General, Ryan (October 1, 2021). "Player 276 actor Christian Lagahit on his 'surreal' experience representing Filipinos in 'Squid Game' ". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021 . Retrieved October 23, 2021. The Korean and English language title logos incorporated the circle, triangle and square shapes into their design. The series revolves around a secret contest where 456 players, all of whom are in deep financial hardship, risk their lives to play a series of deadly children's games for the chance to win a ₩45.6 billion prize. The series' title draws from a similarly named Korean children's game. Hwang conceived the idea based on his own economic struggles, as well as the class disparity in South Korea and capitalism. Though he wrote the story in 2009, Hwang could not find a production company to fund the idea until Netflix took an interest around 2019 as part of a drive to expand their foreign programming offerings.

Korean series 'Squid Game' gives deadly twist to children's games". ABS-CBN News. September 15, 2021. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021 . Retrieved September 15, 2021. Lee, Joyce (October 1, 2021). "S.Korea broadband firm sues Netflix after traffic surge from 'Squid Game' ". Reuters. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021 . Retrieved October 2, 2021. Clark, Caitlyn (October 6, 2021). "Squid Game Is an Allegory of Capitalist Hell". Jacobin. Archived from the original on October 17, 2021 . Retrieved October 22, 2021.Babe, Ann. "Why some Korean women are boycotting Squid Game". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021 . Retrieved October 28, 2021.

Hailu, Selome (June 14, 2022). " 'Squid Game: The Challenge' Reality Series Greenlit at Netflix with Open Casting Call". Variety. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022 . ReSilver, Katie (October 29, 2021). "Squid Game cryptocurrency soars 2300% in first few days". BBC News. Archived from the original on November 1, 2021 . Retrieved November 1, 2021. Hersko, Tyler (October 10, 2021). " 'Squid Game' Director on the Show's Massive Global Success, Its Themes, and a Potential Sequel". Indie Wire. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021 . Retrieved October 28, 2021. Chae was also inspired by the Saemaul Undong political initiative of the 1970s aimed to modernize rural Korean villages. [80] The mint green and pink color theme throughout the show were a common theme from Korean schools in the 1970s and 1980s. Green-suited characters develop associations of fear with pink through its use in guard outfits and the stairway room. [81] [79]

Johnston, Dias (October 12, 2021). "Squid Game Episode 6's Biggest Twists Are Hiding In Plain Sight". Inverse. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021 . Retrieved October 20, 2021.Hassan, Jennifer (October 13, 2021). "Netflix hit 'Squid Game' is so big North Korea is using it to slam South Korean society". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 13, 2021 . Retrieved October 13, 2021.