The world-renowned Netflix series Squid Game captivated audiences with its brutal depiction of economic desperation and survival. But behind the fictional tale lies a stark reality that inspired its story: the violent Ssangyong factory strikes of 2009 in South Korea. The real-life events, marked by state violence and workers’ struggle for dignity, mirror the dystopian themes explored in the series.
Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed that the character Gi-hun, a laid-off worker, was directly inspired by the struggles of Ssangyong employees. In 2009, the car manufacturer announced plans to lay off over 2,600 workers—nearly 40% of its workforce—triggering a 77-day occupation of the factory. What began as a peaceful protest escalated into violent clashes between strikers armed with slingshots and steel pipes and riot police equipped with tasers and rubber bullets. The confrontation left many union members severely beaten, some jailed, and numerous families grappling with trauma.
Union leader Lee Chang-kun later staged a 100-day sit-in atop a factory chimney in 2014 to protest legal rulings favoring Ssangyong over the workers. During his protest, he endured hallucinations and relied on supporters who delivered food via a rope basket. Lee described the psychological toll of the strikes, which led to approximately 30 deaths from suicide and stress-related illnesses. “Many lost their lives. People had to suffer for too long,” he told AFP, recalling vivid memories of police helicopters and relentless violence broadcast across the nation.
Lee noted parallels between the show and real-life experiences, particularly in scenes where Gi-hun grapples with betrayal and solidarity. However, he expressed disappointment that Squid Game’s global success did not translate into meaningful change for South Korea’s workers, who continue to face economic inequality and polarized politics. “Despite being widely discussed and consumed, it is disappointing that we have not channelled these conversations into more beneficial outcomes,” he said.
The series, now the most-watched Netflix show of all time, highlights South Korea’s rise as a cultural powerhouse alongside hits like Parasite and K-pop icons BTS. Yet, its second season arrives amid heightened political turmoil. The recent impeachment of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, following his failed bid to impose martial law, underscores the country’s persistent struggles with state and capitalist violence.
Korean studies professor Vladimir Tikhonov described South Korea’s cultural exports as deeply rooted in historical trauma, with Squid Game emblematic of “the shadow of state violence.” As the series enters its second season, it serves as both entertainment and a stark reminder of ongoing societal struggles.
