Is Squid Game based on a true story? (2024)

1 October 2021, 16:35 | Updated: 7 October 2021, 13:53

Is Squid Game based on a true story? (1)

Is Squid Game based on a true story? (2)Is Squid Game based on a true story? (3)

Here’s what you need to know about the story behind Netflix’s Squid Game.

Squid Game is the latest series to have pretty much everyone glued to their TV screens as the K-drama is already on its way to break some serious records!

The nine-part thriller has us hooked on the storyline, which sees contestants compete in a dark version of children’s playground games in order to win a huge sum of money, with those who lose instantly killed.

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The series has raised a lot of questions amongst fans - with many dying to know if Squid Game is based on a true story?

Here’s the lowdown…

Is Squid Game based on a true story? (5)

Squid Game promo reveals behind-the-scenes of the glass bridge game

Is Squid Game based on a true story? (6)

You’ll be relieved to know that the series isn’t inspired by any real-life similar events, as there’s been no game show in which contestants have been forced to compete in a series of deadly games.

Creator of the show Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed that he actually drew inspiration for the series from watching Japanese anime over the years and combined it with his love for traditional playground games to come up with the idea.

He told Variety: “I freely admit that I’ve had great inspiration from Japanese comics and animation over the years. When I started, I was in financial straits myself and spent much time in cafes reading comics including ‘Battle Royale’ and ‘Liar Game.’

“I came to wonder how I’d feel if I took part in the games myself. But I found the games too complex, and for my own work focused instead on using kids’ games.”

Is Squid Game based on a true story? (7)
Is Squid Game based on a true story? (8)

Squid Game, however, is a real game that was popular amongst kids in Korea during the 1970s and 1980s, which is similar to hopscotch.

Hwang told this publication: “This is a story about people who used to play this game as children and return to play it as adults.

“It was one of the most physical and it was also one of my favourite games. I felt that this game could be the most symbolic children’s game that could represent the kind of society we live in today.”

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Is Squid Game based on a true story? (2024)

FAQs

Is the Squid Game based on a true story? ›

All of this is to say, while the show is based on a fictional premise, Squid Game: The Challenge is very much based in reality.

Did Mai really win 4.56 million? ›

Vietnam-born Mai Whelan triumphs in Squid Game: The Challenge, winning a record-breaking USD 4.56 million. Despite her victory, delayed payments and US taxes might reduce her earnings to USD 2.8 million.

Has Mai gotten paid? ›

Mai Whelan has finally received her long-awaited payout after winning Netflix's Squid Game: The Challenge!

Did Mai Whelan get her money? ›

Mai Whelan, 56, won the first season of "Squid Game: The Challenge." She won $4.56 million but had to keep it a secret from her family for months. Her daughter didn't know the truth until she watched the series.

Who won the real life Squid Game? ›

Whelan overcame 455 competitors, most younger than her 55 years, to take home the multimillion-dollar prize. Mai Whelan, the winner of Netflix's first season of “Squid Game: The Challenge.”

Who was really behind Squid Game? ›

Sang-woo's guilt over the lives lost and his unwillingness to return empty-handed contribute to his decision. The finale reveals that Il-nam, the elderly man Gi-hun befriends, is actually the mastermind behind the Squid Game tournament.

Did Mai sacrifice herself? ›

Mai sacrifices herself for Maki, using the last of her strength to enhance her sister's abilities. With Mai gone, Maki's heavenly restriction is finally completed, and she reaches the same state as Toji.

Did Squid Game pay mai? ›

After Sam picked the elimination button, Mai and Phill played Rock, Paper, Scissors for a chance to win the keys which would unlock the safe with the money in. Mai successfully found the keys after many failed attempts, and won the $4.56million.

Did the Squid Game winner get paid? ›

Mai Whelan, who won "Squid Game: The Challenge," inches closer to her $4.56 million prize, but contractual terms mean she must patiently await the windfall, scheduled for January 5, 2024, following the show's December 6 finale.

What did Mai do with Squid Game money? ›

How did Mai spend the money she got as the winner of Squid Game: The Challenge? Mai has said she's spending a lot of her $4.56million prize fund renovating her home in Virginia, and building a small dock for a boat on the property.

Why hasn't Mai received her money? ›

Turns out, the contract signed by players prohibits them from sharing the cash. While she still hasn't gotten her prize money, Mai told the Times she splurged on a few items for the Netflix finale event ... including a new haircut, Jimmy Choo shoes and a Ralph Lauren dress.

What was Squid Game based around? ›

The Squid Game game's origins come from a traditional Korean game similar in many ways to the popular 1990s game known as Pogs. The goal is simply to flip your opponent's tile on the ground by striking it with your own tile, made of folded paper.

What is the Squid Game doll based on? ›

Based on the Korean textbook character of the same name, Young-hee resembles a young girl with black hair in low short pigtails with faded purple beads and a barrette in her hair that resembles the Squid Game symbol that is the same color as her beads.

Did the Squid Game contestants get paid? ›

Even after discovering the show's compensation, the response remained the same: nothing. “It was all or nothing," Radhika said, referring to the prize money. "We were really in there acting like that for nothing, because the stakes were so high. It was $4.56 million.”

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