What is the ‘I’ve played these games before’ meme? Unpacking Squid Game’s cringiest moment

If you’re here, that means your social media feeds are full of one phrase and one phrase only: “I’ve played these games before!”

The weird line is literally everywhere and has become the internet’s latest viral meme, but what does it mean?

Well, it comes from season two of Squid Game which arrived on Netflix at the end of December.

However, it’s only used in the English dubbed version of the show, so you won’t recognise it if you watched the Korean version with subtitles.

When Gi-hun enters the evil games for the second time, he tries to convince all the players that they will die during Red Light Green Light.

They don’t believe him and think he’s just a lunatic, so he stands in front of them all and shouts: “I’VE PLAYED THESE GAMES BEFORE.”

The main character then repeats himself once again, shouting at the top of his lungs: “I said I’ve played these games before.”

@linuxnzt

english dub is a CRIME 😭🙏 #squidgame #001 #netflix #squidgamenetflix #season2 #fyp

♬ I PLAYED THESE GAMES BEFORE – ⚜️

It’s turned into a viral meme because people are laughing at how hilariously bad the English dub of the Korean thriller is.

The way he shouts is comical and you lose the seriousness of the show entirely when listening to the lax dubbing.

It’s being branded as Squid Game’s cringiest moment, and people are mocking it on social media.

The line is now being used as a TikTok sound too as part of a trend where people discuss situations they’ve dealt with in the past.

“There will be two weeks off from school because of the new HMPV virus,” one video says as they recall the pandemic.

Another viral video adds: “When my future daughter is stalking his following and skipping over the ‘ugly’ girls.”

@sophie.skeggs

#squidgame #relatable

♬ I PLAYED THESE GAMES BEFORE – ⚜️

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Even the Squid Game director himself, Hwang Dong-hyuk told viewers not to watch the dubbed version, and everyone now knows why.

“I suggest for those of you out there to really get the essence of the actual actors voices and the nuances of their tones, I suggest watching it with subtitles on. I think it’s going to be for a better viewing experience,” he told LadBible.

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Featured image by: Netflix