Is Squid Game Inspired by True Events?
Delve into the gripping world of Squid Game as it prepares to make a comeback on Netflix with The Challenge reality series Uncover the truth behind this intense drama: is Squid Game truly inspired by real events?
Is 'The Challenge' on Netflix based on a true story? The popular South Korean series 'Squid Game', which gained immediate fame upon its 2021 Netflix debut, is set to return to the screen with a reality series inspired by the original show. This series depicts a secret competition in which 456 contestants of all ages compete in life-or-death children's games, such as Red Light Green Light and Tug of War.
The pool of players quickly diminishes, either by being shot by guards or falling to their death in Hopscotch. While entertaining, it is also horrifying, leading to the question: is Squid Game based on a true story?
Is Squid Game based on a true story?
Squid Game is not inspired by a true story, but rather by anime and manga. The show portrays ordinary people forced to participate in deadly games by wealthy individuals in order to erase their debts and win a large sum of money. While the show's criticism of capitalism may resonate with real-life struggles, it is not based on any real murderous games, as far as we know.
The Hollywood Reporter spoke with creator Hwang Dong-hyuk about the show's beginnings. "In 2008, I had a script that I was trying to get funded for a movie, but it didn't happen," he explained. "I ended up in a tough financial situation and spent a lot of time reading comics in cafes, particularly those involving surviving death games like Liar Game, Kaiji, and Battle Royale."
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"After reading stories about individuals in debt participating in high-stakes games, I found myself deeply immersed in the concept, especially since I was facing financial struggles of my own. It made me entertain the idea of joining such a game, if it were real, in order to win a large sum of money and escape my dire circumstances."
Manga and anime had a significant impact on Squid Game and Hwang's other works. "I openly acknowledge that I have drawn a lot of inspiration from Japanese comics and animation throughout the years. When I first started, I was struggling financially and spent a lot of time in cafes reading comics like Battle Royale and Liar Game," Hwang revealed to Variety. "I began to imagine how I would feel if I were a participant in these games. However, I found the games to be too intricate, so instead, I focused on incorporating children's games into my own work."
Squid Game: The Challenge Batch 1 (Episodes 1-5) arrives on Netflix on November 22. You can find out more about the show below:
Editor's P/S
Squid Game, a gripping South Korean series that captivated audiences upon its 2021 debut on Netflix, is set to make a comeback with a reality series titled The Challenge. The original show depicted a secret competition where 456 contestants, ranging in age, participated in deadly versions of children's games like Red Light Green Light and Tug of War. As the series progresses, the number of players dwindles rapidly as they are either shot by guards or eliminated in gruesome ways. While Squid Game is undoubtedly entertaining, its dark and violent nature raises the question: is it inspired by true events?
The answer is no. Squid Game is not based on a true story. Rather, it draws inspiration from anime and manga, particularly those involving survival and death games. The show's creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, revealed that he was heavily influenced by works like Liar Game, Kaiji, and Battle Royale. These stories depict individuals in debt participating in high-stakes games, a concept that resonated with Hwang as he was facing financial struggles of his own.
