ROX-TV takes a look at the “Squid Game”. Here’s our take on the new series and why it’s worth a look.

Welcome back to the ROX-TV website. Today I’m going to be talking a little bit about the new series “Squid Game” which I stumbled across on Netflix. These days, a show has to really peak my curiosity before I’m willing to commit any time to it. I will admit, that finding shit that I enjoy can sometimes be rather difficult. Perhaps it’s my age or my odd preferences, but whatever the case…a show has about six to ten minutes to reel me in before I flip the switch and move on. As is customary on weekends, I tend to watch a little tv when ROX-TV isn’t out covering events or other projects. Most of the time, it’s late night type of stuff when I can’t sleep. Usually I get stuck on some quality oldies (horror movies mostly) but every now and again I will hit gold with a chance encounter.

I’m not really sure what made me pick “Squid Game” to be honest. The name seemed kind of strange, but the thumbnail was just interesting enough for me to click on the show to read more. It looked like an acid lego trip or something along those lines. Whatever the case, I decided to keep moving forward. The show opened up into an explanation of “Squid Game” from a guy’s childhood. The music pulled me in and before I knew it, the show had my full attention.

Although the explanation of the game was kind of strange, it was captivating. The show is from or based in Korea, which I don’t have a problem with and although English is overdubbed, it’s better than captions. After a few minutes though, I didn’t mind the over dub, I just kind of forgot about it. Visually the show is pleasing to the eye and the actors are very animated. The subtle humor is also a bonus and mixed in perfectly.

The show kicks off and highlights a guy down on his luck. He obviously has problems with work and maintaining a job. The hero of the show also has another rather large obstacle…he seems hopelessly addicted to gambling. Before long, it is apparent that his addiction to betting on horses and the chance at a fast buck is going to sink him sooner than later.

After a big win at the track, he gets pickpocketed and also has a run in with loan sharks, who want their money. The show is fast moving and doesn’t give the viewer time to get bored (which can be a problem for me). The hero has a daughter who he wants to give the world to, he just can’t seem to get his shit together though. Money problems are continuously mounting and the future looks grim to say the least.

The turn:

When everything seems bleak and the hero is destined to be either killed or buried with mounting finacial debts, a ray of sunshine breaks through, although it’s unclear at first that the hero can be convinced to take a ride on the unknown. I must say that even though the subject matter can be sad at times, the show mixes in the right amount of humor to counter balance the negative aspects. Every time I started to feel bad for the hero or just lousy in general because of his shit luck, a moment of comedic relief would rush in and even everything out.

After a long day of extreme highs and lows, the hero finds himself waiting on a train. This is where things start to get interesting. The hero is met by a strange man with a briefcase, and initially the hero believes the man to be a salesperson or a holy roller. But after a funny exchange, it turns out the man wants to “play a game” with the hero. The game is something I am unfamiliar with, but apparently is rather well known in Korea, or at last that part of the world. The man offers to pay him if the hero can flip over his game piece (you will have to watch the show to understand, it’s hard to describe but when you see it, all will make sense). The hero has no money as collateral, so the man says he can “pay with his body”. Every time the hero loses, the man got to slap him in the face. Obviously because of his gambling problems and willingness to risk his personal safety, he plays repeatedly until he finally wins a round (many slaps later). Again the music is captivating here.

The short end of it is that he gets paid and also given a business card, in case the hero wants to participate in “games” for more chances to win money and solve his problems. The hero doesn’t know it at the time, but his life will never be the same again, once he calls the number.

The Game:

Once the hero of the show finally decides to call the number, it’s all down hill from there. It’s interesting because at the start of the series, the hero is rather selfish and self serving, but slowly as time marches forward, he starts coming around to a better karma position. The good deeds start with feeding a stray cat and showing a little mercy, and by the end of the series, the hero actually becomes someone others could look up to (but I’m getting ahead of myself).

After calling the number on the business card, the hero shows up at a meeting place and a van arrives to take him the rest of the way. “Red light, green light” is the password, but before the hero can ask any questions, he is gassed and falls asleep. The next wake up will be at the “game”. All of his possessions have been removed and he has been given a track suit styled uniform. The hero and hundreds of others awake to find themselves knee deep in an adventure with horrific consequences for the losers.

The contestants will have a chance to win 45.6 Billion Dollars over the course of six events. No one knows it yet, but to be eliminated is the same as being “dead”. Everyone at the game is in financial ruin and it’s desperation town that drives them forward, and a chance at being free from massive life ending debt. As far as the content of the show, it never slows down and I like that. When things move slow, I get bored, and the channel gets changed…but it never happens.

Appeal

This show is extreme in the way that it presents a way out for people buried up to their eyes in debt, but I feel like everyone can relate to this show in one form or another. Financial security and debt affects every person in the country and apparently the world. This show might be set in South Korea, but there is no reason why it couldn’t take place in America or any other country around the world. The subject matter is relatable, even if a person doesn’t owe a lion’s share to a credit card company, mortgage, or so on. I think the chance for a better life is appealing and I’m sure there would be more people interested in this than some might think. Hell, for 45.6 billion dollars I think risking it all would be worth it. The paradox of life and death versus wealth and financial freedom is something that I think everyone can relate to in some way.

After the first game takes place, resulting in a shit load of causalities, the full horror of the situation is slowly realized for the participants. Sadly though, with their backs against a wall in real life, no one is willing to quit when bodies start to pile up. What may have seemed like a dream opportunity for the players, soon turns into a horror show with deadly consequences for all involved.

The result

After watching the first episode, I must admit that I was hooked. The show idea was original, vibrant, and interesting. Obviously, the English over dub had a few minor drawbacks, but it was way better than reading captions and like I said before, within ten minutes, I never thought about it again. I’m really glad technology has gotten to a point where foreign films can be watched with ease and have found some amazing series from overseas. I recently watched the series “Dark” on Netflix which was set in Germany, and had the same type of English over dub. The subject matter was so amazing, that it didn’t much matter after the first episode, just like the “Squid Game”.

I’ve watched foreign films in the past and captions were a tough way to go, but they’ve made the process virtually seamless, so don’t be afraid to watch one of these gems. As for the rest of the series I can say this….I watched all the episodes in a night and a half. I won’t say much more about the hero, his fate, or the twists of the show. You can either watch it or not, but if you give it chance, you will find a series with some pretty heavy content. I have my own theories about the show and the ending, as well as peculiar imagery which I believe hold secret meanings that just take a little tinkering to solve, but beyond that I will not say much more. I don’t want to tamper with any future viewers happiness. The show is there, now….go watch it if you dare.

Signing Off,

Mike Shepard

ROX-TV Head Writer

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