Squid Game: The dark side

I lost count of how many times my kids view some episodes of Squid Game repeatedly. But many times, I warned them that the story was not appropriate for their age. But kids these days always have their reasons.

The phenomenal success of Netflix's Korean survival thriller Squid Game, is shocking and unprecedented. According to Netflix, Squid Game has become the most-watched series in its history with over 111 million fans --making it the most prominent series ever launched!

It was a harrowing experience how ordinary children’s games have become sensational and deadly. In the series, people whose worlds are falling apart are tricked into playing a fatal tournament of children's games for a vast amount equivalent to $38M cash. The amount offered is hard to resist, for it can transform their poverty-stricken lives forever, but it can also cost them. The story reveals the actual state of South Korea, known as a very wealthy country, but on the other side, people are struggling and living in poverty. The wide gap between the rich and poor is an undeniable truth.

Now, what is the dark side of this TV game series? First of all, is the gory details. It is packed with heavy violence, brutal murders, and covered with blood, making it one of the goriest thriller shows. The series has a lot of unfiltered blood-splattered and bloodstained scenes, and depictions of black market human organ harvesting that is too brutal for the young viewers.

For such reasons, Netflix issued a warning on TV classification: 17 and under are not allowed to watch it. Rated 15 in the United Kingdom for sexual violence allusion, injury description, coarse comedy, sex, suicide, sexual imagery, and violence. Squid Games has a very sinister concept that needs restrictions not suitable for the general audience.

Second, many people associate South Korea with the BTS boyband, flashy Gangnam culture, and sleek Samsung smartphones. But according to Reuters, many small business owners in South Korea recognize themselves in the cash-strapped characters of the Squid Game. The drama points to a dark flipside of rising personal borrowing, the rarity of getting out of debt, personal bankruptcy that resulted in restriction on employment. On top of that, personal business failure in South Korea is the leading cause of suicide among its citizens.

Life is a game people play metaphorically. We either win some or lose some. In Squid Game, you are sentenced to death literally against your will. But in real life, you can bounce back and fight another day. If there's a will, there's a way, and if there's a way, there's a win!

Games play an essential part in our lives. Outdoor games, in particular, can stimulate physical and intellectual growth, social skills, creativity, imagination, competition, camaraderie, among others.

Games provide humanity more than fun, entertainment, and reward. It also develops teamwork, concentration, communication, problem-solving skills, strategic planning, and sportsmanship.

The ancient Roman death game in the arena like in "Spartacus" and "Gladiator" belong to history. Today, whether indoor or outdoor, traditional or virtual, games must teach young people the values of life and enjoy it.