Quickcheck: Did a video game console inspire Squid Games's iconic guard masks?


Squid Game Season 2 has returned, thrilling audiences around the world with an incredible 68 million views and claiming the #1 spot in 92 countries.

The gripping new season makes it nearly impossible to take your eyes off the screen.

But as fans, have you ever wondered the story behind the symbols on the iconic guards’ masks?

Are these shapes just random designs?

Could they be inspired by a video game console?

VERDICT:

FALSE

In Netflix's Squid Game, the guards’ masks—adorned with circles, triangles, and squares—might remind one of the Sony PlayStation controller’s face buttons. However, their true inspiration is rooted in traditional Korean children’s games.

These shapes, generally found in textbooks and playground games, reflect the rigid class hierarchy central to the show's theme.

At the same time, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk also intentionally used these simple geometric shapes to evoke a sense of familiarity and innocence reminiscent of childhood learning materials.

The circle masks denote the lowest rank, worn by guards who perform manual work such as cleaning and disposing of bodies.

These workers are powerless, symbolising the working class bound to service. They are forbidden to speak unless addressed first by a higher-ranking guard.

The triangle masks represent the enforcers tasked with wielding weapons to maintain order and ensure compliance.

Within the show’s metaphorical structure, they can be seen as representing the middle class in society—those who uphold the system but still answer to higher powers.

The square masks, worn by the highest-ranking guards, oversee the operation and ensure the games run smoothly. Compared to the other two, they represent authority and stability.

Above all, the guards are the VIPs, who wear fancy animal masks to signify their wealth and power. They sit at the top of the hierarchy, exploiting both guards and players for their entertainment.

By transforming these childhood symbols into tools of control, Squid Game critiques systemic inequality and illustrates how power structures strip individuals of their freedom and identity.

Interestingly, the masks also reference the Korean alphabet: the circle stands for ‘O,’ the triangle for ‘J,’ and the square for ‘M,’ spelling OJM, short for Ojingeo Geim, the Korean title of Squid Game. This linguistic nod further ties the shapes to Korean culture.

References:

https://collider.com/squid-game-masks-explained/

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/10/11/entertainment/television/Squid-Game-art-director-set/20211011144722358.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/web-series/squid-game-season-2-symbols-on-guards-masks-real-meaning-explained-noeul-netflix-article-116875436

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/squid-game-masks-explained-whats-the-meaning-of-circles-triangles-and-squares/articleshow/116891734.cms?from=mdr

https://www.prestigeonline.com/sg/lifestyle/culture-plus-entertainment/records-broken-by-squid-game-season-2/#:~:text=Squid%20Game%20season%202%20broke,most%2Dwatched%20premiere%20on%20Netflix.

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