Squid Game season 1 revolves around a group of 456 debt-ridden individuals who are invited to compete in a series of deadly children's games for a massive cash prize. The games are orchestrated by a mysterious organization led by an elderly man. As the contestants participate, they form alliances and betray each other to survive. The protagonist, Seong Gi-hun, a gambling addict, navigates the treacherous games, uncovering the dark secrets behind the competition and the motivations of its enigmatic organizers. Ultimately, Gi-hun wins the game but is left deeply disturbed by the experience and vows to dismantle the system.
1997: Asian Financial Crisis Influence
In 1997, the Asian financial crisis influenced Gi-hun's story, particularly the loss of his job and lack of education, which led him to take predatory loans to survive.
2008: Hwang Dong-hyuk's Script Investment Failure
Around 2008, Hwang Dong-hyuk faced investment failures for a movie script and personal financial struggles, leading him to read survival manga.
2008: Script Development
Since at least 2008, director Hwang Dong-hyuk worked on the script for Squid Game.
2009: Inspiration from SsangYong Motor Strike
In 2009, the background of Gi-hun was inspired by the organizers of the SsangYong Motor labor strike against mass layoffs.
2009: Inspiration for Squid Game
Throughout 2009, Hwang Dong-hyuk conceptualized and began writing the script for what would become Squid Game, inspired by his own financial difficulties and survival manga.
2011: Release of Silenced
In 2011, Hwang Dong-hyuk successfully released the crime drama film 'Silenced'.
2014: Similarity Criticism
In 2014, some critics noted the show's similarity to the Japanese film 'As the Gods Will', but director Hwang Dong-hyuk clarified that he'd been working on the script since 2008 and any similarities were coincidental.
2017: Release of The Fortress
In 2017, Hwang Dong-hyuk successfully completed the historical drama film 'The Fortress'.
2018: Netflix Seeks Overseas Productions
In 2018, Netflix's co-CEO Ted Sarandos announced the company's interest in finding international productions outside of America, coinciding with Netflix opening an Asian division in Seoul.
September 2019: Netflix Announces Production of Squid Game
In September 2019, Netflix formally announced that they would produce Hwang Dong-hyuk's 'Squid Game' as an original series.
2019: Comparisons to Parasite
In 2019, critics started comparing Squid Game favorably to the South Korean film 'Parasite', citing similar themes of class divide and wealth inequality.
June 17, 2020: Squid Game Casting Confirmation
On June 17, 2020, the casting for the first season of Squid Game was officially confirmed.
October 2020: Production and Filming
Production and filming of Squid Game season 1 ran from June to October 2020, including a month-long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with island set pieces filmed on Seongapdo.
December 2020: Bridgerton's Viewership Numbers
In December 2020, Bridgerton received 82 million views in its first 28 days.
September 5, 2021: Itaewon Station Squid Game Set Exhibit
On September 5, 2021, a replica of Squid Game's set was exhibited at the Itaewon station in Seoul, before being prematurely closed due to COVID-19 concerns.
September 2021: Doll Replica Exhibition in the Philippines
In September 2021, a replica of the doll used in episode one of 'Squid Game' was exhibited on Ortigas Avenue in Quezon City, Philippines.
September 17, 2021: Squid Game Season 1 Release on Netflix
On September 17, 2021, the first season of Squid Game, a South Korean dystopian horror survival thriller television series created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, was released on Netflix.
October 3, 2021: Squid Game remains top viewed program
From September 27 to October 3, 2021, Squid Game remained the top-viewed program on streaming media, reaching over 3.26 billion minutes watched in the U.S., making it the most-viewed streaming program to date in 2021.
October 2021: Youku announces Squid Victory
In October 2021, Chinese online video platform Youku announced plans to launch the season Squid Victory (鱿鱼的胜利, Yóuyú de Shènglì) in 2022, drawing criticism for plagiarizing Squid Game.
October 2021: Potential Video Game Adaptation
In October 2021, Netflix Asia's executive Kim Minyoung mentioned that the company was exploring a possible video game adaptation of Squid Game.
October 2021: Netflix estimates Squid Game value at nearly $900 million
In October 2021, Netflix estimated that Squid Game had generated nearly US$900 million in value based on viewer data, with a production cost of $21.4 million. Other streaming services started seeking regional content outside Hollywood due to Squid Game's success.
October 2021: HoYeon Jung becomes Louis Vuitton global ambassador
In October 2021, fashion brand Louis Vuitton announced HoYeon Jung as their new global ambassador for fashion, watches, and jewelry, following her performance in Squid Game.
October 2021: SQUID cryptocurrency scam emerges
In late October 2021, an unaffiliated cryptocurrency scam named SQUID started trading, with plans to back a site for online games inspired by Squid Game.
October 16, 2021: Saturday Night Live parodies Squid Game
On October 16, 2021, an episode of Saturday Night Live, hosted by Rami Malek and Pete Davidson, parodied Squid Game by singing a country song about the season.
October 25, 2021: Squid Game Doll Installation in Olympic Park
On October 25, 2021, a Squid Game doll was installed in Olympic Park, Seoul.
November 1, 2021: SQUID cryptocurrency crashes
By November 1, 2021, the backers of the SQUID cryptocurrency pulled out, crashing the currency and making off with $2.1 million in a "rug pull" scam.
November 5, 2021: Saturday Night Live's Squid Game parody song gains popularity
As of November 5, 2021, the country song parodying Squid Game on Saturday Night Live had over 9.6 million views on the show's YouTube channel.
November 2021: HoYeon Jung signs with Creative Artists Agency
By mid-November 2021, HoYeon Jung was the first lead actor of Squid Game to sign on with Creative Artists Agency.
November 2021: Netflix Revamps Viewership Metrics
In November 2021, Netflix revamped its viewership metrics based on total hours watched, with Squid Game leading with over 1.65 billion hours within its first 28 days.
January 2022: Young-hee Vinyl Figure Release
In January 2022, Netflix licensed Squid Game for merchandising, releasing a Young-hee vinyl figure.
July 2022: Squid Game Most Watched Show on Netflix
As of July 2022, Squid Game remained the most-watched show on Netflix based on the first 28 days of viewing, ahead of Stranger Things 4.
2022: Squid Game Imagery in South Korean Presidential Election
As the season was introduced ahead of the 2022 South Korean presidential election, several candidates used Squid Game imagery and themes in their campaigns, addressing economic disparity.
2022: Youku changes Squid Victory to Game's Victory
In 2022, after facing criticism for plagiarism, Youku apologized and changed the name of its upcoming show from Squid Victory to Game's Victory.
September 2023: SK Broadband and Netflix agree to partnership and drop lawsuit
By September 2023, SK Broadband and Netflix agreed to drop the lawsuit regarding increased broadband usage and maintenance costs, opting to become partners instead.
December 2024: Squid Game Season 2 Release
In December 2024, the second season of Squid Game was released.
June 2025: Squid Game Final Season Release
In June 2025, the third and final season of Squid Game was released.
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