The violent and intense themes in Netflix’s Squid Game are deeply rooted in a real historical conflict from South Korea. While the show is fictional, it draws heavy inspiration from the violent events of the 2009 Ssangyong strike, which left a lasting impact on the workers involved.
The second season of Squid Game, released on December 26, 2024, explores themes of economic desperation and inequality, mirroring the real struggles faced by workers in South Korea during the strike.
A scene from Squid Game Season 2 (Credit: Netflix)
In May 2009, Ssangyong Motor, one of South Korea’s largest car manufacturers, laid off more than 2,600 workers due to financial difficulties. This decision led to a prolonged and violent 77-day strike.
Workers occupied the factory, demanding their jobs back, but the government and police responded with brutal force, using rubber bullets and tasers.
The violent confrontation left many workers severely beaten, while others faced long-lasting emotional and physical trauma.
The aftermath of the strike was devastating, with many workers facing legal challenges and severe financial hardships. Tragically, about 30 workers, overwhelmed by the ongoing struggles, took their own lives.
One of the strike’s leaders, Lee Chang-kun, recounted spending 100 days atop a factory chimney in protest, enduring mental distress and hallucinations, highlighting the emotional toll the strike took on all involved.
Hwang Dong-hyuk, the director and creator of Squid Game, was deeply influenced by these events when crafting the show’s narrative.
Squid Game Season 2 (Credit: YouTube)
The character of Gi-hun, a laid-off worker who enters a deadly competition for a life-changing prize, was inspired by the real-life workers who fell from middle-class stability to utter desperation.
Dong-hyuk emphasized that the show reflects how ordinary people can suddenly lose everything and be forced to fight for survival in extreme ways.
As Squid Game Season 2 continues to delve into the themes of economic struggle, desperation, and the human condition, it offers a chilling reflection on the real violence and hardships faced by workers in South Korea over a decade ago.
In the highly anticipated Squid Game Season 2 , one of the most exciting additions to the cast is Choi Seung Hyun, better known as T.O.P., a member of the famous K-pop group BigBang.
T.O.P. makes his return to acting in the dystopian thriller, where he plays a character referred to as Player 230, who has a striking purple hair and has been dubbed “Thanos” by fans.
This nickname hints at the character’s potential for villainous traits, similar to the infamous Marvel villain, Thanos, who is known for his ruthless and destructive behavior.
T.O.P.’s involvement in the series has generated a lot of buzz, as it marks his first major role in acting since his departure from BigBang in 2022.
BigBang member: T.O.P as Player 230 in Squid Game Season 2 (Credit: YouTube)
Despite the excitement surrounding his casting, T.O.P.’s participation in the series has also sparked controversy, especially due to his past legal issues, including a 2017 marijuana scandal that led to a fine and a suspended sentence.
These events had led to his stepping away from the public eye for some time.
However, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong Hyuk has defended the casting choice, stating that T.O.P. was selected through an audition process and has worked hard to prepare for his role in the series.
The addition of T.O.P. alongside other K-pop stars such as Jo Yuri of IZ*ONE in Season 2 is part of the growing trend of K-pop idols expanding their careers into acting.
Fans are especially excited to see how T.O.P.’s powerful stage presence will translate into his portrayal of the mysterious and possibly menacing Player 230.
T.O.P (Credit: YouTube)
While the full depth of his character will only be revealed as the season unfolds, the early glimpses of his role have already captured the attention of audiences, with his purple hair and intense aura signaling that Player 230 could become one of the most memorable figures in the Squid Game universe.
Season 2 of Squid Game was released on Netflix on December 26, 2024, and it promises to delve deeper into the dark, suspenseful world of the deadly games, with new twists and challenges that are expected to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Fans of both the show and T.O.P. are eager to see how the combination of his star power and the high-stakes drama of Squid Game will create a new layer of tension and intrigue for the series.
As more episodes are released, it’s clear that Player 230 will play a crucial role in the unfolding drama, and his character’s journey is one fans will be watching closely.
