The Netflix K-drama, Squid Game, has rapidly gained popularity all over the globe, thanks to its fascinating characters, set designs, and twists that just won't stop coming. As expected, there have been plenty of discussions about the show on all social platforms, with more detailed ones popping up on Reddit.
While the show has been derided by some, it has been heralded by most. Everyone who watched it has a specific thing or two that they are impressed by. Whether it's Gi-hun's co-parenting troubles or Abdul Ali's penchant for thanking people, there's no shortage of things that would make a viewer recommend the dystopian drama.
The Performances Of The Cast
Redditor k-o-v-a-k describes the performances on the show as "The best acting I’ve seen in a long time." They figure the K-drama will one day sit comfortably on the shelf of the greatest TV shows of all time.
Indeed, each actor manages to bolden their character's raw emotions and motivations, making them easy to root for or against. Viewers can't help but admire the elderly and ailing Oh Il-nam's positivity throughout the games only for it to turn out that he is one of the Squid Game staff characters. Jang Deok-su is also the type of low-key antagonist viewers hope can stick around just to see how much more mischief he can be up to. The overall acting quality comes as no shocker since the show is populated with some of the biggest names from the South Korean film industry.
A Fresh Take On The "Deadly Game" Trope
Plots involving people killing each other for the amusement of others have been played out numerous times in TV shows and movies. However, there is away Squid Game offers a fresh take on this trope. As Redditor burgundypants puts it, "Unlike Hunger Games or Battle Royale, these contestants are here voluntarily as a means to better their own lives."
The Redditor is right to point out that in most productions with a "deadly game" plot, the players are normally forced to participate by higher powers rather than do so voluntarily. In the Netflix K-drama, many people are offered the chance to play but only the willing ones can join. Even better is that the game can be terminated if the majority of the contestants vote for such a course of action.
The Classical Music
"The classical and orchestral tunes invoke a sense of forced elegance and refinement," according to SapientiPauken. They explain that Peter Tchaikovsky's smooth-sounding "Serenade For Strings," is mostly used when the players are eating to invoke feelings of calmness while Johann Strauss Jr's "On the Beautiful Blue Danube" is used during the deadly games to create tension.
Given the tense proceedings going on, it might be hard to notice the impressive choice of music. Ordinarily, classical music composed by 18th-century Russian and Austrian musicians would likely be found in a Hollywood blockbuster. The decision to forego K-pop for diverse music might as well be a deliberate attempt to appeal to viewers from different parts of the world and it definitely works.
Fluid Character Development
Redditor SilverBurger states that "the character development feels so much more genuine." As the episodes unfold, it's made clear who they were before and how the current events are changing them.
There's hardly a character that's let down by the plot. Everyone that's given a chance to speak has a goal As their lives become more and more at risk, their perspectives change and so do their fates. For example, Sang-Woo backstabs everyone only for him to make one of the most selfless decisions in Squid Game, allowing Gi-hun to win. And even though some character deaths are heartbreaking, they are essential in keeping the story intriguing.
The “Red Light/Green Light” Set Design
Redditor PlasticPublic1268 appreciates the set design used on The "Red Light/Green Light” scene. They claim, "It was so simple and childish but stayed true to the material it was building up." Most fans appreciated it too, judging from the best Squid Game memes circulating online. The standout thing about the design is the giant doll that spots contestants who fail and has them executed.
It's wise of the producers to use this design in the first episode as it does a great job of hooking the viewers and giving them the collywobbles. Ordinary dolls have been used to prompt scares in horror productions before and the use of a giant one here ups the level of creepiness. The set is also unique since it's in an open field compared to those in other games which happen indoors.
It Provides Great Social Commentary
"Squid Game is a piece of heightened social commentary, showing that people in real life can be really evil," says dolphin37. Many agree that the show plants questions in one's mind, making them wonder what they'd do if they were contestants.
Among the ways the K-drama affirms the state of human nature is by showing that even the most innocent of people are willing to turn on each other when the stakes are high. When it's revealed that contestants are allowed to murder each other, everyone becomes willing to do so in order to keep themselves safe and get the prize money. The greed is also just not on the contestants but on the guards too, some of whom sell body parts to get extra income.
The Twists In The Early Episodes
The twists in the first few episodes are ones that fans loved. Redditor liven96 states, "I enjoyed the early twists, especially II-nam's decision to terminate the games in Episode 2." It's no surprise that this episode sits up the ladder in the IMDb rankings of the best episodes of Squid Game.
There have been a couple of lamentations about how the final episodes turn out but the same can't be said about the first few. When Oh Il-nam is given the deciding termination vote, anyone watching doesn't expect him to choose to end the game since he has a tumor and is ready to die anyway. And judging from similar shows, no one also expects that the contestants will be allowed to leave, no matter the outcome of the vote, but it plays out that way.
It Feels Realistic
In a Reddit thread where users argue why Squid Game is more popular than the similar Japanese show Alice In Borderland, Redditor highwayunicorn21 explains that the K-drama is "more realistic and relatable."
The argument makes much sense since it's impossible for everyone in a city to disappear at once as is the case in Alice In Borderland. However, it's highly likely that a person in debt might be willing to do anything, even if it means killing, in order to get enough money to eradicate their financial woes. It's also probable that a wealthier sadistic person might take advantage of the one in debt.
The Gore Is Tolerable
That the show is heavy on gore hasn't been a problem for most people. Redditor ASEdouard is one person who enjoys the violence, explaining that it's more palatable compare to that of other offerings in the genre. "There’s a bit of gore, but it’s very tame," they add.
The dystopian drama's success has proven that tolerance to gore is largely dependent on how the gore is presented. If it serves no other purpose than to scare and shock, many people are likely to be turned off by it but if there's a goal to it all then the general attitude will be... "let's see what happens."
It Has A Greater Binge Value
Many fans agree that Squid Game is one of the most bing-watchable shows of all time. Redditor phaqxijinping ranks it highly, stating, "I'd say it's among the Top 10 most binge-watchable shows of all time."
Binging has become a preferred method of viewing in recent years, compared to waiting for a new episode each week. However, not every show that serves viewers all episodes of a season at once is addictive. The Netflix K-drama's high stakes, pacing, and twists make the viewer resist the urge to press 'pause."