Squid Game

Squid Game The South Korean survival drama created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, has captivated global audiences since its release on Netflix in September 2021. The series masterfully blends social commentary with intense, high-stakes drama, exploring themes of inequality, desperation, and human morality.

Squid Game (Korean originally titled Round Six is a South Korean dystopian survival thriller television series created, written and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk for Netflix. The series revolves around a secret contest where 456 players, all of whom are in deep financial hardship, risk their lives to play a series of deadly children's games for the chance to win a ₩45.6 billion prize. The series' title draws from ojingeo ("squid"), a Korean children's game. Lee Jung-jae leads an ensemble cast.

The series' characters, led by the protagonist Seong Gi-hun, bring diverse perspectives and moral dilemmas to the forefront, making the narrative relatable and thought-provoking. Squid Game not only became Netflix’s most-watched series but also sparked global discussions about class disparities, survival instincts, and the ethics of entertainment.

The first season of Squid Game was released worldwide on September 17, 2021, to critical acclaim and international attention. It became Netflix's most-watched series and received numerous accolades, including six Primetime Emmy Awards and one Golden Globe. Production for the second season began in July 2023, and was released on December 26, 2024. The third and final season was filmed back-to-back with the second season and is scheduled to be released in 2025.

Squid Game


Revised Romanization	Ojing-eo Geim
McCune–Reischauer	Ojingŏ Keim
Genre	Dystopian Survival Thriller Horror
Created by	Hwang Dong-hyuk
Written by	Hwang Dong-hyuk
Directed by	Hwang Dong-hyuk
Starring	Lee Jung-jae Wi Ha-joon Lee Byung-hun
Music by	Jung Jae-il
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	16 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Kim Ji-yeon Hwang Dong-hyuk
Producers	Han Heung-seok Kim Ji-eun (Season 2)
Cinematography	Lee Hyung-deok (Season 1) Kim Ji-yong (Season 2)
Editor	Nam Na-yeong
Camera setup	Multi-camera
Running time	33–76 minutes
Production company	Siren Pictures Inc.
Budget	US$21.4 million (Season 1) ₩100 billion (Season 2-3)
Original release
Network	Netflix
Release	September 17, 2021 – present
Related
Squid Game: The Challenge