Brawls in schoolyards
“Squid Game” makers horrified by imitators
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Violence and pressure to perform are symbolic of social criticism in the “Squid Game” series. However, the brutal game quickly finds imitators in schoolyards and several countries sound the alarm. Now the series makers are speaking out and emphasizing: The actual message of the series was apparently misunderstood.
In the South Korean streaming hit “Squid Game,” adults with large amounts of debt have to take part in seemingly harmless children’s games. But whoever loses is killed on the spot. Shortly after the start of the first season in 2021, schools in several countries warned that children and young people would replay the series during break and slap the losers.
“I was shocked when I heard about these events. Especially because it's not a series for children,” explained series creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk. “I didn't expect that children and young people would also watch the series. That shocked me and worried me.”
The Bavarian Teachers' Association (BLLV) reported incidents in the playground at the time. These have a new quality and it causes excitement. According to the BBC, schools in Great Britain also warned against the series. “I can only ask parents to have a serious conversation with their children before the second and third seasons and make it clear to them that this series is not for them,” Hwang continued. “If for some reason they do see excerpts, adults should explain to them the context of the violent depictions.”
Recommended for ages 16 and up only
According to the creators, the brutality in the series is symbolic of a capitalist society for which only performance counts and which leaves its losers alone with worries and hardships. “The message we really want to convey with 'Squid Game' is not to use violence and that the strong and weak should live together in harmony,” said lead actor Lee Jung-Jae. He plays “456”, the winner from the first season. Children and young people who use the children's games from the series for violence would do exactly the opposite. “So I would advise those people to watch 'Squid Game' again and realize what the show is really about.”
The second season of the successful series can be seen on Netflix from December 26th. The streaming service recommends the seven episodes for ages 16 and up.
