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Show poster, credit Siren Pictures Inc.
Title: Squid Game "Red Light, Green Light" (Season 1, Episode 1)
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Producer: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Screenplay by: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, and Wi Ha-joon
Production Company: Siren Pictures Inc.
Distributed by: Netflix
Initial Release: September 17, 2021
Latest Release: June 27, 2025
Format: TV Show
Rating: TV-MA for Sex & Nudity: Moderate, Violence & Gore: Severe, Profanity: Moderate, Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking: Mild, Frightening & Intense Scenes: Severe
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Diversity: AAPI (Korean)
Awards: The show has won many awards, including six Emmy's at the 74th awards, three Critic's Choice Awards, a Golden Globe, and many more.
Diversity: Korean setting and characters
Plot Summary: In Episode 1, we meet Seong Gi‑hun, a severely in debt 47‑year‑old divorced father with a gambling addiction, who is struggling to support himself and his mother with his job as a chauffeur. When a mysterious man challenges him to a game of ddakji where he has the opportunity to win money, Gi‑hun, accepts. After winning, he is offered a chance at even more money if he’s willing to join a game show like competition with very high stakes. Tempted by desperation and the fear of losing custody of his daughter, he accepts, and wakes up among 455 other financially desperate strangers, who are then told that if they lose any game, they'll be “eliminated.” The first game unfolds in a bright, pastel playground, where they play “Red Light, Green Light” (also the episode title) with a giant doll. Those to fail to freeze on the cue end up meeting fatal consequences. As players drop one by one, Gi‑hun must play, not just for money, but to survive.
Creator Background:
Hwang Dong-hyuk was born in Seoul in 1971 and raised by his single mother and grandmother. He spent much of his childhood reading manga and manhwa, which fostered his love of story telling. He studied journalism at Seoul National University, but found himself more drawn to fiction and storytelling. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles and earned an MFA in film production at USC, where his short films began gaining attention for their depth and perspective. Despite his growing talent, Hwang returned to Korea saddled with debt and unsure if he’d ever find financial success. His early films, My Father, Silenced, and Miss Granny, were deeply personal and full of social commentary, often pushing boundaries and sparking national conversations, however he had yet to make a living through his work. It was during his most financially difficult years that he wrote the first draft of Squid Game, inspired by his own experience with debt and desperation, however it took ten years for him to actually create it. With the series wrapping up now with it's third and final season, he is moving on to other projects, including a possible spin off.
Show poster, credit Siren Pictures Inc.
Critical Evaluation:
Squid Game is a show that caught me by surprise. I didn't watch it when it was originally released because I thought it was going to be relentlessly brutal (almost in the vein of Saw), but was relatively surprised when instead I found a more emotionally layered story with a slower, more deliberate, pace than I expected. While the themes are undeniably dark, the show doesn’t lean into gore for shock value. The violence is certainly there, but it’s handled in a way that doesn't necessarily feel gratuitous, which I've found a lot in Western media, which I actually appreciated. What really drew me in to this episode though were the characters. Each one feels like a fully realized person, and the show takes its time exploring their flaws, motivations, and past. That slower pace, while not what I expected, gave space for more of an emotional impact. It’s less about the bloodshed and more about the human choices that lead people to the edge. I can see what teenagers at the school I work at have tried to get me to watch it for so long, though I do feel like this is better suited for 15+ than the 13 year olds who have recommended it to me.
Creative Use for a Library Program:
A library program inspired by Squid Game could be a retro game day in the park where patrons play a series of classic playground style games like red light, green light, marbles, and tug-of-war, with a competitive twist. Players would compete in teams to earn points, with each round getting a little more challenging. The highest scoring group could then win a small prize at the end, like a gift card to a nearby local bookstore.
Show screenshot, credit Siren Pictures Inc.
Show banner, credit Netflix
Speed Round Book Talk:
Hundreds of desperate players compete in a series of childhood games for a shot at a life changing cash prize. The catch? If you lose, you die.
Potential Issues:
While a Squid Game inspired library program could be fun, engaging, and relevant to teens, there are several potential concerns to keep in mind. The show’s premise is quite violent and has intense psychological themes, which could be seen as inappropriate or unsettling, particularly for younger teens or more sensitive community members. Some community members may be uncomfortable with the idea of drawing inspiration from a show that includes graphic death scenes, class based exploitation, and trauma, even in a lighthearted context. There’s also a risk that the program could be misinterpreted as glorifying or trivializing violence. Clear messaging, thoughtful framing, and age appropriate content would be essential to avoid misunderstandings and ensure the event is respectful, inclusive, and fun for everyone involved.
Show poster, credit Siren Pictures Inc.
Show poster, credit Siren Pictures Inc.
Reason for Inclusion:
I chose to include a Squid Game because it has become a globally recognized part of pop culture that has really resonated with teens and young adults. The show’s popularity creates a unique opportunity to engage participants who might not otherwise attend library events and is an opportunity to build community and spark conversation.
References:
Hwang Dong-hyuk life inspired which Squid Game character? (2021, October 28). Study International.
https://studyinternational.com/news/hwang-dong-hyuk-life/
Hwang Dong-hyuk. (2022, April 5). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwang_Dong-hyuk
IMDB. (2021, September 17). Squid Game. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10919420/
New Games, New Stakes: “Squid Game” Season 2 Main Trailer and Key Art “Round and Round” Unveiled - About Netflix. (2024).
About Netflix. https://about.netflix.com/en/news/squid-game-season-2-trailer
Ojing-eo geim - IMDb. (n.d.). Www.imdb.com. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10919420/awards/
SPYSCAPE. (n.d.). Hwang Dong-hyuk: Squid Game’s True Superhero of Deaf Children. Spyscape.com.
https://spyscape.com/article/hwang-dong-hyuk-squid-game-creator-and-true-superhero-of-deaf-children
Squid Game | Netflix Official Site. (n.d.). Www.netflix.com. https://www.netflix.com/title/81040344
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