Why Netflix Squid Game Is So Popular

Why is squid game so good

Squid Game is gruesomely violent and emotionally punishing. It’s also one of Netflix’s most popular shows. Since its premiere on Sept. 17, the South Korean thriller has become a global phenomenon: Its viewership has increased by 481% in less than a month, and the hashtag SquidGame has been viewed more than 22.8 billion times on TikTok.
But it also begs an uncomfortable question: Why are we so obsessed with a show about human suffering?

Under capitalism, “everything is an investment.”

“Debt makes everybody feel vulnerable and anxious and desperate.”

It is clear that it still resonates with them in terms of the competition, where stakes are high, life is brutal and the winner takes all.

There’s no denying it. Squid Game has risen as Netflix’s next big thing, and no I’m not being dramatic. According to Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, the K-drama series shot to the top of viewing charts giving it a “very good chance” of becoming Netflix’s most popular show to date.

The nine-episode thriller follows a South Korean community where contestants, who are in extreme debt, play a series of children’s playground games in an attempt to win $38.5 million. The kicker? Death is the penalty for losing each game. Think of Hunger Games meets Battle Royale meets Saw.

There are a few reasons that Squid Game, a violent story of survival, has become so popular among audiences worldwide. In this age of social media, while it is easy for shows to trend and be talked about, only a few have reached the level of popularity Squid Game enjoys, despite its limited promotion. This is primarily because the drama took a quite simple concept and turned it into an elaborate reflection of society. Amidst all the action, there are characters whom the audience can sympathize with as they represent socioeconomic classes of all kinds. In addition, Squid Game artfully reflects society being overpowered by capitalism. Viewers recognize that money and power run the world, and sadly, there is still a glaring wealth disparity between the rich and the poor. Consequently, people — no matter their background — will do anything in their capacity to gain and maintain financial security.

We might see the players fight back and, of course, the many Halloween costumes that the series will no doubt inspire.

Personal fandom aside, it’s only right to compile a list of Squid Game-inspired Halloween costume inspo since spooky season is in full swing.

Squid Game – worldwide google trends.

• Mongolia
• Singapore
• Philippines
• Azerbaijan
• Georgia

Squid Game most popular Halloween costume in Alaska as well as the nation

Halloween is just around the corner and that means that millions of Americans will turn to Google for inspiration for their favorite Halloween costume.

Around Halloween, there are literally tens of millions of searches in Google for costume-related themes and the sheer volume provides a good idea of what you’re likely to see on the evening of October 31st. In October 2020, for example, there were roughly 92 million costume-related Google searches in the US, according to data from Google Adwords.

Besides the ever-so-popular witch, princess, dinosaur, and clown costumes, every year brings a new blockbuster. While last year the Among Us costume was hugely popular, 2021 is the year of the Squid Game costume.

Squid Game Workers – jumpsuit with hood & square / round / triangle /boss mask & fasten belt & Gloves

Squid Game Hoodies

Squid Game Coat

Squid Game Tracksuit Cosplay

Netflix’s Squid Game is a sensation, with the #squidgame tag on TikTok being viewed more than 22.8 billion times. That’s right 22.8 billion views! But it’s not just a hit on social media. Squid Game is taking the lead role in the contest of America’s most popular Halloween costume.

The Squid Game costume is so popular that it has taken the lead from America’s long-time favorite witch costume, and, according to Google Trends, its popularity keeps on growing. Google Trends data shows that over the past 30 days, the Squid Game costume was the most popular in the United States, and worldwide for that matter. Yes, Canadians, Australians, and Irish love Squid Game too.

The costume is particularly popular in three of America’s most populous states – California, Texas, and New York, though it has not yet managed to win the local popularity contest all over the country.

While nationwide Squid Game wins the popularity contest thanks to its high scores in the nation’s most populous states, the old-time favorite witch costume is the most popular in 19 states, followed by the princess costume, which is the most popular in 10 states.

The Squid Game costume wins the popularity contest nationwide and in nine individual states, while Cruella tops the table in seven states.

The Harley Quinn costume, hugely popular over the past few years, remains the top choice in Iowa and North Dakota, while the clown costume is the most popular choice in New Hampshire and West Virginia. Then comes the dinosaur costume, which is the top choice in Connecticut and Minnesota.

Squid game front man coat – google trends USA

1. West Virginia
2. North Dakota
3. Connecticut
4. Montana
5. Wyoming
6. Arizona

Worldwide – squid game costume tracksuit – google trends

• Norway
• Ireland
• Canada
• United States
• Australia
• United Kingdom
• Lithuania
• South Korea
• Mexico
• Japan

The show has completely taken over social media, trending with hundreds of thousands of tweets every day. I would expect it to be a popular Halloween costume, given that all you need as an appropriately color tracksuit, a number and perhaps a cookie in a particular shape for people to get the reference. Or if you want to go all out, one of those golden animal masks for the VIPs.