Squid Game has become culturally iconic, and for good reason – it’s become Netflix’s most watched series ever. Here’s reporter Izzy Pareja with the story.
IZZY PAREJA, REPORTER: On September 17, Netflix released Squid Game, one of its newest South Korean drama series with a dystopian twist. Since it’s debut, the show has captured the attention of well over 100 million viewers worldwide, ranking number 1 in over 90 countries across the globe. Viewership only continues to grow as the world remains captivated by main character Gi-hun and his fellow players as they fight for their lives and immense fortune through a series of children’s games. In asking northwestern students if they enjoyed the show and why, Weinberg freshman Keira Embler described how the show managed to pull her in.
KEIRA EMBLER, WCAS ‘25: I did enjoy Squid Game, I thought it was a very entertaining show although somewhat disturbing. I liked the commentary it made on society and the income inequality and capitalism and what not and . . . yeah, I was entertained throughout the entire show.
PAREJA: On the other hand, Mccormick freshman Rebecca Duckett implied that Squid Game had a more mystifying grasp on her, listing different reasons for keeping up with the show.
REBECCA DUCKETT, MCCORMICK ‘25: I did like Squid Game, I mean, I did binge-watch it all in 2 days. I don’t quite know why I liked it, it was just entertaining. I kind of started watching it only because everyone was talking about it and I wanted to know what they were talking about, but watching the show . . . it was kind of like, you know, like a 180 degree—I was not expecting it because I did not know what it was about before I started watching it.
PAREJA: It seems as though many people were attracted to Squid Game not only because of its unique concept, but it’s cinematography as well. Viewers noticed how many scenes were framed to look like famous art pieces, such as the scream by Edvard Munich. When asked about her favorite aspects of the show Mccormick freshman Ellie Lind pointed out the unique appeal of the references hidden in Squid Game’s visuals.
ELLIE LIND, MCCORMICK ‘25: I think the references in it and the general set up of each game they played—it was very satisfying, like pleasing to see. Especially—I forget what reference it is—but the art reference to the stairways. It’s just cool to watch, like the producers did a very good job.
PAREJA: Ducket expressed a similar interest in the show’s visual direction, noting the interesting choice in color pallet.
DUCKET: Oh, and then another thing . . . the bright colors and child-like imagery used versus the really dark and brutal and kind of violent imagery against that scene.
PAREJA: The show touches on a variety of themes, making commentary on the pitfalls of capitalism while taking its audience through an emotional, action-packed plot, which Embler pointed out, seems to be contributing to its great success.
EMBLER: I think it just appeals to a lot of people with different interests, so some people really like the action, other people really like the sort of personal story part of it, other people like the political commentary . . . you know I think it just appeals to a wide group.
PAREJA: Ducket also offered several more possible explanations for why the show became so popular.
DUCKET: I feel like it got popular because—like partially because—everybody else was watching it like so kind of like my reason for watching it is just so I could know what people were talking about, but I think another reason is like the concept. Not a lot of—well I mean, I don’t feel like I’ve watched a lot of shows like it, and then another reason I think is kind of like culturally, I feel like a lot of people really like, you know—it’s not quite like a Kdrama or Kpop or anything—but I think a lot of people have some sort of fascination with Korean culture.
PAREJA: Squid game is one of the many forms of South Korean entertainment to become popular throughout the U.S. and the rest of the world in recent years. Not too long ago in 2020, Director Bong Joon-Ho was awarded for his groundbreaking film “Parasite,” which became the first non-english movie to win best picture in the history of the Oscars. Kpop artists are taking the music industry by storm, with bands like BTS garnering unprecedented levels of popularity. South Korea has cemented its position as a powerhouse of the entertainment world, and the popularity of Squid Game only adds to its growing influence. For WNUR news, this is Izzy Pareja.
