5 ms·

Fairy tales and folktales don't necessarily have a moral, which is a distinction from a fable or parable. Sometimes it was just the ancient version of Squid Ga

Fairy tales and folktales don't necessarily have a moral, which is a distinction from a fable or parable. Sometimes it was just the ancient version of Squid Game, and people just wanted to hear or tell something entertaining.

kennywinker 5y ago
I'm only two episode into squid game, but it's an add choice for an example of "just entertainment" since it is clearly a commentary on late stage capitalism.
- Igelau 5y ago
  It might seem like it's going that way at first. I wouldn't say it's a commentary on late-stage capitalism as much as that's just part of the setting.
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]
  - hnzix 5y ago
    It's possible to comment on something without overexplaining it using voiceovers and exposition. It's a recurring theme in Korean media eg Parasite and Snowpiercer.
    - kapp_in_life 5y ago
      You've picked two films by a single Korean director who is outspoken about his views, which his hardly a good way to show it's a recurring theme across the media in general. I could pick Atlanta and The Wire and say American media is commonly critical of police. Or turn around and pick CSI and Law & Order and say that American media is commonly supportive of police. It hardly says something about the overall landscape. And thats even picking shows with different directors!
- kbenson 5y ago
  It's... interesting, in the end. They make some bold choices (which I rather liked, since you don't see choices of that type in American popular media as much), but even as commentary, I'm not sure there's a moral or lesson to come out of it rather than to just provoke thought and to entertain. Put another way, it says a lot of things, and outlines a lot of problems, but I'm not sure it puts any solutions forth. That's probably a good thing IMO, as any solution presented in a program like that invariably seems trite to me, as it necessarily oversimplifies the problem so the solution proposed can work.
- mlindner 5y ago
  I didn't see it that way at all but I've seen several people compare it to that and I still fail to see the comparison. The video has no relevance to capitalism at all. It's just a more violent version of very common asian tv variety shows where a bunch of contestants try to climb over obstacles or do random activities to reach the goal. Instead of getting shot though you fall into a pool of goo or water or something though instead and everyone gets a laugh watching the antics of the participants. Combine that additional violence with some heartfelt back story for the characters and you have squid game. It's really quite a simple story. Keep in mind this is a Korean drama, not a western drama. "Late stage capitalism" is an English language/western world concept, not a universal one. (Even the term "late stage capitalism" implies that capitalism is somehow going to end, but commentators never clearly explain what system they think is better or what should replace it. Capitalism IMO is with us for the rest of humanity.)
  - girvo 5y ago
    You're directly contradicted by the writers of Squid Game. In fact the text itself directly spells out that it's influenced by South Korea's looming debt crisis and housing inequality. I'm surprised you missed that, frankly. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-16/squid-game-on-netflix-inspired-by-koreas-debt-crisis/100533282 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-16/squid-game-on-netflix...
    - iakh 5y ago
      Your article does not quote or cite the writers or creators of the show though?
      - hnzix 5y ago
        From TFA: But for many South Koreans, the homegrown Netflix series is not just riveting entertainment. Behind the violence and horror, it has captured long-held anxieties and brought them to life on screen. It has also sparked a debate in South Korea about the exploding personal debt and widening inequality consuming this nation.

kennywinker 5y ago

I'm only two episode into squid game, but it's an add choice for an example of "just entertainment" since it is clearly a commentary on late stage capitalism.

Igelau 5y ago
It might seem like it's going that way at first. I wouldn't say it's a commentary on late-stage capitalism as much as that's just part of the setting.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- hnzix 5y ago
  It's possible to comment on something without overexplaining it using voiceovers and exposition. It's a recurring theme in Korean media eg Parasite and Snowpiercer.
  - kapp_in_life 5y ago
    You've picked two films by a single Korean director who is outspoken about his views, which his hardly a good way to show it's a recurring theme across the media in general. I could pick Atlanta and The Wire and say American media is commonly critical of police. Or turn around and pick CSI and Law & Order and say that American media is commonly supportive of police. It hardly says something about the overall landscape. And thats even picking shows with different directors!
kbenson 5y ago
It's... interesting, in the end. They make some bold choices (which I rather liked, since you don't see choices of that type in American popular media as much), but even as commentary, I'm not sure there's a moral or lesson to come out of it rather than to just provoke thought and to entertain. Put another way, it says a lot of things, and outlines a lot of problems, but I'm not sure it puts any solutions forth. That's probably a good thing IMO, as any solution presented in a program like that invariably seems trite to me, as it necessarily oversimplifies the problem so the solution proposed can work.
mlindner 5y ago
I didn't see it that way at all but I've seen several people compare it to that and I still fail to see the comparison. The video has no relevance to capitalism at all. It's just a more violent version of very common asian tv variety shows where a bunch of contestants try to climb over obstacles or do random activities to reach the goal. Instead of getting shot though you fall into a pool of goo or water or something though instead and everyone gets a laugh watching the antics of the participants. Combine that additional violence with some heartfelt back story for the characters and you have squid game. It's really quite a simple story. Keep in mind this is a Korean drama, not a western drama. "Late stage capitalism" is an English language/western world concept, not a universal one. (Even the term "late stage capitalism" implies that capitalism is somehow going to end, but commentators never clearly explain what system they think is better or what should replace it. Capitalism IMO is with us for the rest of humanity.)
- girvo 5y ago
  You're directly contradicted by the writers of Squid Game. In fact the text itself directly spells out that it's influenced by South Korea's looming debt crisis and housing inequality. I'm surprised you missed that, frankly. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-16/squid-game-on-netflix-inspired-by-koreas-debt-crisis/100533282 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-16/squid-game-on-netflix...
  - iakh 5y ago
    Your article does not quote or cite the writers or creators of the show though?
    - hnzix 5y ago
      From TFA: But for many South Koreans, the homegrown Netflix series is not just riveting entertainment. Behind the violence and horror, it has captured long-held anxieties and brought them to life on screen. It has also sparked a debate in South Korea about the exploding personal debt and widening inequality consuming this nation.