The Truth Is Scarier Than Fiction; Squid Game

One of the central themes of Squid Game is the devastating impact of debt. The contestants are individuals burdened by overwhelming financial obligations, from gambling addiction to failed businesses. This premise isn’t far from reality—household debt has reached staggering levels in countries around the world. For instance:

South Korea

where the show is set, has one of the highest levels of household debt compared to income. Many citizens are caught in cycles of borrowing and repayment, much like the contestants in Squid Game.

In the United State

millions live paycheck to paycheck, relying on credit cards and loans just to make ends meet.

The show highlights how debt traps people, leaving them feeling like they have no options but to take desperate measures—a sentiment echoed by many in the real world.

In the series, the players represent the working class, struggling under an exploitative system. They’re lured into the games with promises of wealth but are ultimately treated as disposable pawns. This mirrors the rise of the gig economy, where workers often face instability, low wages, and a lack of benefits.

• Platforms like ride-sharing apps and food delivery services frequently profit from workers who have no choice but to accept precarious jobs.

Just as the Squid Game contestants are at the mercy of the game organizers, gig workers are often beholden to algorithms and companies that prioritize profits over people

The parallels remind us that even in real life, many are caught in systems designed to benefit a few at the expense of the many.

One of the most disturbing elements of Squid Game is the VIPs—wealthy spectators who watch the games for entertainment, indifferent to the suffering of the players. This reflects our culture’s fascination with reality TV, where people’s real struggles, pain, and humiliation are turned into spectacle for viewers.

In real life, the rise of content farms, exploitative game shows, and streaming platforms has blurred the line between entertainment and exploitation. Consider:

Contestants on reality shows who are pushed to their emotional and physical limits for ratings.

Viral videos of individuals in vulnerable situations that are shared without their consent.

The VIPs in Squid Game remind us that, as viewers, we too can become complicit in the suffering of others when entertainment takes precedence over empathy.

The games in Squid Game are a literal representation of the "survival of the fittest," with contestants competing for their lives. This echoes the stark class divisions in many societies, where the rich grow richer while the poor struggle to survive.

In South Korea, the gap between the wealthy elite and the struggling middle and lower classes has become a major source of social tension.

Globally, billionaires’ wealth has surged while poverty rates remain high, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The show’s brutal commentary on how those at the bottom are pitted against each other for the benefit of the elite hits uncomfortably close to home.

One of the most horrifying subplots in Squid Game involves a group of guards harvesting organs from dead contestants to sell on the black market. As shocking as this seems, organ trafficking is a real-world problem.

According to the World Health Organization, illegal organ trade is a lucrative business, with thousands of vulnerable individuals being coerced into selling their organs or having them taken without consent. The subplot serves as a stark reminder of how desperation and inequality make people vulnerable to exploitation

Throughout Squid Game, contestants are told they have a choice: they can leave the game at any time. However, the harsh realities of their lives outside the game force them to return, highlighting how systemic issues often leave people with no real options

This mirrors real life, where many are forced into exploitative jobs or situations because they lack alternatives. Whether it’s due to poverty, lack of education, or societal pressures, the "choice" is often an illusion.

The contestants in Squid Game are constantly monitored, their every move watched by guards and cameras. This parallels the increasing surveillance culture in our modern world:

Governments and corporations collect vast amounts of data on individuals, often without their knowledge or consent.

Social media platforms and apps track behaviors, creating a society where privacy is increasingly rare.

The constant surveillance in Squid Game is a chilling reminder of how control is exerted in both overt and covert ways in real life.

The use of childhood games in Squid Game adds a layer of dark irony to the series. These innocent, nostalgic activities are turned into deadly trials, emphasizing how innocence is lost in the face of desperation.

This juxtaposition serves as a metaphor for how the competitive nature of society often strips away joy and innocence, forcing people into cutthroat battles just to survive.

One of the most unsettling aspects of Squid Game is how easily the contestants are dehumanized. They are identified only by numbers, and their lives are treated as expendable. This mirrors real-world systems where vulnerable populations—such as refugees, migrants, or the homeless—are often stripped of their individuality and dignity.

In a world where policies and institutions prioritize profit and power over human life, Squid Game forces viewers to confront the consequences of dehumanization

At its core, Squid Game is a story about hope and despair. The contestants cling to the hope of winning the prize money, but their journey is filled with betrayal, loss, and heartbreak. This reflects how, in the real world, hope is often used as a tool to manipulate and exploit the desperate.

Whether it’s false promises of upward mobility or get-rich-quick schemes, the exploitation of hope is a recurring theme in both the series and society at large.