough and a friend of mine offering me a job, did I begin to change my place in life. I also have a new hairstyle. I lost weight, showered and cleaned up, and now have a new overriding goal in life. The people bitching.... they don't understand yet.

[@Towkeeyoh]

I've watched many many SG analysis/essay videos, but this is the most well put together one. You cover so much details, info and opinion, and so we'll edited!

[@clintonhill3999]

I had to take a break after episode 6. You hit it on the head, everything leads to episode 6 and by god does it rip your heart out. When Il nam gave up his marbles I was a wreck. I had the truth about him spoiled by a friend who thought I’d finished the series but when you can KNOW he lives and still get broken by his fake death. That’s the strong character building that I wasn’t expecting from this series.

[@varietyvidssentertainment]

I see you like Squid Game. You won’t want to miss this one too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/inTMlpxoqrp_gKc

[@alberteinstein3612]

I love Sang-Woo, and here’s why: He demonstrated the essentiality of looking out for yourself in a life or death scenario. He survived until the final game because of his tactics, he is living proof that smarts beats brain any day in a survival situation. Also, he demonstrated the extent to which humans can be deceitful. If a human is threatened with death, they will do ANYTHING to stay alive, including killing other people. He is living proof of the assertion that in a survival situation, that you CANNOT trust other people, unless if you’re forced to play with other people to survive. Other than that, you CANNOT trust ANYONE because they may have bad intentions for you, like Sang-Woo

[@divyayadvandu2389]

I just want to point out when he mentioned glass shattering scene....its actually important because it is to tell the viewers that thier was time limit as well like the other games...and all the participants have to complete that game within the time frame otherwise all die.also nobody talks about that man who knew how to distinguish between the glasses strength. He didn't open his mouth until the situation was brought upon him. Shattering all glasses with blast is important.

[@varietyvidssentertainment]

You should watch this Squid Game video too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/inTMlpxoqrp_gKc

[@NemeanCreates]

Please do a per episode analysis! That would be fantastic series to watch through. Don't just tease that you could do one for each ;D

[@sparaticdraws]

Between the marbles deaths, ji yeong is the worst (saddest) for me for two reasons, one I know I’d do the same thing for someone I care about and two I know nobody would do the same for me. And they happily would’ve died for each other.

[@ok1345]

Sae byeok actually started crying after the clip.

[@christianalanmendoza6191]

This is the best reaction i watched, especially he is talking with the soundtrack and i felt it more..

[@mjjjuseyib4504]

I was watching Squid Games for 3 days and the only thing I dreamed about was Sae Byeok and Gihun staying alive, so when Gihun offered her to team up I was so happy and then she died, that really went so hard for me. I also cried during whole Episode 6, that is iconic episode that will forever remain in everyone's soul. Squid Game shows how you change your personality when your life is under the risk, how the kindest person (Ali) can be used for someone's benefit, how the small, random thing can end the life of strong person (Sae Byeok) and many more. It literally shows whole life and feelings in terms of games from childhood. Well done, this movie will change everyone who watched it and will be considered as classic soon.

[@KawaiiKatarina]

Actually, I believe that Il-Nam would have given his marbles to anyone, no matter how good or bad they were. The reason for that is because the following game required guessing and luck in order to pass, and even assuming that Il-Nam knew which glass tiles to step on, there was still the risk of tripping or being pushed by the others, which was out of the control of the guards. My assumption is that every time Il-Nam reached the marble game in the previous years that he played, he would not get picked by anyone (since most people don't want an old man as a partner), and he would be announced as eliminated as to not continue to the next game. While the case was not the same this time, and he had to give away his marbles in order to get himself eliminated and avoid the dangerous game that was out of his control that followed. Edit: Since this is also just a show, it's entirely possible that the writers didn't consider what would happen if Il-Nam reached the glass stepping game and my theory is completely irrelevant. They might have also planned to remove the character before it because they realized the risk of the glass game, but didn't specifically want to make his elimination something like a master plan by the people running the games.

[@jennifermoriarty2188]

They imply this is his first game played in show. But yes he would of given marbles willing

[@KatherinaBathory]

Hahahaha when the Americans arrived I thought "ok, so they just grabbed any Americans they could find in Korea and throw them in here" hahahahaha. Otherwise, the show is perfect xD

[@amusingfollower]

Yo Fang, I'm only halfway into your video at this writing but you have captured so beautifully the heart's soundings of the characters. Would totally love to hear how you saw each episode individually if you ever decided to do that. Keep up the amazing content!

[@Alice-im3sq]

That Angel Beats' soundtrack moment really caught me off guard😭

[@Babewhat]

Sae-Byeok’s death to me was more of a commentary (intentional or not) about how certain people, even when they succeed, are immediately cut down because of who they are. She was a woman, thus she is hindered before she could really become something. Those of us like her connect with her because of that.

[@vinayakh7940]

Intersectional feminist spotted.

[@Babewhat]

@@vinayakh7940 I mean, considering the social commentary the show already has its not a stretch? It’s not just about the commentary on women, but on the elderly, generational disparity, marital economic issues, economic morality- gender commentary was what I used in the context of the subject, not the point of the comment🤷‍♀️

[@shadowspector3611]

Ah yes. I loved playing that glass game as a kid. I was a champion, pushing everyone ahead of me.

[@lightbringer7834]

I'm an American who lived in SK for many years and I have to compliment you on not only an excellent analysis, but your pronunciation was pretty good :) (no I'm not fluent btw)

[@temjin44]

Really good insight and analysis. Been two weeks since watching, and still think about the show. So mind numbing.

[@realGBx64]

I just listened to the analysis of a psychiatrist and he said that the sacrifice the girl makes is not really in selfishness, but matches a pattern of ptsd where people with ptsd are suicidal due to feeling themselves as not a full person

[@v.anessa1451]

it could be both. clearly she hadn't sacrificed herself for anyone yet or purposefully done anything to get herself killed even though she easily could have in previous challenges. people can be suicidal but not want to die for just anything/anyone

[@minimarsbars]

Was that the one on KZbin? I had to turn that video off after he reduced Gi-hun’s character arc to degenerate gambler who couldn’t escape the cycle, which completely ignored his backstory and the trauma he suffered. I thought it was just bizarre that that was his take.

[@realGBx64]

@@minimarsbars yeah that one. Sure. He simplified a lot I guess, but it was interesting for me.

[@nk2012]

Sangwoo switch flipped after he almost committed suicide. He turns evil. Doenst help Gi Hun in game 2 etc

[@SwoleakhulTheBlind]

How am I getting teary eyed again while just watching a breakdown of episode 6 man 😭

[@varietyvidssentertainment]

You should watch this Squid Game video too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/inTMlpxoqrp_gKc

[@MacrosFTW]

Thanks for breaking down all the thoughts I had about the series. Hope you can do an analysis of each individual episode!

[@buddhathegod]

Huh? Sang-Woo showed his true colors quite early. He figured out the second game, knew the triangle shape was the easiest and sent people to their death. Gi-Hun suggested they all stick together and choose the same shape, but Sang-Woo, learning that the money would go up for each dead participant, instead convinced the others that they should split up. He convinces people through reasoning and uses his position of being the "smart" one for others to follow suit, and while his reasoning is sound in general scenarios, he already very well knows what one should do. An educated guess is good to follow, unless you already know the right answer. I also don't think the guard should've accepted his manipulation of Ali. A game is only a game while both participants are aware of the framework of rules. Sure, he didn't use violence, but he sure didn't win by playing a game. It was just a bit too pushed to fit his narrative of manipulation.

[@reinebautistamercado4286]

He didn't realise what the honeycomb game was until after they had already chosen a shape. He only realised when Gihun was about to choose the umbrella. He only betrayed Gihun intentionally, not the others.

[@Smithworks2]

This all had to happen to lead up to Seong Gi- hun winning the game (the character with the greater cause)

[@sophieamandaleitontoomey9343]

We all knew Sang Woo was shady. They told us he stole from his clients and his mother.

[@julianasilveira4806]

Episode 6 had me sobbing. I fully agree that it is the best one!

[@varietyvidssentertainment]

You should watch this Squid Game video too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/inTMlpxoqrp_gKc

[@arcaderabbit7788]

Watching the first episode with my friend again and seeing how squid game is meant to be played between two TEAMS made me so mad. Sae byeok's death was so unfair and dumb. She won the other games, so she shouldn't have died.

[@Babewhat]

I saw her death as a commentary on how the game isn’t fair. How even when people succeed, they can still be unfairly shot down. It’s like how women are undermined in society when they start to gain power- she too was unfairly killed. It makes sense, narratively

[@NaFran49]

@@Babewhat Exactly. I think it's crazy how many people are arguing that her death (or anything in the games really) wasn't really fair. Yeah, that's the point of the show!!

[@frankh.5378]

Wonderful analysis. Two thumbs up!

[@Samantha__420]

Episode 6 had me absolutely balling. BALLING!! I’m even crying as I watch this omg.

[@botortamas]

The best series/movies are the ones that you go into cold and unconvinced of what to expect especially if it’s foreign and you come out totally sucked in and hooked on it. This was definitely that for me. This is a phenomenon not just a series it’s gripping and captivating. I loved it all throughout but the ending was a bit weak. The last game was pretty disappointing compared to the rest. Basically came down to a squabble between 2 guys. That and the fact that after going through all that what person in their right mind wouldn’t of gotten on the plane to depart for a new life especially after so many broken promises to your child. So the last game and him not getting on the plane and as you pointed out having the north Korean girl injured by the exploding glass were my only complaints. Otherwise this series nailed it. Finally something worth the hype.

[@LizardKingRequiem]

I was just about to comment about the glass explosion but im glad you said it because it’s so true, it comPLETELY goes against all that lip service about fAiRnESs 🙄🙄🙄

[@MyAura]

Glass needs to break somehow when the timer ends so people don’t stay chilling on the glass panels after the timer ends lol and they won’t have the guards go on the glass because they could get pushed off

[@LizardKingRequiem]

@@MyAura not in the case where they all are past the bridge already

[@MyAura]

@@LizardKingRequiem that’s a good point but to me, the entire competition wasn’t fair to begin with. It’s just an illusion of fairness when in fact, the entire game is solely for the rich people’s entertainment. For instance, the lack of food (1 egg and a soda), killing each other at night without stopping them… those weren’t even part of the 6 games.

[@arcaderabbit7788]

@@MyAura I completely expected all the glass to just be dropped or for the entire thing to drop or be flipped off

[@radiofloyd2359]

That's the point. The games aren't fair: natural advantages such as strength and intelligence are unaccounted for, while natural advantages such as expertise are inexplicably neutralized. A person can absolutely seduce or manipulate their way into a win, but a person is not allowed to put their knowledge into practice... There's also the fact that every single one of those games is also simultaneously dependent on luck (specially because you don't know the game beforehand)... The point of the games (and the glass shatter) is to really hit home that what matters is the illusion of fairness, not the actual fairness of the games.

[@mikaylag4233]

Sang-Woo is not really an evil person but is just morally gray. His mentality is do anything to survive even if it means stepping over his friends' corpse. He is probably the closest to what being human is. Humans can be either good or bad and neither good or bad. We are gray area. We do what we have to do to survive. Even Gi-Hun became morally gray during marble game. The only pure good soul is Ali, though in the same token is also the dumbest that is why he died. This show has so much colors that reflect morality in humanity. SO good.

[@LynneJordan11]

Love this well thought out analysis of character, motivations and art directions!

[@allandm]

If I could pick the winner I'd have gone for the north Korean girl for sure!

[@xjgav]

“As long as there is a concept of victors, the vanquished will also exist…”

[@Alonkis251]

Nice quote, who you quote?

[@xjgav]

@@Alonkis251 Madara Uchiha

[@doprie.]

people need to talk more about ji-yeong her character was great and the only thing i didn't like was not seeing more of her in the show

[@astraeanatsuki3231]

I only cried at her characters death, I mean I felt emotional at everyone’s death but her death was the most impactful and brought tears, she had nothing to live for... I think that was the saddest part cause at least the others had something to hold onto, something to fight for but she was so alone...ahh it still hurts! Also I find it Interesting that they made her characters abusive father an extremely so called religious person, cause hating him made her hate religion too and often for lonely people at least thinking their is someone looking out for them, you know god is still a sort of hope and relief, she didn’t even have that! So sad

[@doprie.]

@@astraeanatsuki3231 i related to her father story and thats also a reason i'm not religious myself, i dont hate religion but i dont like it and i related to her character so much in that aspect. i cried too LMAO prolly too much when she died but her death had meaning and i really enjoyed the episodes we had her in :(

[@sangn8062]

The english dub was pretty good, the marble episode showed a lot of emotional to me, till the twist made it

[@FionaA17]

As someone who is usually on the dub train and watches all my anime in dub, I have to say that live action is better in subbed. And its clear, the english actirs arent there on set, its harder for them to really get into character and understand what they are doing and how the scene works and with a live action, this is crucial as it’s real people so we expect real and authentic reactions. I am not however one of the snobs who think that dubbed is for losers because everyone has their preference and some people find it difficult to watch with subtitles. I just think that if you can watch with subtitles you may as well because you get the full essence and package with the original