What have I been doing this week? I’m glad you asked! Here’s what’s been on my watchlist this week:

*Note: My reviews usually contain spoilers. You have been warned. Proceed at your own risk.*

TV

Squid Game (2021)

One of my absolute favourite genres in film and television is survival competitions. Hunger Games, Battle Royale and about a hundred other titles fit into this, but this was my first time seeing such a high concept show that was based around such simple games. The stark contrast between the children’s playground games and the life-and-death elimination added a layer of tension that was absolutely gripping.

I liked the main intent behind the game-maker’s choice of contestants. People down on their luck, desperate beyond belief and with nowhere else to turn are all treated as equals within the arena of the games, and anyone found disobeying is swiftly and brutally taken care of. Despite its bloody means, there is a fairness to the games that these people were not granted in the outside world, and the reason that so many chose it, not once but twice!

The visual style and directing of the show is something I have never seen executed quite on this level. The Escher-esque labyrinth, the stadium style bunk beds and the incinerators for the gift wrapped coffins each gave a distinct style and mood to each part of the show, bringing a sense of order to the otherwise chaotic world of the contestants. The sets are peppered with little things to capture the eye, and make you wish you could see everything up close

While the story itself had predictable elements for anyone paying attention, it was the characters that made the narrative work for me. Lee Jung-jae managed to make Gi-hun both tragically pathetic and yet relatable. Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo) may seem like the ideal friend, but his holier-than-thou attitude, and his cold and logical thinking make him unendearing as the show progresses. And then there are the infinite cast of characters that populate this universe, be it the players, the host and VIPs or the masked worker ants in the colony making sure everything is running smoothly.

By far my favourite scene, however was Gong Yoo’s cameo as the man offering money to unsuspecting subway riders. Watching his exchange with Gi-hun was made me laugh till I had tears in my eyes despite the tragedy of it all, and I strongly believe he just had a good time slapping Lee about a hundred times.

Squid Game is definitely a phenomenon, gaining an unprecedented amount of popularity. While there are arguably better Korean TV shows out there, this one feels the most palatable to foreign audiences, which probably accounts for its fame. That’s not to say that the show isn’t good, but I just feel that despite being extremely enjoyable, I wish that there were a few more Korean dramas getting the recognition they deserve. Hopefully, Squid Game will help pave the way for future projects, in much the same way the Parasite did for it.