Hwang Dong-hyuk’s South Korean Netflix K-Original Squid Game has officially become the most-Googled TV show of 2021. The show has overtaken the rankings of shows like Bridgerton, Love Island and Line of Duty.
Hwang’s ten-episode survival thriller drama has already reigned supreme on the channel, becoming Netflix’s most popular show of all time, outranking the likes of Bridgerton and Money Heist.
Starring Lee Jung Jae, Park Hae Soo, Jung Ho Yeon and Wi Ha Jun in lead roles, the show sees 456 participants being confined in a particular place to play games to win prize money of 45.6 billion Korean Won.
Recently, it was revealed that Squid Game was the first-ever non-English international show to have gained a nomination for Best Drama Series at the 27th Critics Choice Awards.
The show continues to break barriers and reach unimaginable heights. It’s connection with the wider public has elevated the interest in the Korean language and culture, pushing forward the raging Korean wave.
It is a commentary on capitalism, power dynamics, economic and class conflict, and the depravity and vulnerability of the human psyche.
Since the show struggled to be picked up for years, its gargantuan success indeed took Hwang by surprise who recalled how he got rejected several times due to the “violent, absurd, weird” nature of the script.
Even the cast was pleasantly surprised by the widespread reception of the series that has catapulted them into international stardom.
The show has already officially been renewed for a second season, much to the delight of fans.
