‘Squid Game’ gets the green light

Following the release of Netflix show “Squid Game,” the drama has quickly become one of the most-watched series on the streaming service. With a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 96%, the South Korean survival drama has sparked the interest of viewers worldwide. 

The film series directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk was released on Sept. 17. Within days of the release, the nine-episode drama had become a massive success, with many viewers hoping for a second season. The neatly written plot left viewers hooked until the last episode. 

“Squid Game” follows Seung Gi-Hun (Lee Jung-jae), and hundreds of other down-on-their-luck individuals who are in dire need of money. In order to win a hefty fortune of 45.6 billion won (roughly $38.2 million), they accept an invitation to become contestants in a series of childhood games, which soon become deadly.

Throughout the series, viewers are met with thrilling plot twists, dozens of oddly masked men and a police officer who does not know how to put his phone on low power mode. The mesmerizing sets and binge-worthy plot prove not to be for the faint of heart.

Not only has “Squid Game” become the top-rated TV Show (IMDb), but it has also sparked new trends around the world.  

Hundreds of people worldwide have flocked to their kitchens to replicate the honeycomb toffee or “dalgona” candy made from melting sugar and baking soda. In the drama, contestants must cut out their specific shapes — which vary between a circle, star, umbrella or triangle — from the candy perfectly, without breaking it. 

In my experience of trying the trend out for myself, I learned that my butter fingers would lead me to my ultimate downfall. I won… and then I dropped it. 

As an avid Korean drama watcher, the intensity of “Squid Game” greatly differed from the light-hearted shows I usually watched. I hadn’t completely bawled over a film since “Train to Busan.” With the interesting plot line, handful of lovable characters and the appearance of one of my favorite actors (Gong Yoo), “Squid Game” is a show I would not hesitate to rewatch.