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Commentary: ‘Squid Game’ finale lays bare a reality: The wealthy win and nice guys finish last

BBG News

Rich people suck.

2021 saw a powerful statement with Netflix’s Korean thriller “Squid Game”. It depicted the stark reality of wealth and social divide through a deadly competition, where financially struggling participants engaged in a sequence of childhood games. As affluent viewers wagered on their survival chances, the masked elite watched the violence unfold from a lavish, hidden viewing area, puffing cigars and laughing at each grisly demise. Remarkably, “Squid Game” broke records as Netflix’s most-watched series to date.

It appeared that Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), the victor of “Squid Game” Season 1, was about to receive his due justice. After enduring a string of gruesome challenges, including a deadly game of hopscotch on a glass bridge and a red light-green light contest with lethal consequences, he seemed poised for revenge. Witnessing the senseless deaths of innocent people at the hands of pink guards, fellow players, and even their own reckless decisions, Gi-hun prepared himself for retribution.

However, contrary to expectations, the final six episodes of “Squid Game” now available on Netflix have taken an unexpected turn. Instead of delivering the anticipated, timely retribution against the wealthy, it shifted into critique about the majority – those who aren’t billionaire entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, or Jeff Bezos. It’s as if we were drawn into a deadly game of double dutch, with two massive mechanical children wielding a 10-ton metal rod in place of a jump rope. Apparently, we must have done something significant to end up in such an unusual predicament.

Television

In simpler terms, creators Hwang Dong-hyuk and actor Lee Jung-jae discuss the underlying themes of the last season of their Netflix show, particularly focusing on human nature, avarice, and the political system of democracy. They explore how these elements are reflected within the storyline.

In a compelling manner, “Squid Game” illustrates that given the right conditions, ordinary individuals can exhibit the same levels of greed and moral degradation as the extremely wealthy, regardless of whether their financial struggles arise from unexpected medical costs, compulsive gambling, or generational poverty. Push an average person to their limits, and they may become just as relentless as the tycoon who dominates them.

In Season 3, the story continues right from where it ended in Season 2. Gi-hun finds himself once more within the covert gaming facility nestled within a mountain on an isolated island, reclaiming his identity as Player 456 amidst a fresh batch of contestants. His strategy was to secretly undermine the organization by orchestrating a rebellion against the VIPs and Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), the masterminds behind these games. However, it seems his plan has fallen through as he’s now surrounded by guards, the allies who fought with him are no more, and he’s forced to compete again among those who survived due to their cowardice.

Elections symbolize the essence of every democracy, as depicted in the series “Squid Game”. In this show, characters are repeatedly asked to vote on whether to continue competing or quit and share winnings with others. The majority’s choice consistently leads to sacrificing lives for money. This is a recurring theme that resonates with creator Hwang Dong-hyuk’s concerns about the state of South Korea’s democracy, which will be further explored in Season 3. In essence, he warns us that while voting holds power, disregarding the common good for personal gain can have dire consequences, a message that should resonate with many Americans today.

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled about the prospect of “Squid Game” Season 3 pushing the boundaries even further. Instead of doling out retribution to the wealthy, as one might expect, Hwang chooses to shine a bold light on a harsh reality that seems increasingly relevant today: Wealth triumphs over morality, and power trumps responsibility. The good-hearted aren’t just left behind; they’re crushed, just like everyone else in lower tax brackets, regardless of their commitment to humanity.

The popular Korean series concluded recently with an installment hinting at a potential Hollywood follow-up. This final episode, set in Los Angeles, features a familiar predicament. A struggling individual encounters a enigmatic, elegantly dressed character who employs a simple childhood game to measure the person’s desire for wealth against their ability to endure embarrassment and discomfort.

For individuals who’ve seen “Squid Game”, it marks the beginning of Gi-hun’s transformative journey, culminating in a glimmer of redemption amidst a chasm of darkness. A enigmatic character, seemingly a recruiter for a fresh, English-speaking version of “Squid Game”, is introduced. This character is portrayed by an illustrious actress – Cate Blanchett – in a city known for its self-centeredness and elite status. The game of “Squid Game” has been given a new stage to play out.

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2025-06-28 13:31

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