Questions of survival vs. greed takes hold in the return of ‘Squid Game’

On December 17, 2024By Littum

It’s clear enough why Netflix wants to return to the nightmarish world of the South Korean “Squid Game,” with its life-or-death decisions, betrayals and humiliations among contestants desperate for the fortune on offer the winner. After all, the series is the streamer’s biggest hit to date, winning three Screen Actors Guild Awards and six Emmys (including for drama series, lead actor for Lee Jung-jae and directing for creator Hwang Dong-hyuk).

But why would Hwang want to come back for more, and how could he justify putting Lee’s character, Gi-hun, back in that kind of danger?

Turns out, Hwang has a lot more to say about humanity through “Squid Game,” enough even for two more seasons (Season 2 drops on Dec. 26, and the team is working on Season 3 now). And in doing so, he’s made an important tweak — one that changed the central question of the show.

As for his main character, “At the end of season 1, Gi-hun was already a different person,” Hwang says through an interpreter about what could draw this commoner back to the candy-colored hell. “After he came out of the game as a winner, he discovered his mother dead and he dyed his hair. Although he tries to return to his normal life, the damage has already been done. He cannot return (to that life) on because of the trauma.”

Lee Jung-jae, in the middle, as Gi-hun in season 2 of

Season 2’s Gi-hun isn’t the hapless loser viewers first encountered. It’s three years later, and he’s dedicated his now considerable fortune to finding the mysterious island where he saw so many people die for the amusement of the games’ patrons. He is on a mission to end the games once and for all. But his trauma runs deep, as encapsulated by a shocking scene where he tries to extract information from someone – by playing Russian roulette with them.

“They’re playing this game in a confined space with just the two of them, and it’s literally a game of death,” Lee says, also through an interpreter, of the lingering effects of the games on Gi-hun. “There must have been some kind of explosive adrenaline rush. And I thought to myself, maybe Gi-hun, without even realizing it, is enjoying the rush. When I thought about the motivation behind it as an actor, I also doubted myself. This scene is very cinematic, it is very dramatic,” he says.

Hwang acknowledges that it was inspired by “The Deer Hunter.” “So I had to think, ‘How do we get it off the ground? How do we make it realistic?’ There are these two elements: (He is obsessed with) finding those behind the game and putting an end to it; and on the other hand, he is enjoying himself unintentionally.”

But the main difference between the two seasons stems from the show’s examination of human nature. In Season 1, contestants were given one option to vote – to continue trying for the big bucks, or to quit and go home with nothing but their lives. Those who tried to finish the competition won … but most still proved desperate enough to return. In season 2, that vote takes place after each matchand if the majority chooses to quit, the survivors share the pot – everyone gets a little richer and goes home alive.

But what happens if the majority decides it would rather try to get very richer, even if it means most of those around them would die, including those who wanted to leave? The human question moves from being about survival – what would you give up of yourself to live? — for greed — are you willing to let others die for your chance at fabulous wealth?

And there is also a social policy issue. It is a binary system; a choice of extremes. And that’s exactly what Hwang wanted to tackle during the twists and turns of the world’s most popular thriller series.

A close-up of Hwang Dong-hyuk with half of his face in shadow.

Hwang says, “In season 2, I’m looking to fully exploit the voting system. There are many issues regarding presidential elections, in Korea and the United States and around the world. (Factions) are trying to dominate through the majority. And throughout season 2 and season 3, trying I to ask the question: ‘What is the meaning of this voting system and this majority rule? Is majority rule always correct?’ Looking at the political and social landscape around the globe, I thought it would be very meaningful to ask this question at this time.Across the globe, economic and political polarization and extremism are rampant these days. I would relate to.”

Lee says, “Director Hwang has said that if you look at how the votes go in the show, it’s almost always that the scale is tipped by one more vote or one more person. It’s almost 50-50. So one vote will do one side to the winning side,” which hits on Hwang’s question about majority rule when elections are so polarized and the stakes so high.

“Although it reflects reality, as a performer I was really focused more on human greed and desire,” adds Lee. “In the beginning, people think, ‘Oh, I’m good at this.’ I can leave the game with just this amount.’ But if you play one more round, you get richer, and it’s very natural to think, ‘So what just one more?’ “