Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’ Interesting Facts
It’s no secret that Squid Game turned the world upside down when it premiered in 2021. With its haunting visuals, gripping storylines, and unforgettable characters, it became the most-watched series in Netflix history. But even the biggest fans might not know these wild behind-the-scenes stories, real-life inspirations, and clever Easter eggs.
31 Squid Game Interesting Facts Every Fan Needs to Know
The show took over a decade to get made.
Writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk first drafted Squid Game in 2008 but was rejected by studios for being “too grotesque and unrealistic.”
Player 456 is actually based on real-life struggles.
Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) represents the average man drowning in debt — inspired by South Korea’s rising household debt crisis.
The creepy doll in “Red Light, Green Light” is real.
Yes, she’s not CGI! The terrifying doll is a real structure located in Jincheon County, South Korea.
HoYeon Jung (Kang Sae-byeok) had never acted before.
The North Korean defector character was her acting debut — she was previously a supermodel and runner-up on Korea’s Next Top Model.
Ali Abdul (played by Anupam Tripathi) had just $3 in his bank account when he got the role.
The role changed his life overnight and brought South Asian representation to K-drama like never before.
Il-nam (Player 001, played by Oh Young-soo) is a national treasure.
The veteran actor has had a six-decade-long career in theater, but Squid Game earned him his first-ever Golden Globe nomination.
The piggy bank wasn’t just a prop.
The 45.6 billion won prize was made to literally hang over the contestants to symbolize greed and temptation.
The games are based on real Korean children’s games.
From “Red Light, Green Light” to the titular “Squid Game,” these were common playground games in 70s-80s Korea.
Ji-yeong (played by Lee Yoo-mi) became a breakout icon.
Her heartbreaking friendship with Sae-byeok in Episode 6 made her a fan favorite — and she later won an Emmy!
The set was built to feel like a dystopian playground.
The pastel colors and oversized structures were intentionally designed to create discomfort through childlike nostalgia.
The staircase scenes were inspired by M.C. Escher.
The dizzying staircases pay homage to the Dutch artist’s famous “Relativity” print.
Hwang Jun-ho (played by Wi Ha-joon) is a real-life heartthrob.
The cop investigating the game gained a massive global fanbase after the show — and yes, he’s also a trained dancer.
Sang-woo (played by Park Hae-soo) was inspired by real corporate corruption cases.
His moral descent mirrors the shocking fall of many South Korean businessmen caught in scandal.
Each player’s number has meaning.
For instance, Player 001 represents the beginning and Player 456 the end — a full circle.
The guards’ shapes represent hierarchy.
Circles are workers, triangles are soldiers, and squares are managers. Inspired by ant colonies!
The show sparked a real-life candy craze.
Dalgona candy vendors across Korea saw sales triple overnight after Episode 3 aired.
The phone number shown in the show was real.
The unfortunate owner of that number received thousands of prank calls until Netflix offered compensation.
Every eliminated character foreshadows their death.
Watch again — the way Sang-woo tries to kill himself in the bathtub or how Ali steals money echoes their eventual fates.
Episode 6 made history.
“Gganbu” is widely regarded as one of the best TV episodes ever and scored several international awards.
The show’s costumes sparked Halloween mania.
Green tracksuits and pink guard uniforms were the most Googled costumes in 2021.
The masked Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun) is a Hollywood crossover.
He’s appeared in G.I. Joe, The Magnificent Seven, and Red 2.
Netflix spent under $25 million on the entire show.
That’s less than the budget for one episode of Stranger Things Season 4.
Squid Game became the first Korean show to hit #1 in the U.S.
It dominated the global charts in 94 countries.
The show’s working title was “Round Six.”
It was changed to Squid Game to better reflect its Korean cultural roots.
There’s a hidden VIP hint in Episode 1.
The business card’s shape (circle, triangle, square) hints at the roles of the guards.
A second season was confirmed earlier in the first season
Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk is returning and hinted we’ll explore the Front Man’s backstory. We have also noticed a few blunders in the second season.
The show boosted tourism in Korea.
Locations like the filming site of Gi-hun’s home became selfie hotspots.
HoYeon Jung gained 20 million followers in days.
She became the most-followed Korean actress on Instagram within two weeks of the show’s premiere.
The creepy music is based on a children’s song.
The “Pink Soldiers” theme uses distorted versions of “Fly Me to the Moon” and lullabies.
Squid Game is the most-watched Netflix series of all time.
With over 1.65 billion viewing hours in its first 28 days.
The show inspired global conversations about capitalism.
Fans and critics alike praised Squid Game for shedding light on inequality, class struggle, and debt.
Whether you’re re-watching to catch hidden clues or counting down to Season 3, these Squid Game interesting facts show just how much depth lies beneath the bloodshed. What fact shocked you the most? Tell us in the comments!
