10 Things I learned from Squid Game

After watching Squid Game, there was a lot to unpack. I had to take the time to process what I watched, and what I have learned from the series. I'm the type of person who likes to process stuff. I think taking the time to think about what you've learned; whether it's a movies/show you just watched, or a book you just read or a conversation with someone; helps you learn more about yourself and the world around you.

Squid Game shows us how our world is so broken that we can easily lose sight of who we are. We try to find satisfaction in meaningless things, such as material wealth, thinking it's what we need to fill us. It doesn't. It shows us who we are, at our worst and at our best. Each character represents us, in a way. So, here's what I learned from the characters (There will be spoilers, so watch out!):

1. Ji-Yeong - Everyone needs a purpose.

Before joining, she was imprisoned for killing her father, who abused her and killed her mother. She sacrificed herself so that Sae-Byeok can take one step closer to winning the game. Ji-Yeong realized that she didn't really know what life had in store for her, and she was not looking forward to anything after the games. She believed that, compared to Sae-Byeok, she had no real purpose to continue. We all need a purpose, it directs our path and grounds us to where we need to be.

2. The Front Man - Sacrifice is necessary for a "worthy" cause.

I hate that this is what I learned from him, because I don't believe that what he was doing merited ANY sacrifice. Especially a sacrifice as costly as killing your brother. But, we all believe in something. We all have our convictions, values and belief system. At times, there is a cost to pay for us to continue to do what we believe needs to be done. I don't agree with his actions, AT ALL. I don't believe that there is ANYTHING worth killing for. But, I can see why he did it. I just wish I knew what cause he was fighting for.

3. Joon Ho - When we see something wrong, we need to do something about it.

Joon Ho was a detective looking for his brother, who he thought was part of the games. When he realized what was happening, he did everything he could so the people in charge of the games get caught. Joon Ho had an opportunity to save his life or he could have just focused on looking for his brother instead of investigating. But he was not one to turn a blind eye when bad things happen. He did what needed to be done so that the injustice wouldn't continue.

4. Mi Nyeo - Speaking doesn't necessarily mean you are heard.

Mi Nyeo was.. annoying. She spoke too much and acted out a lot. Pretending to be self-assured and confident. But she was rarely heard. No one really took the time to listen to her. There are times when we speak our mind, a lot. We lash out, indirectly expressing our fear and our insecurities. What we forget is that when we act out, people tend to listen to us less. They don't want to hear your empty words. Sometimes, vulnerability expressed in silence is louder than false bravado.

5. Deok-Su - Bullying doesn't build loyalty.

Deok-Su was used to being feared. Wherever he went, he relied on his brute strength and strong personality to ensure he remained as top dog. But fear can only get you so far. Once people find someone or something bigger to fear, or realize that they are more powerful than they think... they end up leaving you, or worse, get back at you. Bullying is only effective when you're the biggest and the baddest. And we all know that doesn't last long.

6. Il-nam - You never truly know a person until they allow you to.

Il-nam was a big surprise for me. Though there were hints, it was still different to hear his motives. How someone so vulnerable, was actually not. But then again, how well do we really know the people close to us? Or the people we look up to? Just as you can't open a locked box, you can't know a person who refuses to open up to you.

7. Ali - There's trusting, and there's gullible. Don't be gullible.

Ali was a genuine person who placed too much faith in people. He was gullible, and that ended up killing him. There's a fine line between being trusting and gullible. We have to learn to discern and apply wisdom in every decision we make. Not all nice people are kind people.

8. Sae-Byeok - You don't have to do everything alone.

Sae-Byeok went through a lot in life. from being a North Korean defector to being taken advantage of by people. She hasn't had an easy life, which has led her to doubt every person who tries to help her. Who could blame her? But in the end, she realizes that she doesn't have to do everything by herself. She just needs to find trustworthy people to help her carry the burden. She was never truly alone.

9. Sang-Woo - You're not as smart as you think.

Sang-Woo has a lot riding on winning the games. He needed to save his mother, their properties and his career. Unfortunately, he was too full of himself, that he forgot to take the time to think about the consequences of his actions. He was known for being the smartest person in their town, and it got to him. He believed he could solve all his problems. And in his desire to prove that fact, he ended up doing questionable things. His skewed self-identity has led to his desperate situation.

10. Gi-Hun - In desperate times, don't forget who you are.

Gi-Hun wasn't the best person at the start. He was an absentee father, a gambling addict and an unhelpful son. He experienced trauma which he allowed to overtake his life, costing his family and his career. Despite of that, there were things Gi-Hun believed. He helped people even when it inconvenienced him. He chose to see the best in people, even if they weren't always worthy of trust. And he won't kill people, even if they tried to do it to him. He was not perfect, but he knew knew that there were lines he was not willing to cross.

What did you learn from watching Squid Game? Any Korean shows/movies you'd recommend me?