Squid Game

“Squid Game” gets the green light

Kids and adults alike browse through Net ix, ready to indulge themselves in a show they can talk about with their peers. Recently, that show has been “Squid Game.” e nine episode series became popularized in America, and recently hit 111 million household views, making it Net ix’s most-watched show. “ e power of Net ix 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 lmed in South Korea. It consisted of mostly Korean actors, with a couple from other Asian countries. e show helped to promote diversity in American culture, which has traditionally had few mainstream foreign shows. “ e show would be interesting to watch because it was created in a di erent country,” junior Je ery Cepedes said. “I think it is so popular because it is a creative new type of show that hasn’t been done before, and people get connected to the characters.” e 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 di erently in each area. So even Korean people watching had di erent 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,” Seland said. “ e di erent 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.” e popularity of “Squid Game” allowed for the mass exposure of a di erent culture to viewers worldwide, as it was the number one trending show on Net ix for 24 days. “I think it’s more than just power,” Seland said. “It’s a responsibility. I love that [Net ix] is bringing something from o shore 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 di erent cultures through streaming services’ series has

Net ix endorses diversity through foreign shows

Malak Samara samarmal000@hsestudents.org

Seland said. “ e di erent way they set up their scenes, the way they’re doing their cinematography. You can’t help but notice worldwide, as it was the number one trending show on Net ix for 24 days. “I think it’s more than

been set by “Squid Game,” too. Diversity in shows gives the general public a chance to be educated on a variety of di erent perspectives. “If some show does this well about di erent cultures, I would be interested in it,” Jun said. “Even if I don’t become super professional about that culture, I would be able to learn more about it. And I think being aware or being educated really reduces racism or any negative views, causing people to be more aware, just more open and accepting.” While there are countless bene ts from showcasing foreign shows in America, there can also be dangers that arise because of it. Psychology Today says that misconceptions could jeopardize people’s views on certain cultures, rather than educating them. “Just make sure what you’re watching isn’t racist,” Jun said. “I think you should know the background of it. If there was a movie made about a speci c culture, but it was totally butchered and the director and actors knew nothing about that culture, then that’s not good. So I think you should just be aware of what kind of media you’re consuming.” In addition to misconceptions about the culture, the production team experienced issues with translating the original Korean script to English, both in the subtitles and the dubbed version. Viewers noted di erences in tone and emotion on social media. “One of the things I’ve heard is that there’s the issue of translating language,” Seland said. “From what it’s intended in Korea, some things have kind of been misinterpreted and it’s led to di erent interpretations of what the function of the

whole storyline is. I think that’s Game,” too. Diversity disappointing, but also it could in shows gives the be damaging to the series itself if general public it’s not translated well.” a chance to ere are ways to balance be educated misconceptions through ction on a variety series’ by producing non- ction of di erent deep dives on the beauty of perspectives. di erent cultures. “Experience “If some Korea through your Five show Senses” is a documentary that does this gives insight on Korean culture well about through depictions of the ve di erent senses. cultures, I “Net ix should probably have would be a docu-series or other things interested that show other parts of Korea in it,” Jun that are amazing,” Seland said. said. “Even if I “So there can be a little more don’t become super balance of culture awareness.” professional about that Even with its aws, a recurring culture, I would be able to learn theme between any show on any streaming service is the sense of community it inspires between di erent groups of people all over the world. “[Shows] de nitely bring people together,” Seland said. “It gives them a talking point at lunchtime. And sharing the communal kind of experience of that, talking about the ideas, the themes that the lm raises.”

Infographic by Malak Samara.