Everything we know about Squid Game’s 35 year history, from origins to hidden leader

Throughout much of season two, I questioned how Squid Game was able to start and why its creators chose the specific set of games, players, and themes. Though it was partially explained in season one, it’s time for a recap.

The costumes are pretty, the games are fun, and the hidden easter eggs are plentiful, but much like Hunger Games, Squid Game has a history of almost 40 years. Of course, we are only shown a small section of this history through the eyes of the main character Seong Gi-hun and his fellow competitors.

After learning more about the game’s origins, I am seconds away from begging Netflix for a spin-off centred around Squid Game one.

The Squid Game started in 1988

To understand the current situation players such as Cho Hyun-ju and Player 144 are in, we must go back to the year 1988 when one Oh Il-nam – the old man revealed to be the competition’s creator in season one – became frustrated by his level of living. Was he poor? No, of course not, much like Elon Musk he had everything he needed and still wanted more.

As a successful business tycoon, Il-nam linked up with a few of his fellow millionaires to create the very first Squid Game and fill the void in their lives. Girls just want to have fun, but millionaires want it more. Naturally, they used childhood games popular in South Korea such as Red Light, Green Light, Marbles and Tug of War to ensure all of their competitors could compete.

Most Read

Squid Game creator defends casting choice for Thanos following backlash towards his acting

Squid Game creator reveals the wild hidden meanings behind the show’s costumes

The shocking real reason behind Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott’s unexpected split

Il-nam initially filled the role of host, with his colleagues stepping in as the VIPs who would soon don gold-plated animal masks. Following Il-nam’s death at the end of season one, former 2015 Hwang In-Ho – also known as the Front Man – took over as top dog.

The game’s rationale is almost as twisted as the dire consequences

Throughout much of season one I questioned what the point was, after all, there are easier ways to get your kicks than elaborate childhood games with fatal endings.

Talking to Seong Gi-hun in season one, Il-nam explained that poor people lack as much purpose as their rich counterparts. As such, he believed they needed Squid Game to break up the monotony of their lives. Truly twisted stuff.

Squid Game is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news, drops, quizzes and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook. 

Featured image: Netflix