“Squid Game” gets the green light Netflix endorses diversity through foreign shows Malak Samara
K
ids and adults alike browse through Netflix, ready to indulge themselves in a show they can talk about with their peers. Recently, that show has been “Squid Game.” The nine episode series became popularized in America, and recently hit 111 million household views, making it Netflix’s most-watched show. “The power of Netflix is that if it shows foreign programming, it can bring the world to your door, and that’s powerful,” English teacher and Film Club sponsor Glenn Seland said. “Squid Game” was set and filmed in South Korea. It consisted of mostly Korean actors, with a couple from other Asian countries. The show helped to promote diversity in American culture, which has traditionally had few mainstream foreign shows. “The show would be interesting to watch because it was created in a different country,” junior Jeffery Cepedes said. “I think it is so popular because it is a creative new type of show that hasn’t been done
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before, and people get connected to the characters.” The series’ main focal point was the games the players had to participate in. What made the games unique, however, was that most of the games are traditional Korean children’s games. “I thought it was cool that they brought traditional Korean games and put it into [Squid Game] so that people who are not just young, but even older, can enjoy,” sophomore Jocelyn Jun said. “A few games are a Korean version of ‘red light, green light’, and there was also the Korean sugar cookie candy game. But in Korea, all those games are played slightly differently in each area. So even Korean people watching had different perspectives on [the way the games were played].” In addition to “Squid Game’s” unique and diverse plotline, it also made a point to portray contrast through its colors, utilize intentional cinematography and create a dystopian impression with the setting. “[Squid Game] is just visual,”
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Seland said. “The different way they set up their scenes, the way they’re doing their cinematography. You can’t help but notice the way they’ve designed it, the stark red versus black versus white kind of images that I keep seeing.” The popularity of “Squid Game” allowed for the mass exposure of a different culture to viewers worldwide, as it was the number one trending show on Netflix for 24 days. “I think it’s more than just power,” Seland said. “It’s a responsibility. I love that [Netflix] is bringing something from offshore to the other side of the world. I think that broadens us as humans and it gives us more perspective.” A precedent for international productions and exposure to different cultures through streaming services’ series has
November 2021
