MrBeast and Companies Keep Missing the Point of Squid Game

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Despite not yet having a second season, Squid Game continues to captivate audiences worldwide on Netflix, breaking viewership records once more. Numerous businesses and content producers have attempted to capitalize on the show’s popularity, but their attempts often fail to grasp the essence of the series. The games in Squid Game may be unforgettable, but they represent only a fraction of the larger message that the series aims to convey.

The debut season of Squid Game attracted a staggering 330 million viewers worldwide, accumulating over 2.8 billion hours of viewing time since it first aired in September 2021 (as reported by Variety). This massive international fanbase has continued to grow, and the viewership for Season 2 has also been exceptionally high following its initial release.

It’s clear to see why attracting the massive appeal of that particular game has become a major goal for companies such as Netflix, along with others like MrBeast who have embraced its vibrant and grandiose storylines. However, these aspects are not what makes the series popular in the first place.

Squid Game is a tragic thriller about class, desperation & death

Glancing at it superficially, Squid Game appears to be an ingenious blend of concepts. The juxtaposition of innocent-looking children’s games with lethal consequences offers a mix of nostalgia and dark wit. Generous financial rewards serve as an enticing draw. Moreover, the characters are compelling and well-portrayed, making them unforgettable.

The worldwide acclaim for this series didn’t originate from ‘a collection of vibrant, playful games,’ but rather from their high-stakes nature and the heart-wrenching relatability of the premise. Fundamentally, it served as a sharp critique of capitalism, portraying players who are so deeply in debt that they resort to risking their lives out of desperation for other options.

The show’s roots can be traced back to when the creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, was struggling financially and found himself immersed in stories about death games, all while deeply in debt.

He shared that he found himself deeply engaged in tales about people in debt participating in life-or-death contests, as he was personally experiencing financial hardship. Intriguingly, he admitted that if such a game were real, he would enthusiastically participate, hoping it could help him escape his dire predicament and accumulate a substantial amount of money.

As a devoted fan, I’ve always found these games to be more than just fun, they’re profoundly moving and at times, maddeningly frustrating. Yet, there’s something ironically captivating about them, much like a kaleidoscope of emotions hidden within a vibrant exterior. Any project that overlooks the essence of tragedy and raw emotion inherent in this series misses its heart and soul completely.

Some shows you just can’t commodify (but everyone tries)

As an ardent fan, I must admit that the show was deeply critical and tragic in nature, with the games often proving fatal and far from enjoyable for the majority of contestants. It seemed to revolve around faceless billionaires deriving amusement at the expense of the less fortunate. One might assume such a series would be difficult to commercialize, but that hasn’t deterred a corporation from attempting to do so.

Back in 2021, YouTube sensation and Beast Games creator MrBeast created his own version of the popular series (excluding the fatalities, of course). This production set new benchmarks, earning accolades from the Squid Game’s creator among others. However, it wasn’t free from criticism, with some arguing that it deviated from the original’s message.

As a devoted fan, I found myself questioning Netflix after they released Squid Game: The Challenge, their official spin-off series. While I appreciated the attempt to keep the Squid Game universe alive, I couldn’t help but notice that some critics and viewers felt the new show missed the mark set by the original series.

In response, the game show producer tried to justify the series’ departure from its anti-capitalist themes by stating it was only a “small part” of the original Squid Game. However, this statement seemed to overlook the fact that the crippling debt and desperation portrayed in both seasons were central aspects not just of the plot, but also of the series’ resonance with audiences. This suggests a potential misunderstanding of the premise and the reasons behind Squid Game’s widespread appeal.

Even Domino’s Pizza has joined the trend, partnering with Netflix for “Squid Game: The Experience”. Their statement reads, “For those who have watched Netflix’s Squid Game, you know that losing is the worst-case scenario. But don’t worry, Domino’s is here to change that by offering a year’s worth of free pizza and introducing an ’emergency pizza’ service.

For sure, free pizza’s nice. But let me clarify something about Squid Game. When players lost, it wasn’t just an inconvenience or a disappointment. No, they faced a far graver consequence – violent death. In some cases, this happened in full view of their loved ones. Moreover, the Recruiter often spoke of them as if they were mere commodities, similar to livestock, and their organs were frequently harvested.

In summary, it’s challenging to commercialize the appeal of Squid Game due to its roots in relatable themes such as the struggle with debt and the perceived heartlessness of the wealthy elite. The popularity arises from these universal experiences that resonate deeply with viewers.

Under global capitalism, these factors are universally apparent and often lead to resistance when companies introduce colorful simulations of violent games or death. It may be worth considering alternative approaches instead.

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2025-01-17 02:10