NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout

    India
    Business
    World
    Politics
    Sports
    Technology
    Entertainment
    Auto
    Lifestyle
    Inspirational
    Career
    Bengaluru
    Delhi
    Mumbai

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    Home / News / Entertainment News / How a real-life incident inspired Netflix's hit show 'Squid Game' 
    Summarize
    Next Article
    How a real-life incident inspired Netflix's hit show 'Squid Game' 
    'Squid Game' creator reveals real-life violence that inspired show

    How a real-life incident inspired Netflix's hit show 'Squid Game' 

    By Tanvi Gupta
    Dec 24, 2024
    05:53 pm

    What's the story

    Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of Netflix's global sensation Squid Game, has revealed that the show was inspired by the violent labor strikes at South Korea's Ssangyong Motor Company in 2009.

    Speaking to AFP, Hwang said that these events inspired the creation of the series' protagonist, Seong Gi-hun.

    The labor unrest stemmed from over 2,600 employees being laid off—nearly 40% of the workforce—due to financial difficulties faced by Ssangyong.

    Series theme

    'Squid Game' reflects workers' struggle and economic disparity

    Hwang further explained that the series mirrors the high-stakes battle for survival faced by workers during the strike.

    The central theme of Squid Game—that anyone can fall to the bottom of the economic ladder overnight—is a stark reflection of the Ssangyong workers' plight.

    Despite its fictional framework, Squid Game struck a chord by exposing systemic issues of inequality, debt, and exploitation—themes that resonate universally.

    Upcoming season

    'Squid Game' Season 2: What to expect?

    The much-awaited second season of Squid Game returns to Netflix on Thursday (December 26). The first season became OTT's biggest series launch in 2019 with over 111 million viewers.

    The new season will see Seong, the former winner, return to take revenge and end the deadly games.

    Hwang made history as the first Asian to win an Emmy for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series for his work on Squid Game.

    Societal impact

    Union leader's perspective on 'Squid Game' and labor rights

    Union leader Lee Chang-kun, who protested against a sentence favoring Ssangyong during the strikes by holding a sit-in for 100 days atop a factory chimney, weighed in on Squid Game.

    He was moved by scenes where Seong struggles not to betray his fellow competitors. But he wished the show had spurred real-life change for workers in South Korea.

    "Despite being widely discussed and consumed, it is disappointing that we have not channeled these conversations into more beneficial outcomes," he said.

    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Latest
    Hwang Dong-hyuk
    Netflix
    Squid Game
    Web Series

    Latest

    Germany ends visa appeal process. How will it affect Indians Germany
    IPL 2025, Jitesh Sharma leads RCB vs SRH: Details here Indian Premier League (IPL)
    Harvard sues Trump administration over ban on foreign student enrollment  Harvard
    'Character assassination': Ammy Virk slams Bollywood for stereotyping Sikhs  Ammy Virk

    Hwang Dong-hyuk

    'Squid Game' creator lost 8-9 teeth due to stress Squid Game
    'Squid Game' S02: What to expect from 'wild, intriguing' games OTT releases
    'Squid Game' star Jung Ho-yeon ends 9-year relationship Squid Game
    'Squid Game' trailer: Player 456 returns to end the game Squid Game

    Netflix

    'Heeramandi' is IMDb's most popular Indian series of 2024  Aditi Rao Hydari
    4 students go missing after being 'inspired' by 'Lucky Baskhar' Box Office
    'Thought he'd let go...': Nayanthara on documentary battle with Dhanush Dhanush
    Netflix star dies at 37 of mystery 'serious illness' Instagram

    Squid Game

    #NewsBytesExplainer: What led to global obsession with K-dramas K-drama
    'Squid Game 2': Every confirmed and potential cast addition  K-drama
    Gong Yoo birthday special: Celebrating Korean actor's remarkable performances Happy Birthday
    Confirmed! Lee Min-jung and Lee Byung-hun expecting their second child K-drama

    Web Series

    Divyanka Tripathi-Jaaved Jaaferi's 'The Magic of Shiri' gets release date JioCinema
    Will 'The Penguin' return with Season 2 Colin Farrell
    Manisha Koirala calls 'Heeramandi 2' her 'project of a lifetime' Manisha Koirala
    'Beyond Fairy Tale' trailer: A behind-the-scenes look at Nayanthara's journey Nayanthara
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2025