When Squid Game hit Netflix in 2021, its unique premise of combining deadly battles with children’s games captivated millions.
The series raised a burning question for many: is it based on a true story? Let’s clear up the mystery.
No, Squid Game is not based on a true story.
While the show’s dark and twisted premise might suggest otherwise, Squid Game is purely fictional. Its concept was inspired by various manga and anime series rather than real-life events.
Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk explained that the idea emerged during a financially difficult time in his life. In 2008, Hwang struggled to find funding for his script, and during this period, he spent a lot of time in comic book cafes.
It was there that he discovered survival-themed stories, like Battle Royale and Kaiji, where characters in debt participated in life-or-death games to win money.
Hwang’s financial troubles at the time made him relate to these characters, and the idea of entering a deadly game to escape crushing debt became an intriguing concept for him.
In a separate interview, he admitted that if such a game existed, he would have joined to escape his own dire situation.
Hwang also drew inspiration from Japanese comics and animation, though he simplified the games to children’s games for Squid Game, believing they would be more accessible and impactful for the audience.
So, while Squid Game isn’t based on true events, its themes of desperation and debt are very much grounded in the struggles many people face in real life.
Now, all that’s left to do is wait for Squid Game Season 2, which promises new and more dangerous games. Would you want to be a part of such an event if it were real? Let us know your thoughts!
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