Squid Game: Another Perspective

ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE OF LIFE

By: Cosme Lozano Staff Writter

By: Paula Garcia Layout Designer

Societies all around the world have different struggles, with wealth inequality being one of them. Wealth inequality is something that people have to experience everyday, especially in capitalist countries like America. In the Netflix show, "Squid Game," we can see how real world misfortunes, specifically wealth inequality, affects people. This topic can be uncomfortable for some people because most of these societal misfortunates people usually ignore.

From my understanding, “Squid Game” shows viewers how some people in our society are willing to do anything to survive.

I wouldn’t describe the tv show as fascinating. Although the show gains its own audience, it is not for everyone, especially sensitive viewers. The show isn’t what you would call "unique." Like many other shows, "Squid Game" holds a deeper meaning behind what the audience may perceive.

The main character, Gi-Hun, is a divorced father in his 40s. He lives with his mother and occasionally steals her money to gamble. His character is exactly what you would expect from someone that is swimming in debt and would do just about anything to get out of it.

In the first episode, he is mysteriously offered a chance to win money by playing several childhood games over the course of 6 days. What he, and the rest of the contestants, don't know is exactly how much this opportunity will cost them.

When Gi-Hun wakes up, he finds himself surrounded by 455 other players, of different ages, genders and backgrounds, that all came for the same reason, money.

Like Gi-Hun, all of the contestants are heavily in debt and are desperate to pay it off.

Each and every player joined the game of their own free will, with all of them eventually finding out what playing really meant. However, only a few of them go far enough to see what the end of the games would actually look like.

Human morality is challenged, with the games forcing players to make desperate and homicidal decisions. The desperation leads people into “a state of despair,” which typically results in “extreme behavior,” according to www.languages.oup.com.

What is more extreme in civilization than killing one another because of the uncertainty of what is going to happen next?

I personally think that the show gets predictable as it continues on. You are able to guess what choices the

players will make before they are even sure. However, this opportunity is important to the players who do not have any other choice but to be there. That's when the audience's own humanity plays a role and we begin to feel empathy for the players and the choices they have to make.

The visuals are enjoyable. The place has such a childish and playful atmosphere, you feel like you are watching a fantasy movie for kids. Not only the colors, but the structure of the whole place creates a contrast with what its genuine purpose is.

Is it really all about money?

The players are forced to look at their lives as a factor of losing. There is no amount of money that can bring anyone back to life, and that is my point. Money can mean everything in some people's lives, and so many people risk their lives for it. However, some of us aren't able to see this because we have been trained to turn a blind eye to this part of society.

What makes "Squid Game" different from real life is that there is no "grey area." You either win or you die trying, forgiveness is not an option. Can you imagine what life would be like if we died everytime we made a mistake? We wouldn't be able to live because we would be too busy trying to survive.

"Squid Game" educates viewers about this aspect of society. The show also encourages viewers to imagine what choices we would make if we were in these life or death situations.

"Squid Game" is available now, only on Netflix.