South Korean actor O Yeong-su, widely recognized for playing Oh Il-nam (Player 001) in Netflix’s Squid Game, has been sentenced to one year in prison after being convicted of indecent assault. The 80-year-old was initially handed an eight-month prison term with a two-year probation period. However, a more recent court ruling has increased the sentence to one year of imprisonment. The charges stem from incidents in which O Yeong-su was accused of forcibly molesting a woman on two separate occasions — allegations he has consistently denied. During a hearing on Thursday, April 3, prosecutors described O as a seasoned theatre actor with nearly 50 years of experience who had “sexually harassed a junior colleague lacking power within the troupe.” Local media reported that prosecutors claimed the victim had lived in fear both professionally and personally since the events took place. They also criticized O’s response, alleging he caused further harm by stating, “I did it with the heart of a father” instead of offering an apology. Prosecutors highlighted the consistency in the actor’s statements since the allegations first emerged, using this to argue for a one-year sentence aimed at supporting the victim’s healing and discouraging similar offenses. In contrast, O Yeong-su’s legal team denied all charges, arguing the case relied solely on the victim’s testimony, which they said lacked clarity, consistency, and logical detail. They also noted that the actor had only formally responded to the accusations to avoid controversy that could negatively impact Squid Game, which had recently brought him international recognition at the time. Addressing the court, O expressed deep regret over his situation. “It’s humiliating to stand trial at this age,” he said. “If I said or did anything inappropriate, I’ll accept the judgment. But I don’t believe my actions amounted to assault.” He added, “If, during a brief interaction, my careless words or actions caused pain, I’m sorry. In an instant, everything I built in 80 years has crumbled. I feel empty. I just want to return to where I belong.” The accusations date back to 2017, when the actor allegedly hugged and kissed the victim against her will near his home — an incident he has repeatedly denied. The final verdict in the appeal trial is scheduled to be delivered on June 3.

The hit South Korean series Squid Game took the world by storm when it debuted in 2021, redefining the survival-thriller genre with its high-stakes, win-or-die competitions. With the release of its much-anticipated second season, the franchise continues to captivate audiences with its intense, suspenseful storytelling. Inspired by the show’s gripping challenges and ruthless survival format, game developers have brought similar high-stakes gameplay to mobile platforms. Whether you're looking for a battle royale-style showdown or a strategic survival test, these Squid Game-inspired Android and iOS games in 2025 will keep you on edge. Android and iOS Games for Squid Game Lovers . Squid Game: Unleashed Netflix, the producer and publishing company of the Squid Game, has developed the official gaming iteration of the series, the Squid Game: Unleashed. Released on Dec. 13, 2024, on both Android and iOS platforms, the game is an immersive win-or-die tournament that vibes with dark, suspenseful, and gripping gameplay. Read more: February 2025 Video Game Releases: Top Titles You Can’t Miss Players will choose a character and jump into the arena to survive until the last of a session. Each session challenges the players, even with a deadlier game, to test their survival instincts. Squid Game: Unleashed is a real-time battle royal multiplayer that sets the perfect ground for an exciting gaming experience with friends while reminiscing the sequences from the series. The game boasts a 4.0-star rating on Google PlayStore and a 4.8-star rating on the App Store. It runs on a minimum of Android 8.0 and iOS 16.0 versions and requires around 2GB of internal storage to be downloaded. Squid Game 2 Squid Game 2, developed by Acacia Games, is among the few mobile games that live up to fans’ expectations for a realistic Squid Game experience. The developers have done a tremendous job in setting a 3D world illuminated by oversaturated neon-focused colors that reflects the source’s thematic tone. Read more: How To Make Money Playing Video Games The gameplay, including different levels and rules, feels like a direct nod to the TV series. Gamers grapple with making the right decisions and the right moves while overcoming unexpected challenges and reaching the finish lines. The high-octane multiplayer game is available on the App Store with a 4.5-star rating. Players must have 436.6MP of free space in their Apple devices running on iOS 12.0 or later versions. Crab Squid Game WhyMe brought the Crab Squid Game, also known as Crabbie Minigames, on Mar 15, 2024, to immerse players in a thrill-punched fun multiplayer gaming experience. Packed with diverse interactive minigames, the Crab Squid Game allows gamers to compete virtually for the top spot. The excitement even heightens with the capacity to communicate with other gamers while fighting them to death. Each minigame takes place in a distinct, exhilarating environment full of challenges to overcome and requires players to survive as the last person in the arena. Players can download the game from PlayStore to an Android device with 139MB of internal storage and Android 7 or higher versions. Read more: Top 8 Free High Graphics Winter Games for Android and iOS in 2025 K-Sniper Challenge 3D The world setting in Homa Games’ K-Sniper Challenge 3D resembles the one in Squid Game, but it sets players on a rather different track. Gamers play from the perspective of the sniper who shoots contestants the moment they fail to cope with the game’s rules. As a part of the contest management team, gamers’ only goal is to ensure zero winning chances for the contestants. It takes them to be super agile with their moves and controls to shoot a contestant precisely and instantly. The chilling game is available on the App Store with a 4.6-star rating and can be downloaded on Apple devices with 225.6 MB internal storage and 12.5 or higher iOS versions. It received its latest update on October 15, 2024. Squid Challenge Run 3D Now, let’s hop on the ultimate test of survival in the pixelated world of the Squid Challenge Run 3D. Infused with a blood-raging contest similar to Squid Game’s, Squid Challenge Run is an action-packed, fast-paced number that maintains a rather simple gameplay without turning back on the real thrill. Gamers will run for their lives while avoiding tricky traps only to get on a tougher challenge. Read more: 10 Best-Selling Video Games of 2024 First appearing on PlayStore on December 17, 2024, the Squid Challenge Run 3D requires 54MB of storage and a minimum Android 7 version.  Conclusion Squid Game redefines the traditional concept of a thriller and places it in a more modern setting. The sentiment of the series cuts deep into the contemporary social challenges and people’s desire to make quick money. It will be hard for the fans to overcome the impact of the invigorating latest season. Indulging in these fun-to-play and exciting Squid Game-like Android and iOS games may help them pass the hangover while injecting metered doses of the same thrill. Read more: 7 Most Hyped Virtual Action Games Releasing in 2025

The highly anticipated second season of Squid Game, the acclaimed South Korean Netflix series, premiered on December 26. At the heart of its success lies an extraordinary ensemble of characters who bring depth and intensity to the show’s ruthless survival games. These compelling figures not only endure life-threatening challenges but also illuminate profound ethical conflicts, revealing the complex nature of human desperation. Here’s a closer look at eight of the most unforgettable characters in this gripping K-drama phenomenon. 8 Most Impactful Characters of Squid Game Season 2 . Seong Gi-hun: Player 456 | Lee Jung-jae Over three years since emerging as the lone survivor, Seong Gi-hun channels his wealth and resolve into dismantling the deadly games, relentlessly pursuing the elusive recruiter. Once a compulsive gambler buried in debt, his transformation into a compassionate and morally conflicted figure is both profound and inspiring. His journey from defending Il-nam (Player 001) to embracing his role as a solitary challenger to the game’s system epitomizes growth and resilience. Lee Jung-jae’s masterful portrayal imbues the character with tenderness and unwavering resolve, solidifying him as a protagonist audiences won’t forget. Read more: January 2025 K-drama Lineup: 10 Must-watch Premieres Kim Jun-hee: Player 222 | Jo Yu-ri Entering the tournament while pregnant, Kim Jun-hee embodies determination and grit throughout the games. Her ability to stand up to Lee Myung-gi reflects her evolution, even as her backstory remains unseen. A blend of pragmatism and vulnerability makes her relatable, while her acceptance of Kim Young-mi’s fate showcases her unflinching realism. Her quieter demeanor and refusal to adopt the hero archetype set her apart, earning respect through subtle strength rather than spectacle. From her anguish in vulnerable moments to her unshakable resolve, she leaves an indelible mark on the season. Cho Hyun-ju: Player 120 | Park Sung-hoon Driven by her desire to fund her transformation and inspire others like her, Cho Hyun-ju’s journey in the tournament is both powerful and poignant. In the heart-stopping Glass Bridge game, her heartfelt confession about joining not just for herself but for those who feel unseen resonates deeply. Read more: January 2025 South Indian Movie Releases: 12 Must-Watch Films to Kick Off the New Year Her vulnerability stands in stark contrast to the game’s calculated cruelty, bringing a humanizing element to the chaos. Her selflessness and bravery shine through, making her one of this season’s most impactful characters. Jang Geum-ja: Player 149 | Kang Ae-shim Steered by her son’s overwhelming debts, Jang Geum-ja enters the deadly tournament only to discover her son is also a participant. Despite her initial shock and regret after the harrowing Red Light Green Light round, she pushes forward with unwavering courage. Her fiery spirit, shaped by her experiences in the Vietnam War, and her compassionate nature make her an unexpected highlight of the season. While her occasional prejudiced remarks prevent her from topping the rankings, her evolving friendship with Cho Hyun-ju hints at her capacity for growth. Jang Geum-ja’s grit and depth ensure she remains a standout figure in the series. Read more: January 2025 Hindi Films Lineup: 10 Most-hyped Bollywood Releases

Returning to the set of Squid Game for its highly anticipated second season, Lee Jung-jae admitted it felt as though he had never left. “I had been living with Gi-hun for two years, including promotions,” the actor shared in a recent interview, adding, “I really felt like I was him.” The global phenomenon, which debuted in 2021, captivated audiences with its dark premise of a deadly competition where individuals in debt compete in childhood-inspired games for a chance at financial freedom. The series became Netflix’s most-watched show and garnered prestigious accolades, including Primetime Emmy Awards for Lee and director Hwang Dong-hyuk. The success propelled Lee’s career to new heights, landing him at the Cannes Film Festival and in his first English-language role for Disney+’s Star Wars series The Acolyte. New details of ‘Squid Game’ season 2 revealed When Netflix ordered a second season, Lee initially questioned the timeline, recalling how the first season took years to develop. However, Hwang surprised everyone by drafting not only season two but also a third and final season in just six months. “I’m not sure I can write something that fast again,” Hwang admitted. The director noted that crafting new characters came naturally, but deciding Gi-hun’s trajectory was the most challenging part. Lee praised Hwang’s work, calling him “a genius” after reading the scripts. Korean actor Yang Dong-geong, a new cast member, acknowledged the pressure of following up a successful first season. “There’s a Korean saying, ‘There’s not a sequel that does better than its prequel,’” Yang remarked. Despite the challenges, season two has already received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Drama Series, signaling high expectations. 'Squid Game' star Lee Jung-jae debuts as director in Cannes The show’s international appeal continues to elevate careers. Lee Byung-hun, reprising his villainous role from season one, reflected on how Squid Game brought him global recognition after over three decades in the industry. “If Squid Game makes people curious about my earlier work, nothing could bring me greater joy,” he said. New cast member Jo Yu-ri revealed that the audition process was rigorous, with months between callbacks. Reflecting on landing the role, she said, “I remember crying when I got the part.” Netflix enforced strict secrecy around casting announcements, though close friends celebrated the milestone privately. The Squid Game franchise is expanding, with a second season of its reality competition show already confirmed and an English-language adaptation in development. Meanwhile, post-production on season three of the original series is underway. Squid Game: Netflix Original Korean Web Series gets worldwide popularity Season two hasn’t been without controversy. One of the new characters is transgender, portrayed by actor Park Sung-hoon. Hwang acknowledged criticism over the decision not to cast a transgender actor but explained that it reflects the limited representation of LGBTQ individuals in Korean media. “Unfortunately, marginalized groups like the LGBTQ community are not widely accepted in Korea,” Hwang said, emphasizing that the team conducted thorough research but could not find a suitable transgender actor. He defended Park’s casting, calling his performance “the perfect fit” for the role. As anticipation builds for the next installment, the cast and crew remain optimistic about continuing the story of Squid Game while navigating the pressures of global success and cultural sensitivities.

“Succession” and “Ted Lasso” are in the hunt for Emmy nominations that could add to their previous trophy hauls, but they’re up against hungry newcomers. When the bids are announced Tuesday, the social satire “Succession,” a 2020 top-drama winner, may face a showdown with “Squid Game.” The South Korean hit about a brutal survival contest is vying to become the first non-English language Emmy nominee. The Emmys once were dominated by broadcast networks and then cable, with the rise of streaming services changing the balance of power and perhaps the awards themselves. The possibility of Netflix’s “Squid Game” joining the Emmy mix is the result of streaming’s global marketplace focus. Other possible drama contenders include the modern Western “Yellowstone,” workplace thriller “Severance” and “Yellowjackets,” a hybrid survival and coming-of-age tale. Potential competition for “Ted Lasso,” which claimed seven trophies including best comedy last year, includes the inaugural seasons of “Abbott Elementary” and “Only Murders in the Building” — both popular and critical successes. Also read: Walking the red carpet at Cannes, Shuvoo skims the zenith Past top comedy winner “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” also is vying for nods. There are a number of outgoing shows looking for some final Emmy love. Among dramas that includes “This Is Us,” and “Ozark,” with “Insecure” and “black-ish” on the comedy side. Jean Smart, last year’s best comedy actress winner for “Hacks,” is in the running for a nod again, as is the series, with “Ted Lasso” star Jason Sudeikis hoping to repeat his 2021 comedy actor win. Bill Hader is chasing a third award in the category for “Barry.” “The Crown,” which dominated the 2021 drama awards, wasn’t televised within the eligibility period and is sitting this year out. Also read: 'Squid Game' star Lee Jung-jae debuts as director in Cannes JB Smoove (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Melissa Fumero (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”) and Television Academy Chairman and CEO Frank Scherma were to announce the nominees. The Emmy ceremony is set for Sept. 12 and will air on NBC, with a host yet to be announced.    

Lee Jung-jae, the award-winning star of Netflix's “Squid Game,” spent years developing the 1980s-set Korean spy thriller “Hunt” before electing to direct himself. He did it a little reluctantly, without big plans to continue filmmaking. But Lee did have a vision for what it could be — and where it could premiere. “Before deciding to direct, I thought I just wanted to make a very fun film,” Lee says. “After I got my hands on it and started writing the script myself, I actually wanted to come to Cannes. Because I wanted to come to Cannes, I had to find the subject matter that would resonate with the global audience.” Few actors know more about capturing the attention of the global audience than Lee. Already one of Korea's top movie stars, the 49-year-old Lee is at the nexus of the “Squid Game” phenomenon, starring in the dystopic series that — subtitles and all — became Netflix's most-watched show in some 90 countries. Now, Lee is in Cannes to premiere “Hunt," which is playing in Cannes’ midnight section and being shopped for international distribution. The film will test how far Lee can further extend his already borderless career. Earlier this year, Lee signed with the Hollywood powerhouse agency CAA. And he grants that he has some Hollywood ambitions. Also read: Walking the red carpet at Cannes, Shuvoo skims the zenith “Working in Hollywood would definitely be a good experience for me,” Lee said in an interview in Cannes shortly before “Hunt” premiered. “If there was a good fit for me, a good character, I’d definitely like to join. But right now, I feel like global audiences are wanting more Korean content and Korea-made TV shows and films. So I would work in Korea as well very diligently. I might seem a little greedy, but if there was a role for me in Hollywood, I’d definitely like to do that, too.” But if Lee's ascension to being an increasingly world-renown actor typifies the pop-culture power of today's Korea, his film is set in an earlier, less harmonious chapter in Korean history. “Hunt” takes place several years after South Korean president Park Chung-hee was assassinated in 1979 by the chief of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, a coup that ushered in the military dictatorship of Chun Doo-hwan. “Hunt” is loosely inspired by his subsequent 1983 assassination attempt orchestrated by North Korea. “The ’80s in Korea was when we had the rapidest growth ever,” says Lee. “But democracy didn’t grow as much because there was a military dictatorship and the media was under full control of the government. So I did hear a lot from the older generation and my parents about those government controls. I also witnessed myself college protests.” “Hunt” grippingly follows a pair of agents (one is played by Lee, the other by Jung Woo-sung) who are both assigned to uncover a North Korean mole within the agency. Lee — not merely dipping his toe into a modest directorial debut — proves skilled at mounting large-scale action sequences and marshalling a dense plot while managing to keep the suspense up. Also read: Tom Cruise and 'Top Gun: Maverick' touch down in Cannes “A lot of people told me that I should change the setting to now,” Lee said, speaking through an interpreter. “But in the ’80s, there was a lot of control of information and people were trying to benefit from fake information and misinformation. I think that still exists now in 2022. Still there are groups that try to benefit from these controls of information and propaganda. “We now live in a global world that’s connected,” he adds. “We don’t have any silos between us. If there’s a problem or issue, we have to all work on it to overcome it.” Lee is often asked how his life has changed since “Squid Game” by Western journalists who might be less familiar with his nearly three decades as a top star in Korea in films like “An Affair,” “New World” and “The Housemaid.” Lee laughs. “It’s natural because a lot of people in the West might not have known me before ‘Squid Game.'" That's changing rapidly, though. Lee will return for season two of “Squid Game,” which the series' creator Hwang Dong-hyuk recently said should be expected in 2023 or 2024. The first season already led to Lee becoming the first Asian actor win the Screen Actors Guild Award for best male performer. Lee was so surprised — aside from considering himself an underdog, he’s a big “Succession” fan — that he never managed to pull out the speech he had written in his pocket. “It still,” Lee says smiling and shaking his head, “seems like a dream to me.”

The Korean drama, thriller, horror fiction series Squid Game was released on Netflix in September 2021. This drama series was at its peak of popularity within a few days of its release. While the Squid Game's making cost is around $21 million, Netflix earned more than $900 million. The first had 9 episodes. Now there is speculation about releasing the Squid Game Season 2 on Netflix. However, there is no official announcement yet. But different sources have been expecting that Netflix will announce the next season anytime soon. Here is what we know about Netflix Web Series Squid Game season 2. Squid Game Netflix: Background Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of the squid game series, started working on this story in 2008. However, the idea of a squid game series came to his mind before 2008. At that time, he used to visit a manga café in Korea regularly. LIAR Game, Battle Royale and Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji Manga inspired Dong about the Squid Game. He prepared the preliminary draft by 2009. Dong approached different production houses in Korea with his draft. But no houses showed any interest as the plot was strange and unrealistic. So, what was the plot? Let's have a look. Read Telugu Film RRR: Lifetime Record Breaker and the Pride of Indian Cinema The series is a story of some defeated and troubled people who are frustrated in the battle of life. In this series, 456 debt-ridden contestants take part in a special game. The final winner will get 39 million US dollars. On the other hand, each eliminated person will get killed. This was the main plot, and the players had to take part in 6 different games in a 9-episode series.

The latest vibe to the global tide of Korean pop culture is the Netflix Original Korean Web Series ‘Squid Game’. Most viewed TV shows of the week, most streamed web programs, most discussed topics on social media; all of these records are now in the possession of Squid Game. Within decades of the Gangnam style, Squid Games have made a royal appearance alongside BTS on social media. Let's take a look at the details of this sensational web series. Netflix original ‘Squid Game’ at a glance The South Korean TV series was released worldwide from Netflix on September 17, 2021. Hwang-dong-hyuk is the screenwriter and director of this thriller drama series. The series, set in the context of the Dystopian period, is named after a game of Korean children. To win the game, a team tries to put their feet on the head of a squid painted on the floor. Another group, on the other hand, tried to prevent them from approaching the design. Read:‘Squid Game’ strikes nerve in debt-ridden South Korea The drama shows 456 players competing to win the prize worth 45.6 billion. However, the main purpose of the competition is to feed the entertainment of western investors. Gradually as the game pushes each player against each other, players realize they are stuck in a maze of death. The series stars Park Hae-soo, Lee Jung-Jae, Wi Ha-Joon, O Yeong-Soo, Jung Ho-Yeon, Heo Sung-Tae, Kim Joo-Ryoung, and Anupam Tripathi. Read Munshigiri: Another Epic Creation of Amitabh Reza Featuring Chanchal Chowdhury The TV series, produced by Siren Pictures Inc. has so far shown a season of 9 episodes. Behind the popularity of ‘Squid Games’ One of the reasons behind the rise of Squid Games is the subtitles in 37 languages and dubbing versions in 34 languages. That’s why the screenplay of helpless adults winning children's games has been well received by the audience. Moreover, the series lovers have been able to pay attention to the characters as they have not exaggerated the whole drama with the details of the game. And in this way, the TV show has tried to impress the viewers with the drama of various characters. The series surpassed 13 million followers on social media in the first three weeks of its premiere. Read James Bond Movie 'No Time to Die' is Finally Going to Be Released Not to mention the credit for Netflix, which accounts for 45.8 percent of OTT's industry-leading digital content.

“Squid Game," a brutal Netflix survival drama about desperate adults competing in deadly children’s games for a chance to escape severe debt hit a little too close to home for Lee Chang-keun. The show has captivated global audiences since its September debut, becoming one of Netflix’s biggest hits. It has struck raw nerves at home, where there’s growing discontent over soaring personal debt, decaying job markets and stark income inequalities worsened by financial crises in the past two decades. In the dystopian horrors of Squid Game, Lee sees a reflection of himself in the show’s protagonist Seong Gi-hun, a laid-off autoworker coping with a broken family and struggling with constant business failures and gambling problems. Seong gets beaten by gangster creditors into signing off his organs as collateral, but then receives a mysterious offer to play in a series of six traditional Korean children’s games for a shot at winning $38 million. The South Korea-produced show pits Seong against hundreds of other financially distressed players in a hyper-violent competition for the ultimate prize, with losers being killed at every round. Read:James Bond Movie 'No Time to Die' is Finally Going to Be Released It is raising disturbing questions about the future of one of Asia’s wealthiest economies, where people who once crowed about the “Miracle of the Han River” now moan about “Hell Joseon,” a sarcastic reference to a hierarchical kingdom that ruled Korea before the 20th century. “Some scenes were very hard to watch,” said Lee, a worker at South Korea’s Ssangyong Motors who struggled with financial difficulties and depression after the carmaker laid him and 2,600 other employees off while filing for bankruptcy protection in 2009. After years of protests, court battles and government intervention, Lee and hundreds of other Ssangyong workers returned to work in recent years. But not before a spate of suicides among co-workers and family members who were plunged into financial misery. “In Squid Game, you see characters scrambling to survive after being laid off at work, struggling to operate fried chicken diners or working as ‘daeri’ drivers,” who get paid for driving drunk people home in their own cars, Lee said. “That reminded me of my co-workers who died.” Lee said he and his colleagues struggled to find work and were backlisted by other auto companies that considered them militant labor activists. A 2016 report by Korea University medical researchers said at least 28 laid-off Ssangyong workers or their relatives died of suicide or severe health problems, including those linked to post-traumatic stress disorder. Squid Game is one of many South Korean shows inspired by economic woes. Its dark tale of inequality and class has drawn comparisons with Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning “Parasite,” another pandemic-era hit with stunning visuals and violence exposing the underside of South Korea’s economic success story. South Korea’s rapid rebuilding from the devastation of the 1950-53 Korean War has been spectacular –- from Samsung’s emergence as a global technology giant to the immense popularity of K-pop and movies that’s expanding beyond Asia — millions of South Koreans now grapple with the dark side of that rise. Read:Scarlett Johansson, Disney settle lawsuit over 'Black Widow' “Class problems are severe everywhere in the world, but it seems South Korean directors and writers tackle the issue with more boldness,” said Im Sang-soo, a film director. In Squid Game, Seong’s troubles trace back to his firing a decade earlier from the fictional Dragon Motors, a nod to Ssangyong, which means “double dragon.” Hundreds of workers, including Lee, occupied a Ssangyong plant for weeks in 2009 to protest the layoffs before being dispersed by riot police who besieged them, assaulted them with batons, shields and water-cannons and dropped tear gas cannisters by helicopter. That violent standoff injured dozens and is woven into Squid Game's narrative. Seong has flashbacks about a Dragon coworker killed by strikebreakers while organizing fellow game participants to create barricades with dormitory beds to block murderous sneak night attacks by more vicious opponents looking to eliminate the competition. Ultimately, it's every person for themselves in Squid Game's cruel battle royale between hundreds of people willing to risk even their lives for a shot at freeing themselves from the nightmare of insurmountable debts. The show features other crushed or marginalized characters, like Ali Abdul, an undocumented factory worker from Pakistan with severed fingers and a boss who refuses to pay him, epitomizing how the country exploits some of the poorest people in Asia while ignoring dangerous working conditions and wage theft. And Kang Sae-byeok, a pickpocketing North Korean refugee who had known nothing but rough life on the streets and is desperate for money to rescue her brother from an orphanage and to smuggle her mother out of the North. Many South Koreans despair of advancing in a society where good jobs are increasingly scarce and housing prices have skyrocketed, enticing many to borrow heavily to gamble on risky financial investments or cryptocurrencies. Read:Tomorrow: Bangladeshi Animation Film on Climate Change at Cannes World Film Festival Household debt, at over 1,800 trillion ($1.5 trillion), now exceeds the country's annual economic output. Tough times have pushed a record-low birth rate lower as struggling couples avoid having babies. Squid Game’s global success is hardly a cause for pride, Se-Jeoung Kim, a South Korean lawyer based in Poland, wrote in a Seoul Shinmun newspaper column. “Foreigners will come to you, saying they too watched Squid Game with fascination, and may ask whether Ali’s situation in the drama could really happen in a country that’s as wealthy and neat as South Korea, and I would have nothing to say,” she said. Kim Jeong-wook, another Ssangyong worker who spent months with Lee perched atop a chimney at a Ssangyong factory in 2015, demanding their jobs back, said he couldn't watch Squid Game after episode one. “It was too traumatic for me,” he said.