The 8 Show

Not sure what the other reviews saying it's not similar to Squid Game are referring to. It's definitely not similar in quality , but its message and theme are identical. The game makers have essentially preyed upon people in difficult life circumstances to play a game for their amusement. Just like Squid Game it was inevitable that would involve strategic deception between the characters and violence.

Many of the ideas used with the games within the show are interesting , but ultimately end up feeling underwhelming. Further, while you do end up feeling some connection to the characters by the end of the series it pales in comparison to those in Squid Game.

If another season was made I'd probably still watch it, but also won't be spending any time hoping for a season 2.

Let's start strong, if you like dystopian and bleak set up for stories, you could defintely like this series, but there are many unfortunate situations due to poor screenplay that waste all the potential of the premise.

Even if good portions of the setting is stolen from here and there, the overall situation is enough unique and brings to the table many things to keep you interested and intrigued, but for some reason, many of the problems about our society that this series seems to want to emphasize, get actually nowhere, cause the plot gets progressively more unreasonable, episode by episode.

I don't want to spoil anything, but I suggest to come prepared, this series seems way better than it actually is at first glance, but many times you can't really relate with what happens because it's just way to unbelievable.

While the design and style of the new Korean Netflix series definitely seems inspired by squid game, the story itself is based on a Webtoon called "Pi Game".

Which was released throughout 2020~2021.

I'd say this is a Great, and even a Better adaptation of the original.

It has lots of Humor, Violence, and a sharp, deep insight in modern social structures...

Though it shares lots of similarities with Squid game, The platform, etc... The 8 show feels different and new. And clever.

While it does have some flaws, If you are a fan of survival game genre, This series is for you.

Enjoy the show.

This drama blends the gameplay and brutality of the Korean show Squid Game, the Japanese series Kaiji, and the Spanish movie Platform. While Some Korean dramas have become somewhat predictable, often ending in forced emotional climaxes that evoke tears, I still found this show quite entertaining. It offers numerous lessons, delving into human psychology and nature, as well as philosophical ideas like democracy, communism, socialism, dictatorship, and utilitarianism. The watchers monitoring through CCTV cameras in the drama could represent the elite globalists at the top of the capitalist pyramid, or they could symbolize us. After all, most of us likely enjoyed the show as mere spectators rather than feeling disturbed by it. Still, I always like and want to support this style of drama. That's why I believe it deserves at least an 8 out of 10. This drama had too many of his monologues and it was a bit annoying, so I deducted 1 star.

P. S. While watching Squid Game, I couldn't help but notice the irony that the creators and investors of "The 8 Show," including Netflix, are likely not members of the ordinary working class. Yet, they seem to be fans of George Orwell's Animal Farm. They seem to know us very well, understanding that instead of resisting upon learning the truth, we tend to accept reality and even strive to climb higher within the system's pyramid.

The premise of the show might give Squid Game like impressions (Koreans playing money game for a big cash prize.) However, the 8 Show is nothing like Squid Game.

Instead, the show is more thought provoking and it is even more precise and harsher criticism on the society we live in, with much more humor than Squid Game. Each episode is filled with very interesting and brilliant ideas. The structure of the show is very thought-out. The acting is amazing. The cinematography and music are also perfect. However, the best part of the show is in the message. Behind its ruthless depiction of the the social structure, the show makes us question about our common misconception of "justice" and "fairness" in a very original way. After all, we are all born into random social classes just like the characters in the 8 show.