Here’s the twisted meaning of the Squid Game doll’s creepy lyrics Red Light, Green Light

Creepy robot doll Young-hee has become one of the most recognisable images from Netflix’s Squid Game, and though the focus is undoubtedly on the people being killed in Red Light, Green Light, the lyrics to her song are part of the show’s wider symbolism.

Young-hee’s chubby cheeks and lethal gaze were introduced at the very start of Squid Game season one when Seong Gi-hun first found himself fighting for his life. She was ultimately involved in the deaths of 255 players and returned in season two with an admittedly lower killer count of 91.

Young-hee is expected to make another appearance in season three alongside her boyfriend Chul-su, so there’s never been a better time to unpack her iconic tune.

What are the lyrics to the doll’s song in Squid Game?

Red Light, Green Light, is perhaps the most memorable of the Squid Game tasks, in part due to its shocking nature. Though most countries seem to have some variation of the game, the rules are mostly the same. Under a five-minute time limit, the players are tasked with getting to Young-hee when her back is turned. If she sees them moving upon turning around, they are eliminated by way of the hidden soldiers.

In both deadly renditions of Red Light, Green Light, Young-hee eerily sings “Mugunghwa Kkoci Pieot Seumnida” over and over as the players are trying to make it to the finish line. In English, the lyrics can be translated to “The Mugunghwa Flower Has Bloomed” – but what does that even mean?

Mugunghwa, also known as the rose of Sharon, has been the national flower of South Korea since 1945 and is also referred to as the “blossom from heaven.” This continues the ongoing themes of the afterlife in Squid Game.

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The name of the flower literally translates to the “eternal blossom that never fades”, and yet, the players definitely faded. A cruel joke indeed.

With a long and ancient history, the Mugunghwa flower is draped in symbolism. It was a sign of resistance during the Japanese colonial period and was claimed as the national flower after South Korea regained its independence in 1945. Naturally, in modern times it has become a symbol of resilience, hope, and the promise of a better tomorrow and is used on everything from national symbols to annual festivals.

Much like the meaning of the Mingle song and the very challenges contained in Squid Game, the use of the doll’s song is another example of director Hwang Dong-Hyuk perverting a seemingly innocent symbol to convey the twisted nature of the games. Genius.

Squid Game 2 is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news, drops and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook. 

Featured image credit: Netflix