When Squid Game first appeared on Netflix, few people expected it to become a worldwide cultural phenomenon. Within weeks, the series dominated global charts, sparked conversations across social media, and left viewers asking one central question: what is Squid Game based on?
At first glance, Squid Game feels like a shocking work of fiction built purely for entertainment. But beneath its colorful sets and brutal challenges lies a story deeply inspired by real experiences, social realities, and cultural history. This article explores the true foundations of Squid Game, from Korean childhood games and economic inequality to the personal struggles of its creator. By the end, you’ll understand why the show feels so disturbingly real.
The Meaning Behind the Name “Squid Game”
The title of the series comes from a real children’s game played in South Korea, especially during the 1970s and 1980s. The game involved drawing shapes on the ground that resembled a squid and dividing players into attackers and defenders.
What makes this significant is the contrast. Squid Game takes something innocent and nostalgic and turns it into a violent competition for survival. This contrast reflects one of the show’s main messages: how adulthood and modern society destroy childhood innocence under the pressure of money and competition.
Korean Childhood Games as the Foundation
One of the strongest inspirations behind Squid Game is traditional Korean playground games. These games are not invented for the show; they were once a normal part of growing up in South Korea.
Some of the games featured include:
- Red Light, Green Light
- Tug of War
- Marbles
- Hopscotch-style challenges
- The Squid Game itself
These games were chosen deliberately. They are simple, rule-based, and familiar, which makes their deadly consequences even more shocking. The familiarity draws viewers in emotionally before confronting them with violence.
Economic Inequality and Debt
A major answer to the question what is Squid Game based on lies in economic inequality. The show is a reflection of real financial struggles faced by many people in South Korea and around the world.
Debt as a Trap
Every participant in the game is drowning in debt. Credit cards, loans, gambling losses, medical bills, and failed businesses are common realities in modern society. Squid Game exaggerates this problem but does not invent it.
South Korea has one of the highest household debt levels among developed countries. The series uses this reality to show how desperation can push people into extreme situations.
A System Designed to Favor the Rich
The wealthy VIPs in Squid Game symbolize the elite who benefit from the suffering of others. They gamble on human lives purely for entertainment, highlighting how those at the top often remain untouched by the consequences faced by ordinary people.
The Creator’s Personal Struggles
Squid Game was created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, and his own life experiences played a huge role in shaping the story.
Before Squid Game became successful, Hwang struggled financially for years. He lived with his mother, faced debt, and experienced rejection within the film industry. At one point, he reportedly had to sell his laptop to survive.
These personal struggles influenced the emotional depth of the characters. The fear, desperation, and moral conflict shown in the series come from real emotions, not imagination.
Capitalism and Survival Competition
Squid Game is often described as a critique of modern capitalism. The game itself mirrors how society operates:
- Everyone starts with “equal rules”
- Only a few succeed
- Many are eliminated
- Compassion is discouraged
- Competition is rewarded
The show suggests that the system claims to be fair but is actually designed so that only a small number can win.
This message resonates globally because people everywhere face similar pressures — long working hours, rising costs of living, and constant competition.
Psychological Pressure and Human Behavior
Beyond physical violence, Squid Game focuses heavily on psychological stress. Players must decide whether to betray friends, abandon morals, or risk death.
The show asks difficult questions:
- What would you do to survive?
- How much is your morality worth?
- Can kindness exist in a system built on competition?
These questions stay with viewers long after the show ends.
Symbolism Throughout the Series
Squid Game uses heavy symbolism to communicate its themes.
The Masks
The guards wear masks to erase individuality. This reflects how systems often reduce people to roles or numbers, removing empathy and accountability.
The Colors
Bright colors contrast with dark outcomes. This symbolizes how attractive promises (money, success) often hide painful consequences.
The Prize Money
The massive prize hanging above the players represents constant temptation and pressure. It’s always visible, reminding players of what they’re risking their lives for.
Squid Game Cast and Performances
The impact of Squid Game would not be the same without its powerful cast. Lee Jung-jae delivers an emotional performance as Seong Gi-hun, a flawed but compassionate character. Park Hae-soo portrays ambition and moral conflict, while Jung Ho-yeon became a global star through her role as Kang Sae-byeok.
Supporting actors like Oh Yeong-su, Heo Sung-tae, and Anupam Tripathi added realism and emotional weight, making the characters feel human rather than fictional.
Why Squid Game Resonated Worldwide
Although Squid Game is rooted in Korean culture, its themes are universal. People across different countries recognize:
- Financial stress
- Social inequality
- Fear of failure
- Pressure to succeed
This universality is why the show became one of Netflix’s most-watched series in history.
Is Squid Game Based on a True Story?
Squid Game is not based on a single true story, but it is inspired by real social conditions, personal experiences, and cultural history. The events are fictional, but the emotions and struggles are real.
That combination makes the series feel authentic and deeply unsettling.
Conclusion
So, what is Squid Game based on?
It is based on a powerful blend of Korean childhood games, real-world economic inequality, the creator’s personal hardships, and a broader critique of competitive society. The show succeeds because it turns familiar experiences into a dark mirror of modern life.
Squid Game isn’t just about survival — it’s about how systems push people to their limits. That’s why it shocked, moved, and stayed with millions of viewers around the world.
If you enjoy stories that combine entertainment with deep meaning, Squid Game stands as one of the most powerful examples of modern storytelling.