Psychology Behind “Squid Game”: Would You Survive?

Released on 17 Sept. 2021, the nine-episode Korean thriller “Squid Game” has become a runaway hit on Netflix. Members of the cast — from leading to supporting actors — have experienced a surge of fame since the global success of the series. Model-turned-actress Jung Ho-yeon, 27, is gaining a million followers daily, earning the status as the top South Korean actress with 13.6 followers on Instagram.

Why has the show become so popular? Some contend the fame is attributed to provocative scenes mixed with easily replicable games, such as the Dalgona Challenge. High accessibility due to Netflix offering subtitles in 37 languages, the rise of the “thriller” genre, and viral social media posts also play a significant role in the show’s unprecedented success. But above all, many claim that the show piqued people’s interest because it mirrors reality — viewers sympathize and connect with the characters’ emotions and situations, incentivizing them to continue watching episode after episode. The realism in the show is accentuated with set design and storytelling. The vivid colors in the games’ settings are in stark contrast to the horrors they hold, and the guards dressed in hot pink also help create a light, playful mood which reminds us of our innocent school days. It is important to note that, unlike other similar shows created in Japan or the U.S., where the ultimate winner tends to possess special powers, every player in “Squid Game” relies on pure luck or cooperation with others. The story is highly realistic — it is no wonder that viewers become immersed in the show and picture themselves as the players.

In “Squid Game,” the selected 456 players are led by unknown hosts to bet their lives while participating in a series of survival games in which the ultimate survivor receives prize money of 45.6 billion won. Anyone who watched the show may wonder, would I survive? In multiple shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Swoon, the cast shares their thoughts on who is most likely to become the victor if they themselves played the game. The actors initially had no idea what “Squid Game” even was before reading the script — this would be the case for most of us as well. Everyone deals with their own problems in life, and circumstances may escalate to such a dire point where trading lives with the only hope left seems like the most viable option. Despite having no prior information on what they are throwing their lives at, the characters in the show proceed to participate in the game.

But back to the original question: would you survive if you were a player in the Squid Game? From analyzing the show’s ultimate survivor, Gi-hun, you could argue that one must not only be desperate for money but also possess a mental will to live to his best efforts — rather than choosing a quick death. One must also be quick-witted and optimistic, and have the perseverance to undergo breathtaking, unpredictable stages of the games. More than anything else, a deep understanding of the human mind and the ability to build relationships with others is the key to winning. By understanding the psychology behind the games, one could turn his worst enemies into allies.

Several moments of “Squid Game” can be explored from a behavioral or psychological viewpoint, helping explain why the characters act how they act. After the first unexpected game of Red Light Green Light, open voting takes place — if the majority agrees to end the game, the brutal violence ceases, and none would earn the prize money. This is a case of rational herding. The players live together and participate in each game in the presence of everyone else; they are constantly affected by each others’ behavior. Game theory assumes that players act ‘rationally’ based on the external signals they receive.

However, the contrast between the vulnerability portrayed by childhood games and life-threatening consequences brings players under the heightened influence of priming and cognitive dissonance. They often respond to stimuli without conscious intention. In interactive games requiring teamwork, altruistic behavior is present. Yet, such team formation mixed with competition easily transforms into hatred and discrimination.

“Squid Game” demonstrates an unorthodox perspective on how humans make decisions, especially under extreme uncertainty and cognitive distress. This is timely with COVID-19, in which the unremitting pandemic has shaken people’s day-to-day lifestyle and mentality. The show also captures tones of capitalism as if intending to convey that those who do whatever it takes to survive are eventually awarded capital. Still, from witnessing the growing global inequality and frequent abuse of power structure, is self-preservation the top priority no matter the condition?