Did Squid Game Take Inspiration from Real-Life Tragedies?

A Fictional Thriller with Real-Life Echoes?

Netflix’s Squid Game has captivated audiences worldwide with its gripping plot and social commentary. While the show’s intense survival games seem fictional, recent discussions have drawn parallels between the series and real-life events in South Korea. The question arises: Did Squid Game draw inspiration from these tragedies?

The Dark History of South Korea’s Internment Camps

During the 1970s and 1980s, South Korea saw the rise of internment camps, often referred to as “Korea’s Auschwitz.” These camps were part of an effort to “cleanse” society by removing individuals deemed undesirable, such as the homeless, street children, and protestors.

The largest of these camps, Brother’s Home, was originally an orphanage but became infamous for horrifying practices like forced labor, abuse, and torture. Survivors have shared chilling accounts of their experiences.

Han Jong-sun, a survivor of Brother’s Home, recalled his abduction in 1984, saying, “A bus stopped in front of the police substation, and we were forced into the bus. They started beating us, saying that we were too loud.” His story, shared with the BBC, highlights the brutal treatment many endured in these camps.

Economic Struggles and the SsangYong Motor Layoffs

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk has not directly linked Squid Game to the internment camps but has spoken about another real-life tragedy: the SsangYong Motor layoffs.

In 2009, the South Korean automobile company fired over 2,000 employees, leading to widespread protests. The economic fallout pushed many workers into debt, and some even took their own lives. Hwang shared his perspective with AP, stating, “Through the reference to the SsangYong Motor layoffs, I wanted to show that any ordinary middle-class person in the world we live in today can fall to the bottom of the economic ladder overnight.”

While Squid Game is a fictional story, its themes of economic disparity and survival resonate deeply with real-world issues. The show’s ability to reflect societal struggles, both past and present, is one of the reasons for its global success.

The series stars Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, and Wi Ha-jun, with notable appearances by Gong Yoo and new additions like Yim Si-wan and Kang Ha-neul. With its third season set to release in 2025, fans eagerly await what’s next for the dystopian thriller.

Squid Game might not be directly based on real-life events, but the parallels to South Korea’s history and economic challenges are hard to ignore. Whether inspired by these tragedies or not, the show has sparked important conversations about inequality and survival in today’s world.

As we look forward to the next season, it’s worth reflecting on the real stories that may have influenced this fictional masterpiece.