Movies

In ‘Squid Game’ Season 3, a critique of democracy comes to the fore: ‘It’s like a jungle’

BBG News

This article contains many spoilers for Season 3 of Netflix’s “Squid Game.”

The series ‘Squid Game’ is a suspenseful, intricate thriller where struggling individuals are lured into playing deadly versions of childhood games for the entertainment of unseen wealthy figures. Beneath this appealing facade, creator, writer, and director Hwang Dong-hyuk has skillfully intertwined social and political commentary with the intense storyline of protagonist Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae). As the plot progresses, the characters’ desperation becomes more palpable, causing these messages to surface from beneath the vibrant, sweet-treat exterior.

According to Hwang, as these ideas became more articulate, they “naturally evolved to be more prominent and powerful” as the narrative progressed.

The highly popular Netflix series, which currently holds the title as their most-watched non-English show, concludes its run on Friday with the release of its third season. This everyman character, Gi-hun, will have completed his journey in a way that beautifully illustrates Hwang’s themes about late-stage capitalism, where winners and losers are defined, and how it can twist and ruin lives. Additionally, it shows how those with ill intentions can manipulate the weaknesses in a democratic system for their own gain.

Hwang expressed that Season 3 of their work is about individuals who have been defeated in life’s game, as well as those deeply affected by the turbulent political climate. He further explained that the world portrayed, driven by unrelenting greed, resembles a jungle where only the strong survive, with people climbing over each other to get ahead. This conversation took place during a video call from New York earlier this month, facilitated through an interpreter alongside Lee.

In the third season, Gi-hun’s hands get covered in blood during the competition, as stated by Hwang. He commented, “This is the first time he has taken a life in the games. This individual who represented innocence now carries the original sin because of the impact society has had on him.” Hwang continued, “Gi-hun’s struggle to recover from this event is central to Season 3. In essence, we can relate to his situation due to the pressures of capitalist societies and unstable political climates. Gi-hun serves as a symbol for what many people experience today.

In Season 1, we first encounter Gi-hun as a struggling gambler. As he navigates through a brutal series of games designed by ruthless children, his tough exterior is gradually chipped away, leaving behind a fundamentally good yet imperfect individual. What sets Gi-hun apart is his unwavering conviction in his beliefs, and his unexpected rise as the victor of these games, which brings him sudden wealth.

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Writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk and actor Lee Jung-jae share that the central character’s upcoming voyage is going to emphasize pursuing justice rather than just survival.

However, once he ascends that pinnacle, Season 2 propels him back down the roller coaster, engrossing him in an unquenchable thirst for vengeance against the wealthy spectators who sponsor the game and the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), the mastermind behind it. Righteous indignation pushes Gi-hun to the edge of his mission to dismantle these games, but his efforts are cruelly thwarted in a violent turn of events. In Season 3, he’s left shattered and almost catatonic with remorse. With him absent, the less aggressive players find themselves in a chaos-ridden phase, leading to an unprecedented opportunity for the damaged protagonist to seek redemption.

In Lee’s assessment, Hwang’s writing meticulously illustrates the internal transformations in Gi-hun’s character, revealing its intricate layers. You’ll observe a shift in Gi-hun’s convictions at times, and moments when he questions his beliefs. However, amidst these changes, he perseveres in his search for hope and determination.

I’m simply expressing that I feel incredibly fortunate. Finding individuals like Gi-hun isn’t commonplace; it’s been an immense privilege to have encountered him,” he concludes.

Lee’s public appearances in favor of “Squid Game” present a nearly comical juxtaposition with the character of Gi-hun. In real life, he is movie-star handsome, refined, and always impeccably dressed. However, as Gi-hun becomes more and more disheveled during Season 3 of the show, Lee appears to be in a state of disarray.

For more than a year, Jung-jae followed an exceptionally strict diet to truly embody, outwardly, the suffering and brokenness that his character endured. This allowed him to effectively convey, through his appearance, the emptiness and desolation he felt, both mentally and physically,” Hwang stated, speaking as an admirer of Jung-jae’s dedication to his craft.

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‘Squid Game’ is back for Season 2, and Player 456 is on a crusade to end it

The popular Korean Netflix show resumes, continuing from where Season 1 ended, with Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) determined to dismantle the game completely.

The games in the show aren’t just harmful to Gi-hun; they also impact other characters significantly. One unique aspect of this series is its skillful character development that wins over audiences, only to tragically end these beloved figures, much like “Game of Thrones.” Fans may become outraged when trans commando Hyun-ju (Park Sung-hoon), or Player 120, meets an untimely and unceremonious death in Season 3. Hwang is prepared for the potential backlash.

“It’s not me who did it! It was 333,” he exclaimed, blaming the murderer.

In response to seeing the initial edited version of that death scene, Hwang remarked, “Although I knew it would happen since I wrote and directed it, it still hurt. It felt something like, ‘Come on, not now.’

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, seeing certain characters depart from the screen leaves me feeling quite melancholic… I can’t help but mutter to myself, “Oh, what a heartless director Hwang must be!

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1. As the creator of “Squid Game” Season 3, I had foreseen it and prepared for it, but the pain of its unfolding was still palpable, as expressed by Hwang Dong-hyuk.

2. The character Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri), a participant in the games while expecting, unfortunately met her end in the competition, according to No Ju-han / Netflix.

When Hwang queries about the specific instance that stirred such emotions within him, Lee promptly references another cherished character, Jun-hee (played by Jo Yu-ri) from Season 3, describing her demise as “deeply touching.

Lee’s portrayal of Gi-hun, full of sensitivity yet adapting through chaos, fear, and violence amidst vibrant green and pink backdrops, has made the character an exceptional gauge for Hwang’s criticism of a system that breeds colossal winners and losers, teetering on destruction. He embodies Hwg’s central themes, serving as a living emblem of his work.

Lee commented, “Director Hwang seems to be more like a concept artist in my opinion. His visuals aren’t just aesthetically pleasing; they carry deep meaning as well. It’s like he’s constructing a Lego castle, layer upon layer, with each piece having significance – every dialogue, editing choice, and use of music.

As Season 3 heats up, some of Hwang’s symbolism becomes more overt. In one competition, contestants tightly grasp keys that look like crucifixes as one player guides others with zeal, whether it results in good or bad outcomes. A character’s triumphant moment takes place before a painted rainbow, which is also connected to the LGBTQ+ community in Korea. Furthermore, Hwang’s complex criticism of democracy becomes more evident.

In contrast to Season 1, where contestants had a single opportunity to end the game collectively, in Seasons 2 and 3, votes are cast following each contest. As more competitors are eliminated, the prize money accumulates significantly. With just a handful of players remaining, opting to quit implies everyone would walk away unharmed and with a substantial amount of cash. Choosing to continue means, in essence, they are willing to kill for an astronomical wealth.

During past elections, even though we had our disagreements, we managed to find unity; there was a higher level of understanding during conflict resolution. However, it seems that this is no longer the case as elections now appear to widen societal gaps. In Seasons 2 and 3, I aimed to delve into these themes – the deepening divisions caused by elections – which is why voting plays a role in each round.

In simpler terms, Hwang vigorously points out a problem with democracy where the smallest of majorities can force their unappealing policies upon everyone, making life even more difficult for those who opposed them. Ironically, the powerful winners continue to claim in Season 3 that it was a “free and democratic election.

He clarified, “I’m not suggesting a different solution, but instead posing a question because I think we’re overdue for finding one. Last season, I analyzed the inherent flaws in our economic system that produce so many losers due to relentless competition. This season, I portrayed the fallibility of our political system.

As we move into Season 3, it appears that the current economic and political systems have let us down, leaving us with a sense of hopelessness. Hwang expressed this sentiment by saying, “What prospects are left for humanity when we can no longer tame our own insatiable desires?” He wanted to delve deeper into this question, not just posing it to others, but also to himself.

And what has he found? Does he still believe in humanity?

In response, Hwang humbly admitted that while he doesn’t have a definitive solution, his work on ‘Squid Game’ has led him to develop a somewhat skeptical perspective.

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2025-06-27 13:34

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