Squid Game

For someone who has seen Alice in Borderland and loved it, I see this series as a more mature and rawer version, without fantasies. Criticism of the capitalism of today's society, ironic how it turned out, becoming everything it criticized.

Decent 8/10.

Just watched whole 9 episodes and my favorite was the 6th, Gganbu. Not perfect nor a masterpiece, but this is very well made and provides a certain level of emotional experience. The overall show was far beyond things that were shown in trailer. Very well directed, performed, and finding its own unique points from the genre mixture of various references such as Gambling Apocalypse : Kaiji, Battle Royale, and so on. Just hope all others enjoy this show not only in Korea but also everywhere!

Ps. Even to Korean ears, VIPs' English conversations were not well written nor performed. I think the drama could stand well enough without their presence and save the budget.

The first season of Squid Game was nothing short of groundbreaking, earning a well-deserved 9/10. It introduced a rich tapestry of characters, with Kang Sae-byeok and Song Gi-hun standing out as particularly memorable. The script masterfully balanced suspense and emotional storytelling, making viewers deeply invested in the characters' fates. The "games" were not only creative and thrilling but also served as a sharp critique of societal structures, keeping audiences hooked from start to finish.

Unfortunately, the second season was a significant letdown, feeling like a pseudo-disaster in comparison. The script was riddled with illogical moments, and the plot lacked depth, becoming one of the most boring narratives I've ever watched. Character development was virtually nonexistent, with the main character devolving into a dull, idiotic, and delusional shadow of their former self. The acting ranged from mediocre to outright poor, further diminishing the season's impact.

The games, once the heart-pounding highlight of the series, were uninspired and poorly executed, lacking the cinematic flair that made the first season unforgettable. It felt as though the creators had run out of ideas, delivering a predictable and frustratingly shallow storyline.

While the first season showcased the best of Squid Game's potential, the second tarnished its legacy. I've tried to overlook the second season's flaws, but its glaring issues make it hard to hold onto my initial admiration. What once felt like a solid 9/10 show now struggles to even reach a 7/10. The magic of Squid Game was in its originality and emotional resonance, and the second season failed to capture either.

Comparisons to Season 1 are nonsensical. Season 1 was an original concept that stood and succeeded on its own, which cannot be the case for subsequent seasons.

The best thing about Season 2 is the acting. The cast is absolutely great! Where Squid Game 2 feels lacking, is in its refusal to resolve ANY of the multiple threads in this season. There are many ways to build suspense, but the laziest one is where you just refuse to answer any questions you raised for an entire seasons, leaving it to be addressed in Season 3. It is quite evident that the show is now a lot less interested in telling a satisfying story and more invested in stretching the franchise into a multi-season subscription-retention machine.

My God the actors who potrayed the VIP people cannot act. I cringed everytime they said a line. It felt like they were just reading them. Even the intonation was off. It was like when we were kids and had to read a play in class and we exagerated the intonation. Terrible, just awful.