5 Shocking Ways 'Squid Game' Was Based On A Real-Life Crisis (And The Reality Show's Dark Secrets)

The question of "was Squid Game real" has captivated millions since the show’s debut, and as of late 2025, the answer is a complex and chilling blend of fiction, harsh reality, and controversial adaptation. While the lethal children’s games and the VIPs’ deadly gambling are entirely fictional, the show’s core themes of crippling debt, economic inequality, and human desperation are ripped directly from harrowing, real-life events in South Korea. The series' creator purposefully embedded the nation's severe capitalist pitfalls into every deadly challenge.

Furthermore, the show's concept has crossed into a bizarre, high-stakes reality. The Netflix reality competition, Squid Game: The Challenge, which debuted in 2023 and has seen recent updates and controversies, is a very real, unscripted game show with the largest cash prize in history. However, this non-lethal adaptation has itself become a source of controversy, facing allegations of inhumane conditions and potential lawsuits, proving that the show's critique of capitalism’s cruelty is ironically manifesting in its own spin-off.

The Real-Life Crisis That Inspired 'Squid Game' Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk

The entire premise of Squid Game—a desperate fight for survival fueled by insurmountable debt—is a direct, metaphorical commentary on the economic landscape of South Korea. The show's visionary creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, didn't pull his ideas from thin air; he used his own life and major national tragedies as the foundation for the dystopian narrative. The show is a fictionalized mirror of a nation struggling under the weight of severe debt crisis and intense economic inequality.

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The protagonist, Seong Gi-hun (Player 456), is a composite character inspired by the creator's personal struggles and a pivotal, violent moment in South Korean history.

• The Ssangyong Motor Strike (2009): The most direct and harrowing inspiration came from the 2009 Ssangyong Motor labor strike. Gi-hun's backstory as a laid-off autoworker who participated in a violent protest is a direct nod to this event. Thousands of workers were laid off, leading to a deadly confrontation between the workers and police, which serves as a powerful, real-life parallel to the show’s violence.
• Personal Debt and Poverty: Hwang Dong-hyuk wrote the script in 2008 but struggled to find funding for a decade. During this time, he himself was in a difficult financial situation and often read Japanese survival manga, which, combined with his own struggles, cemented the idea of a debt-driven survival game.
• The Duality of Capitalism: The show’s critique is not just about poverty, but about the systemic cruelty of capitalism that forces people into such dire choices. The VIPs represent the ultra-wealthy elite who view the poor as mere entertainment, a stark reflection of the widening gap between the rich and the indebted masses in South Korea.

The show's use of simple, nostalgic children's games—like Red Light, Green Light and Dalgona—was intentional. It contrasts the innocence of childhood with the brutal, adult reality of a society where financial failure is a death sentence, metaphorically speaking.

The Fictional vs. The Factual: Deconstructing the 'Realness'

To definitively answer the question, we must separate the show's fictional elements from its factual underpinnings. The original Korean drama, which became a global phenomenon, is a work of dystopian fiction. No such deadly game has ever been hosted by a shadowy organization in South Korea or anywhere else. However, the emotional and societal reality of the characters is undeniable, which is why the show resonated so deeply with a global audience.

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The following table breaks down the core elements:

The true "realness" of Squid Game lies in its powerful social commentary. It uses the extreme scenario of a death game to highlight the very real, life-altering consequences of financial failure in a hyper-competitive, modern capitalist society. The desperation of characters like Cho Sang-woo, Kang Sae-byeok, and Ali Abdul is a reflection of the crushing pressure experienced by millions facing student loans, bankruptcy, and systemic exploitation.

The Controversial Reality: 'Squid Game: The Challenge' and Lawsuits

In a bizarre twist of life imitating art, Netflix launched a non-lethal, real-world adaptation called Squid Game: The Challenge. The show features 456 real contestants competing for a record-breaking $4.56 million prize, making it the largest cash prize in the history of reality television. The series perfectly replicates the sets, costumes, and games of the original drama, but with "elimination" simply meaning the contestant is sent home.

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Despite the lack of actual death, the reality show has been mired in significant controversies, ironically echoing the original show's themes of exploitation and inhumane conditions.

Key Controversies and Allegations:

• "Inhumane" Conditions: Multiple contestants have spoken out, alleging that the filming conditions were "inhumane" and "cruel," particularly during the "Red Light, Green Light" game, which was filmed in freezing temperatures. Contestants reported being forced to remain motionless for extended periods, leading to hypothermia, exhaustion, and injuries.
• Potential Lawsuits: As of recent updates, some former contestants are reportedly exploring legal action against the production companies, alleging injuries sustained due to the unsafe and poorly managed filming environment.
• Undermining the Message: Critics argue that the reality game show fundamentally undermines the original series’ anti-capitalist message. By turning the critique of economic desperation into a massive, profit-driven entertainment spectacle, the show is accused of celebrating the very system it was meant to condemn.
• Scripting Allegations: While producers insist the show is unscripted, some contestants and viewers have speculated that certain eliminations and events were manipulated or "rigged" to heighten drama, raising questions about the true "reality" of the competition.

The winner of the inaugural season, Mai Whelan (Player 287), took home the massive $4.56 million prize, but the show's legacy is now heavily tied to the ethical concerns raised by the treatment of the other 455 contestants. The reality show, in its pursuit of entertainment and profit, inadvertently created a real-world scenario where the desperate pursuit of money led to the alleged mistreatment of the participants, proving that the dark heart of Squid Game’s message is terrifyingly relevant even in a non-lethal format.