View Full Version : Squid Game
Idioteque Stalker
10-01-2021, 08:05 PM
Korean ISP sues Netflix because Squid Game is too popular. (https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/01/south-korean-internet-service-provider-sues-netflix-over-squid-game.html)
So... it's red light green light meets Battle Royale? Sounds dumb enough I may actually sample an episode (given it's 30 mins or less).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqxAJKy0ii4
megladon8
10-01-2021, 10:28 PM
Interesting to see some outside information about the popularity of a Netflix show.
Ever since reading about their metrics for viewership, I really don't pay any mind to any claims of a show's popularity when the information is coming directly from Netflix.
"3 billion people watched 2 minutes of this! IT'S OUR BIGGEST HIT EVAH!!"
transmogrifier
10-01-2021, 11:01 PM
So... it's red light green light meets Battle Royale? Sounds dumb enough I may actually sample an episode (given it's 30 mins or less).
Well, RLGL is only the first game of six. It's more similar to As the Gods Will than Battle Royale. The episodes are all about an hour in length however :)
Anyway, I've seen 7 of the 9 so far and I like it. Nothing earth-shattering, but it doesn't get too formulaic and it manages to be quite emotional at times.
Idioteque Stalker
10-01-2021, 11:13 PM
It's more similar to As the Gods Will than Battle Royale. The episodes are all about an hour in length however :)
Wasn't familiar with that one, but yeah the plot synopsis makes it seem very similar. And thanks for giving me an excuse (length) to not watch this.
Dukefrukem
10-04-2021, 02:39 AM
This is becoming the most watched foreign language program on Netflix?
Ezee E
10-04-2021, 09:05 PM
This is becoming the most watched foreign language program on Netflix?
Sounds like it. I've had multiple people tell me about this that are outside of this and Film Twitter, which is usually a big sign.
Wryan
10-07-2021, 04:46 AM
The marble episode is straight up phenomenal. Looking forward to last few episodes.
Premise is quite familiar, but the whole thing is elevated by some terrific characters and acting.
Wryan
10-07-2021, 05:48 AM
Well I may have spoken too soon. That incredible episode was followed by one with some seriously cringe, low-rent Eyes Wide Shut nonsense. The "game" itself was nearly enough to save it tho.
Ezee E
10-12-2021, 05:07 AM
First episode and it's the best "first episode" of a show that I can think of in quite some time. Like Lost/Breaking Bad first episode tier.
transmogrifier
10-12-2021, 11:12 AM
Well I may have spoken too soon. That incredible episode was followed by one with some seriously cringe, low-rent Eyes Wide Shut nonsense. The "game" itself was nearly enough to save it tho.
The Korean film industry still has no idea how to cast, coach, or write for foreign actors.
Asian film industry in general, actually. I don't know if it's the language barrier of script/direction, or the lack of proper acting pool to choose from, but it's gotten to the point where I brace for it whenever a western foreigner appear in Thai series/soaps/films. To give a recent Thai example that people here might have the most chance to see, think the exam instructor in Bad Genius.
transmogrifier
10-12-2021, 12:41 PM
Asian film industry in general, actually. I don't know if it's the language barrier of script/direction, or the lack of proper acting pool to choose from, but it's gotten to the point where I brace for it whenever a western foreigner appear in Thai series/soaps/films. To give a recent Thai example that people here might have the most chance to see, think the exam instructor in Bad Genius.
This post over at Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/korea/comments/q3376g/the_real_reasons_why_foreigner _actors_in_korea/) explains it pretty damn well, I think, for the Korean context at least.
DavidSeven
10-12-2021, 11:00 PM
Seems like there should be far less excuse for poor acting from English actors with Netflix now being part of the production, as they were for Squid Game, and having the resources available to pay actors, additional writers, an on-site English language director, etc. That episode was terrible.
Ezee E
10-14-2021, 03:08 AM
Five episodes in...
thoughts.
Certainly the most binge-worthy show I've watched in years. Mare of Easttown and Watchmen were great shows, but I definitely was fine letting those sit with me for a moment, whereas I would watch this whole thing in a sitting if I could.
What a cool world that's been established. I imagine plenty of fan fiction, games, and theories can come from this.
If I were to be overly critical, I don't care for the cop subplot. I feel like this operation is so micromanaged, intentionally confusing to workers, and regulated that there's just no way the cop could've gotten as far as he did. Similar goes for the doctor, but well...
Kind of hope 067 wins this thing, but no way we get to a final game with the reveal of that bomb.
Ezee E
10-15-2021, 05:31 AM
Sixth episode.
That's a "Pine Barrens"-level all -time episode I think. Works totally on its own, but also likely the best episode of the season... Incredibly tragic, suspenseful... beginning to end. Wow.
The seventh episode might be a weak spot though. For reasons listed above. The writing for those actors was so bad that I don't think anyone could get around it. Great idea for a game though...
Still don't see us seeing a final game... But two to go!
transmogrifier
10-15-2021, 10:04 AM
Episode 6 is the high point in the series....but [do not read this spoiler until after you see the last episode!!!!!] I fucking hated, hated that they ruined the bittersweet ending for the old guy in Episode 6 by bringing him back in a pointless twist for no real reason except to be twisty (Shyamalanesque, if you were). In retrospect, it ruins an important component of the power of Episode 6.
Ezee E
10-15-2021, 12:28 PM
Prediction for ending...
The gal wins and ends with her on the island that she mentioned.
Kind of hope I'm wrong, but seems like the writer-ly thing to do.
Will find out tonight.
Ezee E
10-15-2021, 11:01 PM
Episode 8 -
They just keep on figuring out ways to throw in twists, but keep them logical within the story. No 046, no!!!!
Ezee E
10-16-2021, 01:27 AM
Final episode:
Thanks trans for making sure I saw final episode.
Gets a little too 'cute' for its own good in terms of twists, but ultimately pays off for me. It wasn't even a "jaw-dropping" twists to me, but just something that makes sense. Also makes me wonder, specifically game 2, what 001 did again. I completely forgot.
The betters were the worst thing about the show. Just poorly written, but luckily, they weren't really a focal point of the show.
Obviously a season 2 will come our way, and will be curious how such a regimented game can be infiltrated. That bomb never went off, which may be the biggest surprise of all to me.
Maybe the most I've "been into" a show since the height of Game of Thrones.
StuSmallz
10-21-2021, 07:54 AM
This post over at Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/korea/comments/q3376g/the_real_reasons_why_foreigner _actors_in_korea/) explains it pretty damn well, I think, for the Korean context at least.As does this video IGN just posted:
https://youtu.be/CGlXqlUbhIk
Wryan
10-21-2021, 04:38 PM
Finished the series. Agreed with trans about the man in finale, but overall still a very strong show.
I keep seeing people saying the show suggests that there are Squid Games being played all over the world, but I never saw any evidence of that. I think a sequel series could be fun, tho I dunno how they'd pull it off.
Ezee E
10-21-2021, 10:15 PM
Finished the series. Agreed with trans about the man in finale, but overall still a very strong show.
I keep seeing people saying the show suggests that there are Squid Games being played all over the world, but I never saw any evidence of that. I think a sequel series could be fun, tho I dunno how they'd pull it off.
I could understand that thought, but didn't see anything that suggested that either.
I feel like the sequel would solely focus on taking down the game itself, which probably opens it up to a much bigger world after the fact. The only way that 456 would be able to get anywhere close at this point is probably by becoming a VIP, which, all eyes are on him, so...
If broad and derivative of some past genre predecessors, at least it makes some smart moves in the overall arc (like moving back in the second episode to allow viewers to see how this game exists within the show's version of reality, and having a parallel, if a bit dumb, infiltration subplot), plus the games are genuinely suspenseful, riveting stuff. So good are they that even the emerging of those already infamous, terrible VIPs doesn't entirely derail that episode, since its game is among the show's best. And the sixth marble one is as great as advertised. Unfortunately the show saves its weakest episode for the finale, but easy to see why this strikes that lightning-in-a-bottle cultural phenomenon.
I keep seeing people saying the show suggests that there are Squid Games being played all over the world, but I never saw any evidence of that.
I could understand that thought, but didn't see anything that suggested that either.
I think it came from those VIPs saying (when first arrived) something along the line of South Korean's version of Squid Game being the best?
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