One of Netflix’s newest shows “Squid Game” has become a worldwide sensation. Following its Sept. 17 release, the show became the first Korean drama to top Netflix’s global charts.

The show starts off in black and white as Seong Gi-hun talks about a game he played in his childhood known as Squid Game.

While Seong was victorious then, he’s experienced loss in adulthood, especially as he’s become indebted to loan sharks and the bank, lost jobs and struggled to maintain a relationship with his daughter after his divorce.

The transition from Seong winning in Squid Game to his financial and familial issues showcases his desperation, prompting viewers to sympathize with Seong.

As Seong becomes desperate to gain custody of his daughter, he is approached by a wealthy mogul and challenged to a game of Ddakji, which Seong wins along with a large sum of money. The mogul then mentions a game where Seong could win even more money, and Seong is convinced to join.

Based on Seong’s situation, viewers can see how he has grown increasingly more desperate; however, as suspense grows, the viewers expect that the game will come with risks, regardless of the large financial reward.

As Seong arrives at a facility with 455 other players in the game, conflict breaks out between him, Player 218 and Player 067 after Seong recognizes Player 218 as a former classmate and Player 067 as a pickpocket who stole from him. Masked guards then interrupt the conflict, welcoming the players to a series of six games and announcing that winners will be awarded a large sum of money.

Despite players’ concerns about the morality of the games, the guards manipulate the players into participating as the players are in debt.

The players start with their first game: Red Light, Green Light. Players are informed that if movement is detected from them after the large robotic doll says, “Red light,” they will be eliminated from the game. However, as the players realize after Player 324 is shot after he moves, losing costs one their life.

The show is tense, especially as it offers a critique on capitalism, highlighting how it can drive people to violence. Despite such a grave topic, “Squid Game” is accompanied with classic music, which provides a calming effect, especially after players begin to die in the first game.

The first episode concludes, just as the game Red Light, Green Light ends. However, prior to the conclusion of the game, one can see the intended audience for the series of games, which is the Korean upper class.

The show “Squid Game” offers social commentary on capitalism, showcasing the violence that can ensue under the system, especially when the bourgeoisie aims to make entertainment out of the proletariat’s financial difficulties. Unexpectedly, though, the players in the game have the privilege of voting on whether to continue to play the games.

In an unexpected turn of events, the players vote to end the game, which allows the second episode “Hell” to showcase the players’ return to their lives. As their financial hardship worsens, which Player 001 describes as torturous, they become desperate enough to return to the game, which showcases the predatory nature of capitalism.

While the vote was an unexpected turn of events, the second episode “Hell” allows viewers to learn more about the players’ background, prompting them to sympathize with the characters even more. It also villainizes the elite that watch the players compete for the financial rewards, risking their lives to do so.

To see what happens next the players, tune into “Squid Game.” Don’t get too attached to the players though.