Squid Game (Netflix)

[Guest]

Apparently squid game made netflix around $900 million. It's hard to work it out with streaming services but they estimate that based on new subscriptions and other things as well. Likely there will be a season 2 I think based on the huge viewership figures. I'd imagine a second series would have the main character from season 1 trying to stop it and another bunch of characters playing the game. Hopefully if they do make it it will be good 

[Tommy]

On 19/10/2021 at 17:13, Viva la FCB said:

Good show overall imo and worth watching but thats about it.

 

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The middle few episodes is where it hit its stride imo.. the marble episode was probably the peak. I dont like the ending at all, it only makes sense in trying to force the character to survive and be front and center in a sequel.

 

I'll make it my new workout series. 

[Stan]

Must say I agree with a lot of the comments here. Fantastic gripping and intense series. You get sucked in to the personalities of the characters, their agendas, their vendettas, their stories and history and motives. It makes for such a good programme to leave you wanting more. 

Having said that, was also let down by the ending (as in right at the end), but did enjoy a couple of the twists in the final episode. 

Definitely agree about the American actors 'the VIPS'. Just a waste of space and added absolutely nothing. Probably a bigger let down than with how it ended. 

Also agree about the dubbing - not a chance that could have been watched in English and had the same effect. Not fussed about the translations because they already had the desired effect for me as a viewer. 

On 19/10/2021 at 16:13, Viva la FCB said:

Good show overall imo and worth watching but thats about it.

 

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The middle few episodes is where it hit its stride imo.. the marble episode was probably the peak. I dont like the ending at all, it only makes sense in trying to force the character to survive and be front and center in a sequel.

 

Agreed. I think my favourite games were Red Light, Green Light purely because it does look just like a kids game you play and can envisage playing (minus the killing obviously). My other favourite game was the bridge one - the cinematography right at the end was brilliant. I also quite like the character of Sae-Byeok, you grow to like a lot of them to be fair.

On 28/09/2021 at 14:49, Cicero said:

Finished. 9/10. 

Fantastic and one of the most hooked Netflix series I've watched since 'You". Props to the beautiful cinematography and acting/character development we witness throughout the show. Totally invested in the characters. 

 

@nudge This might be up your alley. 

 

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Sang Woo my favorite character by far. His character development from being a smart humble man, to doing what ever necessary to win, to then finding humanity in him again and killing himself. Brilliant. We really don't know how any of us would react in situations like this when our lives + life changing money is on the line. Praying there is a season 2.

 

 

Agreed!

[Dr. Gonzo]

On 27/10/2021 at 00:06, Stan said:

Definitely agree about the American actors 'the VIPS'. Just a waste of space and added absolutely nothing. Probably a bigger let down than with how it ended. 

I don't agree that they added absolutely nothing, I think in a show that's got a whole lot of social commentary in it... the juxtaposition between the contestant in the games & the billionaires that are funding the game by their gambling, who sure are definitely stereotypes of American out-of-touch billionaires (with one Chinese billionaire), provides a pretty striking bit of social commentary about the wealth gap and ultimately about the games billionaires play with the lives and livelihood of the rest of society.

They aren't meant to be relatable or likeable. They're meant to be out of touch, callous, sinful, etc... Their dialogue is unnatural and weird, but their lack of general humanity that the show is trying to convey should also feel unnatural and weird. So to me, that strange dialogue fits in what the show is trying to convey.

They also serve as the answer to the question of: why and how these games are happening and how they're funded. I can't be the only one who questioned: "why would rich Koreans do this?" or "who the hell is financing this, how could they get away with it?" - and the answer is revealed by the VIPs. The why and how are explained by saying the games (which it is revealed aren't just in Korea) are basically like horse races for the world's elite to place bets on.

[Stan]

20 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I don't agree that they added absolutely nothing, I think in a show that's got a whole lot of social commentary in it... the juxtaposition between the contestant in the games & the billionaires that are funding the game by their gambling, who sure are definitely stereotypes of American out-of-touch billionaires (with one Chinese billionaire), provides a pretty striking bit of social commentary about the wealth gap and ultimately about the games billionaires play with the lives and livelihood of the rest of society.

 

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They aren't meant to be relatable or likeable. They're meant to be out of touch, callous, sinful, etc... Their dialogue is unnatural and weird, but their lack of general humanity that the show is trying to convey should also feel unnatural and weird. So to me, that strange dialogue fits in what the show is trying to convey.

They also serve as the answer to the question of: why and how these games are happening and how they're funded. I can't be the only one who questioned: "why would rich Koreans do this?" or "who the hell is financing this, how could they get away with it?" - and the answer is revealed by the VIPs. The why and how are explained by saying the games (which it is revealed aren't just in Korea) are basically like horse races for the world's elite to place bets on.

 

I see what you're saying, I just think it was over-egged for a whole episode. And in doing that, they over-egged the way the VIPs are. I suppose the irony in the juxtaposition is that the rest of the show was 8/9 out of 10. But then that episode and the actors were about a 3.

The only way I would say it gave weight to the series is incorporating Jun-Ho, and slowly seeing the Front Man continue to clock there's something amiss with this 'unknown'. It gives reason for him to continue chasing. 

[Dr. Gonzo]

1 hour ago, Stan said:

I see what you're saying, I just think it was over-egged for a whole episode. And in doing that, they over-egged the way the VIPs are. I suppose the irony in the juxtaposition is that the rest of the show was 8/9 out of 10. But then that episode and the actors were about a 3.

The only way I would say it gave weight to the series is incorporating Jun-Ho, and slowly seeing the Front Man continue to clock there's something amiss with this 'unknown'. It gives reason for him to continue chasing. 

I think the over-egged way the VIPs are is also sort of a reflection of how a Korean guy who's written a show critiquing capitalism is using them as a way of critiquing the west - which, while America doesn't represent the entirety of the west... American media culture is so widespread among the western world. You aren't alone in your thinking of the way the VIPs portray American/western culture in the show. But I think part of what so many dislike about them is it's a pretty jarring interpretation of a culture we're used to consuming entertainment from so often.

You can see on social media that some Americans were pretty offended  - but I think of these people as the same as the Koreans who were offended that the subtitles were "an erasure of Korean culture"... just people looking to be offended by something without having good reason to actually be offended.

Apparently their lines in English came straight from a google translate of the original Korean lines for them  - so that might have something to do with their dialogue feeling a bit wonky.

I thought with Jun-Ho, his storyline is actually a bit weird. He does a good job of building up suspense, he uncovers some interesting information about his missing brother (which weirdly, my wife predicted on just the 2nd episode and I have no idea how she figured that out tbh)... but in terms of his role in the overall plot, his storyline doesn't have all that much that directly relates to the Gi-Hun's story arch which is clearly the main story arch.

It could be, like

@MUFCsuggested, he's still alive and his story isn't let over - personally, I think it's unlikely he survived... but who knows, I think there will be a second season to build off the success this had

[Stan]

8 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I think the over-egged way the VIPs are is also sort of a reflection of how a Korean guy who's written a show critiquing capitalism is using them as a way of critiquing the west - which, while America doesn't represent the entirety of the west... American media culture is so widespread among the western world. You aren't alone in your thinking of the way the VIPs portray American/western culture in the show. But I think part of what so many dislike about them is it's a pretty jarring interpretation of a culture we're used to consuming entertainment from so often.

You can see on social media that some Americans were pretty offended  - but I think of these people as the same as the Koreans who were offended that the subtitles were "an erasure of Korean culture"... just people looking to be offended by something without having good reason to actually be offended.

Apparently their lines in English came straight from a google translate of the original Korean lines for them  - so that might have something to do with their dialogue feeling a bit wonky.

I thought with Jun-Ho, his storyline is actually a bit weird. He does a good job of building up suspense, he uncovers some interesting information about his missing brother (which weirdly, my wife predicted on just the 2nd episode and I have no idea how she figured that out tbh)... but in terms of his role in the overall plot, his storyline doesn't have all that much that directly relates to the Gi-Hun's story arch which is clearly the main story arch.

 

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It could be, like

@MUFCsuggested, he's still alive and his story isn't let over - personally, I think it's unlikely he survived... but who knows, I think there will be a second season to build off the success this had

 

I think he's dead, but the photos and videos he took eventually reach the police back home, or his phone is found. I think there's a reason we never see him or the phone at the bottom of the cliff. There's no way he can be alive. 

Also, props to your wife. I guessed that too . Don't ask why, but a hunch perhaps! 

Great minds haha. 

I don't mind story arches that are secondary to the main one. Anyone thinking Jun-Ho was the main one and takes precedents over Gi Hun's is just silly. In saying that, I think his storyline offers enough to be valuable to the game/series.

 

[Panflute]

13 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I don't agree that they added absolutely nothing, I think in a show that's got a whole lot of social commentary in it... the juxtaposition between the contestant in the games & the billionaires that are funding the game by their gambling, who sure are definitely stereotypes of American out-of-touch billionaires (with one Chinese billionaire), provides a pretty striking bit of social commentary about the wealth gap and ultimately about the games billionaires play with the lives and livelihood of the rest of society.

 

  Hide contents

They aren't meant to be relatable or likeable. They're meant to be out of touch, callous, sinful, etc... Their dialogue is unnatural and weird, but their lack of general humanity that the show is trying to convey should also feel unnatural and weird. So to me, that strange dialogue fits in what the show is trying to convey.

They also serve as the answer to the question of: why and how these games are happening and how they're funded. I can't be the only one who questioned: "why would rich Koreans do this?" or "who the hell is financing this, how could they get away with it?" - and the answer is revealed by the VIPs. The why and how are explained by saying the games (which it is revealed aren't just in Korea) are basically like horse races for the world's elite to place bets on.

 

That all being said, they made a mistake giving dialogue to people who are objectively very bad at acting.

[6666]

Overall, I enjoyed the show but the finale did have some unnecessary moments. The twist was more of a negative than it being something interesting. He also looked ridiculous after dying his hair, it was completely random and didn't fit the show at all. If they took those 2 things out, it would've been much better.

Need a Thelma & Louise type show/film with the actresses that played 067 & 240.

[6666]

On 13/10/2021 at 23:21, Tommy said:

 

Just stumbled across this, and apparently it's accurate. Everyone who watches this dubbed should be ashamed of themselves. Please find the wall that is closest to you and bash your head against it. 

Dubbed versions are never acceptable unless someone has a legitimate reason for it like dyslexia or some type of learning difficulty. It pretty much makes everyone look like terrible actors.

[Tommy]

Ok, watched the first episode. I actually enjoyed it. 

Love this guy:

Korean Christopher Walken. 

[Tommy]

7 episodes in. 

Ali getting screwed over and killed was the saddest fucking thing, man.

[Devil]

2 hours ago, Tommy said:

7 episodes in. 

 

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Ali getting screwed over and killed was the saddest fucking thing, man.

 

Was awful that.

[yeriq]

Watched 5 episodes, story is good in overall

[Stan]

14 hours ago, Tommy said:

7 episodes in. 

 

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Ali getting screwed over and killed was the saddest fucking thing, man.

 

 

11 hours ago, Devil said:

Was awful that.

That's the beauty of pulling you into to relate or associate with each character, and sympathise with their struggles. Suck you in and then have that 'twist' in the detail/content you mention. Timed perfectly because if you've made it that far in to the series, you're bound to be invested enough in at least one of the characters to then feel the effect of what happens.

[Viva la FCB+]

Among other reasons but thats also why I think the marble episode was the peak of the show. It was the pinnacle point of caring for these characters and even within the one episode what they revealed about the 2 girls in particular, it was heart wrenching. Really, really well done episode. 

[Tommy]

 

[JoshBRFC+]

Watched this after friends and the world raving about it. I thought it was okay, but overrated. Hailed as the greatest TV show of all time. It's nowhere near even the top 10. 

Good and different, and fun. 7/10 overall. 

[Devil-Dick Willie]

Okay, just finished the show, I thought it was visually fantastic, and a great suspenseful soundtrack too. The character development was above average and you really root for the guys you didn't care about to start. 

 

Spoiler

For those saying that the Korean representation of westerners ruined an episode for them, I don't see how it was worse than having a Pakistani illegal immigrant called Ali Akbar 

 

[Devil-Dick Willie]

@Viva la FCB @Tommy @Stan

I just wanted your thoughts, on my thoughts on a pretty big plot contrivance. 

 

Spoiler

So overall I thought the show was great. I thought episode 2 was probably its weakest point, and the marbles game was genius, but a slow episode, that could have had more to it if we got some more investigation scenes from our cop friend. 

The final 3 was done brilliantly, the final game was heartbreaking, and the dramatic conclusions to that point were all excellent. Gi-huns mum dying was an incredible touch, and I hate my mum. So I can imagine how gut wrenching it'd be to the average viewer. I thought that would have been the perfect ending....

Then the show reveals that Il-nam was the creator of the game, and that he wished to participate to feel joy. I honestly don't hate his motive, however, its execution opens up a HUGE can of worms for me. 

We know from the marble episode that he's not playing the game for life and death. The staff know not to kill him, and he is escorted away from the group without witness. Here are my issues. 

1. To truly play the game, it must be for life and death. Otherwise it's like cheating. Hollow. 

2. Red light green light and marbles are easy to not kill him in, it's easy to play red light green light if you go in knowing you fuck up you'll die, they were given plenty of time, so he had an easy time of it. Also, if he fucks it up minorly, you could put him not being shot down to human inefficiency, but for game 2 what if his sugar cake broke in front of everyone? Do they shoot him? Do they escort him out without explanation? What if his team lost at tug of war? Surely in that case he just dies, but if he's playing the games life or death, why does he get spared in marbles? 

3. Marbles specifically is a HUGE issue for the character consistency for me. I understand him pretending to have dementia to frustrate Gi-hun, perhaps as a test of character. But if it was a test of character, Gi-hun failed it! He cheated, then got upset when Il-Nam suggested they do essentially a 50/50 for the last marble. I thought that was a bit of a mess, and that for better continuity, Gi-hun should have lost at marbles, fairly, then Il-Nam should have given them back to him. It's also weird that Gi-hun cheating his ride or die friend in a life and death game wasn't spoken about as part of their 'does the homeless dude freeze to death' game. 

My other gripe was around the gangster. The arc of the gangster was pretty boring and normal. In the episode his friend betrays him and he kills him before escaping the gangs who want him dead by jumping off the bridge, he showed real toughness and wrath IMO. Was very disappointed for him to later be painted as a coward. It's the easy boring way to write him out. 

Overall I rated it highly. Was great at being fun and lite, then ripping your guts out when it wanted to. But that twist was so unnecessary. The show was brilliant without it.  

 

[Stan]

Yes. @Devil-Dick Willie. 

[Devil-Dick Willie]

5 minutes ago, Stan said:

Yes. @Devil-Dick Willie. 

Enlightening. 

[Stan]

2 minutes ago, Devil-Dick Willie said:

Enlightening. 

In all honesty, I agree with all of what you say. 

 

Especially point 2. 

 

He so could have easily lost tug of war unintentionally. It'd ruin his whole plan. 

Or even the final round, playing squid game, what it Gi-Hun died in that fight? 

Took me a while to get around the twist. You're definitely right about it wrenching your guts out either unexpectedly or even just because it forces you to gain attachment to a character through its story-telling. 

 

[Tommy]

I mostly watched this while working out, and didn't put that much thought into it. It's not exactly the kind of show that makes you go into a deep analysis. It's obvious that there were a lot of things that didn't make sense or could have been done better, and that's why it's nowhere near of being one of the best series of all time. It's light entertainment. 

[Stan]

22 minutes ago, Tommy said:

I mostly watched this while working out, and didn't put that much thought into it. It's not exactly the kind of show that makes you go into a deep analysis. It's obvious that there were a lot of things that didn't make sense or could have been done better, and that's why it's nowhere near of being one of the best series of all time. It's light entertainment. 

Not sure it meets the definition for light entertainment. You yourself have said you didn't put much thought into it so may be a reason as to why the deep analysis wasn't there to begin with. Not that it needs analysis per se, but a level of investment to get properly into it.