Current Events > I seriously don't understand the overhype surrounding Squid Game. It's dumb.

(+) Yeah! (+)

The show is good but not THAT good. All the games are just plain luck or mindless fighting instead of any tactics required (only one I liked was the tug-of-war) and the whole premise is really just a ripoff from the movie/manga, As Gods Will. Literally the first game in As Gods Will is Red Light Green Light and the theme is also on people being forced to play children's game. I also hate how Netflix pushed for a 2nd season even though it's so damn obvious this was meant to be one season only by itself.

They literally killed off all the characters and explained everything about the game and the premise. What more do you want?

Also the popularity makes no sense when you have a much superior show, Alice in Borderland that hardly even have an ounce of that viewership, and that show was released way earlier. To those that haven't watched (which are obviously the casual majority), please watch Alice in Borderlands. For reference, I watched Squid Game first, thought it was the best thing ever... and then I watched Alice in Borderlands and realized now why fans kept saying AiB is better. Because it really is. The games in AiB are actually mindful and very very very hard yet crazy interesting. Comparing the games to that of Squid Game is like comparing a tiger to a cat.

I guess Squid Game only got more popular due to K-drama bias and korean hype. Or maybe people only liked games that dont require much brain cells to process. All you need is the influence from the media and social influencers to contribute to the overpouring, and needless...excessive success and social media spoofs to come along.

You don't see the appeal of seeing desperate people struggle?

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Okay
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MedeaLysistrata posted...

You don't see the appeal of seeing desperate people struggle?

Nevermind, you totally do. I almost followed you. <_<

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It's a good show with great sets, fantastic directing/editing, wonderful use of color, good acting

That has relatable yet entertaining people in ridiclously captivating scenarios...

Even if you don't like it, how can you not see why it's so popular?

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MedeaLysistrata posted...

You don't see the appeal of seeing desperate people struggle?

bruh you'd love AiB then. The show shows true desperation to survive the impossible games

UnfairRepresent posted...

It's a good show with great sets, fantastic directing/editing, wonderful use of color, good acting

That has relatable yet entertaining people in ridiclously captivating scenarios...

Even if you don't like it, how can you not see why it's so popular?

What I mean is compared to a show like AiB, Squid Game shouldn't be more popular by quality alone.

Of course this isnt taking into account chance marketing, word-of-mouth, koreanboo syndrome nowadays etc.

UnfairRepresent posted...

It's a good show with great sets, fantastic directing/editing, wonderful use of color, good acting

That has relatable yet entertaining people in ridiclously captivating scenarios...

Even if you don't like it, how can you not see why it's so popular?

This

Also, I watched AiB 2 days ago, dropped it 5 episodes in because it felt so dull compared to Squid Game

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i watched the first ep.

it just reminded me of this anime watched called Kaiji ultimate survivor where the yakuza captures a bunch of gambling degenerates and have them participate in similar games with similar stakes.

it felt like kind of the same premise so im not sure if i should continue becase i felt like i have already experienced this type of show

coolpal23 posted...

This

Also, I watched AiB 2 days ago, dropped it 5 episodes in because it felt so dull compared to Squid Game

Honestly the only people I hear not feeling the show are those that never even watched it through. Watch to the end and make your judgment again.

Of course the show isnt for everyone either. It's really a matter of whether you're interested in smart intellectual games or just mindless luck games mixed with typical korean soap drama

coolpal23 posted...

This

Also, I watched AiB 2 days ago, dropped it 5 episodes in because it felt so dull compared to Squid Game

It is, Squid game is far superior.

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toyota posted...

i watched the first ep.

it just reminded me of this anime watched called Kaiji ultimate survivor where the yakuza captures a bunch of gambling degenerates and have them participate in similar games with similar stakes.

it felt like kind of the same premise so im not sure if i should continue becase i felt like i have already experienced this type of show

I think what AiB stands out in is the variety of games. The games range from everything, not just card or gambling games. There's plain outright action, intellectual mind-numbing games and best of all are the Heart games, that really works a lot on the game theory aspect. If you want to get the full experience the manga has a lot more to offer since the author side tracks a lot to feature all the possible games out there. And every single game is unforgiving as hell.

bulletproofvita posted...

It is, Squid game is far superior.

no that's because you never watched fully.

edit: anyway looking back, i can see how AiB may not appeal to everyone since the games can get quite complicated at times. That's the beauty of it but sadly most people prefer shallow s*** like 'guess which glass is gonna break hehe'

Squid Game is easier to digest so it appeals to a larger audience. It's not complicated, so there's no barrier for getting into it.

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Mackorov posted...

no that's because you never watched fully.

edit: anyway looking back, i can see how AiB may not appeal to everyone since the games can get quite complicated at times. That's the beauty of it but sadly most people prefer shallow s*** like 'guess which glass is gonna break hehe'

Well I mean I watched the first couple of games in AiB

the first one I thought didnt make sense, it was still 50 50 and if you didnt know the layout of the building you're fucked full stop

The second game, was more luck, and going up against a gun seemed pretty straightforward to me

the third one was just unneccesarily cruel, left a bad taste in my mouth, definitely didn't like that one

the last one I saw with the running, was really dumb, how did they not see "goal" on the bus right at the beginning?

AiB's games to me didnt seem complex, moreso very much luck based, and I'm not down for that, sure squid game has some rng games, but a lot of them were skill based

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All the games required tactics which you could use, compared to just relying on dumb luck like in SG.

coolpal23 posted...

Well I mean I watched the first couple of games in AiB

the first one I thought didnt make sense, it was still 50 50 and if you didnt know the layout of the building you're fucked full stop

The first game isn't actually in the manga but it does provide better entertainment IMO. It relies on observation and remembering the layout of the building. And...

and if you didnt know the layout of the building you're fucked full stop

Yes, that's the point. You're supposed to always think ahead and always be observant even before the game.

The second game, was more luck, and going up against a gun seemed pretty straightforward to me

No, again, strategy. Chisaya just camped at the corner of a building where he could have a bird's eye view of everything and see when the tagger approached. It also made sense because the tagger would start from a lower level first.
To win the game, you cant just run around mindlessly trying every single door. It was better to observe the tagger under the good assumption the tagger would know where the room is.

the third one was just unneccesarily cruel, left a bad tastew in my mouth, definitely didn't like that one

It could actually be solved without anyone dying. Lots of theories floating about but the author has made it clear (in the manga), ALL the hearts games can be solved with not a single participant dying. That's what I find so ingenious (read if you wanna find out). There's the 9 of hearts and 2 of hearts games the show didnt include. The jack of hearts (best freaking backstabbing game ever) and queen of hearts will likely be seen in season 2, depending how they go about it.

the last one I saw with the running, was really dumb, how did they not see "goal" on the bus right at the beginning?

Again, observation. The distance is meant to show how far you're AWAY from the goal, not toward the goal and the game rules are always absolute and consistent with this. It's not like Squid Game where the Front Man can suddenly choose to f*** all the participants up mid-way like he did in the Bridge game. That was really stupid and unfair.

AiB's games to me didnt seem complex, moreso very much luck based, and I'm not down for that

Wait till season 2 or read the manga's face games if you think it isnt complex enough. Especially the King of Clubs and King of Diamonds.

Wow some real "I'm salty AiB didn't do as well" energy here.

Like this topic could have been "If you like Squid Game, watch AiB" not some attempt to put down Squid Game over "things that are better" by your claim alone.

Furthermore:
Mackorov posted...

no that's because you never watched fully.

This is a baloney argument. If someone gave it a chance and bounced off, that doesn't mean they're not allowed to criticize to that level. It means the other show held their interest on its own merits, not just of content, but also on acting, cinematography, and general presentation.

And lastly, pretending Squid Game is a rip-off of "As the Gods Will" is hooey. Your only connection to it is "death game" plus "red light, green light". AtGW is an entirely different story of high school students being forced to play the games, whereas in Squid Game everyone chose to play the game, which is a MASSIVE shift in the overall tone and theme of the show compared to others like it.

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Mackorov posted...

no that's because you never watched fully.

i watched all of AiB but whatever.


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CyricZ posted...

Wow some real "I'm salty AiB didn't do as well" energy here.

Like this topic could have been "If you like Squid Game, watch AiB" not some attempt to put down Squid Game over "things that are better" by your claim alone.

Furthermore:

This is a baloney argument. If someone gave it a chance and bounced off, that doesn't mean they're not allowed to criticize to that level. It means the other show held their interest on its own merits, not just of content, but also on acting, cinematography, and general presentation.

And lastly, pretending Squid Game is a rip-off of "As the Gods Will" is hooey. Your only connection to it is "death game" plus "red light, green light". AtGW is an entirely different story of high school students being forced to play the games, whereas in Squid Game everyone chose to play the game, which is a MASSIVE shift in the overall tone and theme of the show compared to others like it.

The main theme is still on children's games. Also it's not just Red Light Green Light but also the Tug of War game.

Narrowing it down, there arent actually many games left in SG

Oh yeah also...

Mackorov posted...

compared to just relying on dumb luck like in SG.

Complaining the games aren't fair isn't a point against SG. (minor Squid Game SPOILERS) The games aren't supposed to be fair. They're supposed to be entertaining for those watching them. That's part of the theme of the entire show. That's why they'll introduce luck or slightly change the stakes in some games, because all their claims of how the games should be fair is complete bullshit.

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Mackorov posted...

The main theme is still on children's games.

I don't think you know what I'm saying when I say "the main theme".

The main theme of Squid Game is "being poor sucks" with a sub theme of "being rich kinda sucks too but only insofar as you get bored as hell and want to treat the poor like lesser beings".

What you're describing is the framing device for it.

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CyricZ posted...

Oh yeah also...

Complaining the games aren't fair isn't a point against SG. (minor Squid Game SPOILERS) The games aren't supposed to be fair. They're supposed to be entertaining for those watching them. That's part of the theme of the entire show. That's why they'll introduce luck or slightly change the stakes in some games, because all their claims of how the games should be fair is complete bullshit.

So what's with the Front Man complaining how he wants things to be fair when he shot the staff worker?

Mackorov posted...

So what's with the Front Man complaining how he wants things to be fair when he shot the staff worker?

He's bullshitting them. The workers aren't necessarily in on the greater grift. They're just workers.

Also you said that there's nothing more to cover in a second season and I think there's one thing I'd like to know.

What are the circumstances that lead to the cop's brother, winner of a previous game, to become the Front Man?

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CyricZ posted...

He's bullshitting them. The workers aren't necessarily in on the greater grift. They're just workers.

Also you said that there's nothing more to cover in a second season and I think there's one thing I'd like to know.

What are the circumstances that lead to the cop's brother, winner of a previous game, to become the Front Man?

Isnt it already revealed in the end? He does it because he agrees with the old men. It's a good way to bring poor desperate people to have a chance at winning big. At the same time, a good way to weed out the poor people (rationale same as in The Purge)

It's done out of formality too, as seen with how each participant needed to sign a contract and were also given a second chance to quit.

You dont need one whole new season just for that

Mackorov posted...

Isnt it already revealed in the end?

He gave "the reason" from the perspective of the people running it, but is that really his perspective?

And I do for the most part agree that there doesn't really need to be a second season anyway, but we'll see how it pans out.


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I liked both shows. Who cares if one is more popular than the other lol. Like what you like and don't let it bring other shows down

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To be fair, you have to have a very high IQ to understand Alice in Borderlands

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There was also tbat rooftop anime that sorta the same premise.

Netflix has alot of these shows.

Why Squid Game became the one out of all them, not sure tbh.

WingsOfGood posted...

Why Squid Game became the one out of all them, not sure tbh.

I think it's a lot of reasons. One, it's live action. Two it's coming off the heels of Parasite, another really successful Korean work of suspense. Three, and I think the biggest one: the main themes speak to the audience a lot more directly than "trapped and being forced to play".

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I watched both an like both. But I would agree that AiB is better. I had been set to reason a while ago. But never got the chance. So, I might soon

Touch posted...

I liked both shows. Who cares if one is more popular than the other lol. Like what you like and don't let it bring other shows down

I mean, I can see a possible reason. If one did better, it could cause the other one to not get another season And if Im honest, between the two, Id rather see a second season of AiB over SG If it was a choice between the two
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WingsOfGood posted...

There was also tbat rooftop anime that sorta the same premise.

Are you talking about High Rise Invasion? Because that seemed very different to me
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Oh and I admit I haven't watched AiB yet but when the core conceit is "isekai" you're already losing me.

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LinkPizza posted...

I watched both an like both. But I would agree that AiB is better. I had been set to reason a while ago. But never got the chance. So, I might soon

I mean, I can see a possible reason. If one did better, it could cause the other one to not get another season And if Im honest, between the two, Id rather see a second season of AiB over SG If it was a choice between the two

AiB was already confirmed to get a second season

https://www.small-screen.co.uk/alice-in-borderland-season-2-netflix-release-date-revealed/

Also High Rise Invasion was ok. The panty shots fanservice might turn peeps away tho

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Mackorov posted...

much superior show, Alice in Borderland

Sure, Jan.

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Touch posted...

AiB was already confirmed to get a second season

https://www.small-screen.co.uk/alice-in-borderland-season-2-netflix-release-date-revealed/

Oh. I know. I kept track of that show. I meant in general. But its a reason why someone might care about something being more popular
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I also agree. AiB is just way better, no contest.

CyricZ posted...

Oh and I admit I haven't watched AiB yet but when the core conceit is "isekai" you're already losing me.

Coming from someone who's read the manga and trying not to spoil.
It's not actually isekai because the author does explain how the Borderlands came to be in the ending, unlike majority of half-ass isekais. I wouldnt even call it an isekai because the Borderlands is super grounded to reality. You wont see flying unicorns and whatont. And the premise explanation does make realistic sense

LinkPizza posted...

I mean, I can see a possible reason. If one did better, it could cause the other one to not get another season And if Im honest, between the two, Id rather see a second season of AiB over SG If it was a choice between the two

f** yes, AiB definitely needs its second season. The face card games blows everything outta the water. I wanna see how they portray the King of Clubs

All I know about it is the one person that tried to get me to watch it told me that it's like The Hunger Games and Battle Royal. They were doing a terrible job at selling me on this show because I don't like either of those things.

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I can't help but prefer AiB as well.
The whole death game thing is only truly interesting if the actual games are interesting to me. Squid Game's games were straightforward and predictable with the outcome often being a mere bullet which lowered the suspense. Where the show truly shines is the drama that the games create. If it wasn't for the marble game and its outcome I'd rate it a hell of a lot lower.

AiB not only has a more interesting setup with each type of card representing a different way to tackle the game. They also get far more creative with it. I instantly read the manga after season 1 and some of these games are insane. TC mentioned Jack of Hearts and I can't wait to see it in live action. The drama and suspense it creates far exceeds even SG's marble game.
Then there's also the mystery aspect. Where are they? Where is everyone else? Why are they here?
SG's only mystery revolves around the cop's brother and it truly feels like an afterthought. The "mystery" of the organisation itself is nonexistent as "rich assholes having their jollies" would be anyone's first guess. The organisation did have killer aesthetic though. Those suits catch the eye.

All I've said isn't to put down SG as I really do like it. Just to explain why some like TC and I like AiB more.

I feel like people don't like Squid Game because it doesn't have cool games?? When the games are the least important aspect of the show? Like if you're watching for the literal games idgi. It's about the characters and themes.

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MorbidFaithless posted...

I feel like people don't like Squid Game because it doesn't have cool games?? When the games are the least important aspect of the show? Like if you're watching for the literal games idgi. It's about the characters and themes.

Yes I felt for the characters too but end of the day, it's still a show about games to the death. To that regard, the show doesnt take things to the riskiest and most unpredictable extent like AiB does.

To give you an idea,
when you hear the game instructions in SG, you'll be thinking 'Who will win?'
when you hear the game instructions in AiB, you'll be wondering instead 'How the f*** can anyone win?'

Is the 2nd half of squid game really that bad?

MorbidFaithless posted...

I feel like people don't like Squid Game because it doesn't have cool games?? When the games are the least important aspect of the show? Like if you're watching for the literal games idgi. It's about the characters and themes.

The premise and the reason why people even are interested to begin with is hardly what I'd call the least important part of the show. Literally any story is about the characters and themes. People didn't start watching The Walking Dead because of the drama, they did it for the premise of survival in a zombie apocalypse.

Amy Chao posted...

Is the 2nd half of squid game really that bad?

Nah, not at all. It's still good. It has a bit of a meh ending. The English speaking characters introduced are portrayed by people that are apparently just English teachers in Korea and they're absolutely god-awful. That's pretty much the worst things I could say about the show.

I enjoyed it

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TheSavageDragon posted...

Nah, not at all. It's still good. It has a bit of a meh ending. The English speaking characters introduced are portrayed by people that are apparently just English teachers in Korea and they're absolutely god-awful. That's pretty much the worst things I could say about the show.

I want to watch the English dub.

Amy Chao posted...

I want to watch the English dub.

I doubt they've been dubbed over as they are already speaking English. They aren't Korean, they are West Europeans and Americans that live in South Korea. It's not that their English is poor, it's that their acting is on the level of a middle school play.
They aren't a major part of the show though. Think they pop up in the last 2 or 3 episodes

I like AiB as well, but the live action show sucks because the actors are too hammy in their performances. It becomes more distracting than anything. Sometimes acting like an anime character in real life doesn't translate that well. I felt Squid games actors felt more "grounded" in their acting hence why I feel more invested in them. It's the same problem I had when watching the live action version of Battle Royale.

With that said, AiB is interesting because the games are interesting. You're trying to figure out how to beat the games with the protagonists. Squid Games is more about symbolism and the large disparity from the rich and the poor (mostly aimed at South Korea, but totally applicable anywhere). Very simliar to movies like Parasite and Snowpiercer. I think what made SG have a better chance is that because the games are more digestable, it's easier to follow along than AiB where the games sometimes get overly complex where most of the time.

Both are great, but I suggest reading AiB than watching the live action version imo.

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Mackorov posted...

bruh you'd love AiB then. The show shows true desperation to survive the impossible games

I really liked both

I can understand the difference in the appeals of them though in spite of similar premise.
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Prestoff posted...

I like AiB as well, but the live action show sucks because the actors are too hammy in their performances. It becomes more distracting than anything. Sometimes acting like an anime character in real life doesn't translate that well. I felt Squid games actors felt more "grounded" in their acting hence why I feel more invested in them. It's the same problem I had when watching the live action version of Battle Royale.

With that said, AiB is interesting because the games are interesting. You're trying to figure out how to beat the games with the protagonists. Squid Games is more about symbolism and the large disparity from the rich and the poor (mostly aimed at South Korea, but totally applicable anywhere). Very simliar to movies like Parasite and Snowpiercer. I think what made SG have a better chance is that because the games are more digestable, it's easier to follow along than AiB where the games sometimes get overly complex where most of the time.

Both are great, but I suggest reading AiB than watching the live action version imo.

The problem is Squid Game's theme has been done to death already. Yeah, there's an economic disparity in society...who knew. I thought Parasite gave a good portrayal of that already. We dont need yet another theme tacked on it. So will the next Korean Netflix blockbuster be about economic disparity again? And the next?

This is why Koreans lack creativity, man. They're too damn practical.

I like AiB as well, but the live action show sucks because the actors are too hammy in their performances. It becomes more distracting than anything. Sometimes acting like an anime character in real life doesn't translate that well.

I actually felt AiB is way more grounded in acting. In SG, the MC and some characters like the lady acts all over-the-top by shouting and screaming over the most minor things. Maybe it's a k-drama thing, IDK... but why are people only accusing AiB for being anime-like then? If anything the live-action AiB already tries its hardest not to be anime-like. The manga itself is also very much grounded and never follows any anime tropes, apart from Chisaya initially being a perv.

I also really love the theme of AiB, since I've never actually seen a manga do it before. It's very philosophical, something I rarely see in a manga. The death games genre isnt new but this is the FIRST time I've seen an author willing to look deeper into the genre introspectively and bring into the philosophy of life-and-death itself. How much are you willing to sacrifice for yourself or would you do it for others? Why do you want to live for in the first place? Is it wrong to be selfish? What is right and wrong anyway, in a world without laws?

If you read the final chapter, you'd know this is the theme the author maintains consistent with from beg. to end. The whole manga gives a life lesson on introspecting life itself and what it truly means to you. This author is not just a good artist, he has the bits and pieces of knowledge in almost all areas of academics, from philosophy to psychological to maths to economics and game theory to even survival knowledge etc. Probably because he actually went to university unlike most mangaka that only go to art school...

Honestly the most talented manga author ever