The return of Squid Game for its highly anticipated second season strikes a powerful chord in a world where class divides and distrust of the wealthy have reached a fever pitch.
The show’s premise, where desperate individuals compete in deadly games for a cash prize while ultra-wealthy patrons watch from the sidelines, taps into real-world anxieties about economic inequality.
Originally resonating deeply with South Korean audiences facing a severe economic crisis, the show’s themes now seem just as relevant in the United States, where the middle class is shrinking, and skepticism toward billionaires is growing.
In Squid Game season one, the stakes were stark—456 players risking their lives for a chance at a life-changing sum, symbolizing the lengths people are willing to go to escape financial ruin.
The show’s success was no accident; it highlighted the exploitation of the poor by the ultra-wealthy, a theme that resonated beyond South Korea, especially in America, where class mobility is increasingly difficult.
While Squid Game is not the first to explore class conflict, its approach is unique. In the U.S., most people still identify as middle class, even though the percentage of middle-class households has been steadily declining.
A 2024 Gallup poll showed that 54% of Americans still see themselves as middle class, even as the reality of economic disparity becomes more apparent. This disconnect between perception and reality has made Squid Game particularly impactful, as it lays bare the desperation of those at the bottom of the economic ladder.
The second season of Squid Game, arriving at a time when public distrust of the ultra-rich has reached new heights, may have an even greater cultural impact. With increasing anger toward perceived social inequities, the show’s dark portrayal of class struggle seems more relevant than ever.
While South Koreans may have related to the show’s themes on a national level, Americans are now grappling with similar feelings of desperation and resentment, making Squid Game’s return particularly timely.
In addition to its main series, Netflix capitalized on the success of Squid Game by introducing Squid Game: The Challenge, a reality TV version that underscores how entertainment has normalized watching people risk injury and humiliation for fame and fortune.
This shift in entertainment mirrors the broader societal trends highlighted in the show, as it magnifies the growing divide between the wealthy elite and the rest of society.
As Squid Game continues to resonate with global audiences, it raises the question of whether Hollywood will dare to explore these darker, more uncomfortable themes of class struggle.
With more Americans leaning into the harsh realities of economic inequality, Squid Game’s return may be just the beginning of a larger conversation about the future of wealth, power, and the price of survival.