Is Squid Game Based on a True Story

The question “Is Squid Game based on a true story” has sparked global debate since the show’s 2021 premiere. Netflix’s survival drama captured audiences with its deadly children’s games and desperate contestants fighting for prize money.

The short answer: no, Squid Game is not based on an actual death game. However, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk drew inspiration from real social struggles in South Korea.

The show blends fiction with authentic economic inequality, creating a narrative that feels disturbingly plausible to anyone following movies and streaming trends.

The Real Inspiration Behind Squid Game

Hwang Dong-hyuk confirmed the show’s connection to the 2009 SsangYong Motor Company strike in South Korea. This labor dispute saw 2,646 workers laid off after a 77-day occupation that ended with heavy police intervention.

The protagonist’s backstory directly reflects this event. His financial collapse, layoffs, and participation in strikes mirror what thousands of South Korean workers experienced during the economic crisis.

The creator wanted to show how ordinary middle-class people can fall to society’s bottom. This theme resonates with viewers who recognize similar struggles in their own countries, which explains why streaming platforms continue to see massive engagement with shows exploring economic desperation.

Debunking Viral Myths About Squid Game’s Origins

Multiple claims circulated online suggesting the show was based on real underground games. The most persistent myth involves an alleged 1986 bunker where participants fought for survival. Fact-checkers at Snopes thoroughly debunked this claim.

Another viral theory linked the show to Brothers Home, a welfare facility in Busan that housed approximately 40,000 people. While documented abuses occurred at this institution, creator Hwang denied any direct connection.

Some fans drew parallels between the facility’s numbered tracksuits and the show’s uniforms. These similarities are coincidental rather than intentional references.

What Actually Influenced the Show’s Creation?

Hwang drew inspiration from Japanese survival comics rather than real death games. Battle Royale and Liar Game shaped the show’s format and psychological elements.

These manga series explore similar themes: desperate people forced into deadly competitions. Hwang adapted these concepts through a Korean cultural lens, incorporating traditional children’s games that resonated with local audiences.

The combination of familiar playground games with life-or-death stakes creates the show’s disturbing appeal. This approach makes the violence feel more personal than generic action sequences would achieve.

If you enjoy survival game concepts, you might want to check out Japanese movies that inspired similar content in the genre.

Squid Game’s Cultural Impact and Viewership

The franchise’s success proves the story’s resonance regardless of its fictional nature. Season 1 reached 265.2 million views within 91 days, becoming Netflix’s most-watched non-English series.

Season 2 premiered in December 2024, earning 68 million views in its first four days. The momentum continued with Season 3’s June 2025 launch, which generated 60.1 million views in three days and 368.4 million hours viewed.

 These numbers demonstrate how fiction grounded in real social issues can achieve global appeal. The show’s commentary on wealth inequality transcends cultural boundaries, making it relatable across different societies.

Netflix’s success with Squid Game has even influenced their broader entertainment strategy beyond traditional series.

Why the True Story Question Matters?

The confusion around whether Squid Game is based on a true story reveals how effectively the show captures genuine social anxieties. The fictional death games serve as metaphors for real economic systems that pit people against each other.

South Korea’s competitive society, debt culture, and wealth gap provide the show’s authentic foundation. Hwang used these real conditions to build a fictional extreme scenario that feels uncomfortably possible.

This blend of reality and fiction explains why many viewers initially believed the show documented actual events. The emotional truth of economic desperation makes the literal fiction feel real.

FAQs

Is Squid Game based on actual events in South Korea?

No, but it draws from real labor struggles like the 2009 SsangYong strike where workers faced layoffs and financial ruin. The death games themselves are fictional.

Did the creator confirm any real-world inspiration?

Yes, Hwang Dong-hyuk confirmed the protagonist’s backstory reflects the SsangYong Motor Company strike. He also cited inspiration from Japanese survival manga like Battle Royale.

Was there really an underground death game in 1986?

No, this claim has been debunked by fact-checkers. No evidence supports the existence of real death games matching the show’s premise in South Korea or elsewhere.

Why do people think Squid Game is a true story?

The show’s realistic portrayal of economic desperation and social inequality makes it feel authentic. This emotional realism leads viewers to question whether the extreme scenario could happen.