‘Squid Game' on, and Indians are excited
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated June 30, 2025)All good things come to an end, and so it is with Netflix's hit Korean drama, Squid Game. The most-watched international original of all time in India, the series concludes with the finale streaming from June 27. Such has been the show's cultural impact that the hooded pink jumpsuits and green tracksuits are a common sight at cosplay parties. Lead actor Lee Jung-jae, who essays player #456, the emotional heart of the show, never imagined Squid Game would strike a chord as far as India. 'To be able to speak to people from all over the world is one of the biggest joys to come out of it,' he said in an exclusive interview with india today.advertisementPart of Squid Game's universal appeal can be attributed to it shining a light on the economic disparity that compels the have-nots to take extreme measures to survive. For Lee Byung-hun, who plays the man behind the mask running the disturbing game, it's what makes the 'global phenomenon' status of the show feel bittersweet. 'We are happy [about the show's success], but the fact that global audiences loved it also means that they resonated with the saddening themes of losing hope and humanity...and being divided and taking sides.' Production director Hwang Dong-hyuk says he hopes the show inspires viewers. 'What I want to tell through season three is that we need to look into our own inner worlds and try to find some empathy and a conscience.'With the finale poised to break viewing records, Dong-hyuk admits he is ready to 'say goodbye to the show' he conceived back in 2009 when he had hit rock bottom. 'I projected so much of myself into the show,' he says, 'but it is time to leave it behind, prepare for the next step.'advertisement
Subscribe to India Today Magazine- Ends
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Liver King' arrested in Texas: All about raw meat influencer whose diet includes animal liver, testicles
Who is Liver King, the raw meat influencer? 10 points Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Disgraced fitness influencer Liver King was arrested in Texas after posting a series of bizarre social media videos, in one of which he challenged Joe Rogan to fight as he traveled to the popular podcaster's home state. Known by the name "Liver King " on social media, Brian Johnson faces a misdemeanor charge of making a terroristic threat and was booked into the Travis County Jail in Austin at 8:31 p.m. Tuesday, online records show.-Disgraced fitness influencer 'Liver King' was arrested in Texas after traveling to the hometown of podcaster Joe Rogan to challenge him to a fight.-Johnson, who gained over 6 million followers promoting an 'ancestral lifestyle' of consuming immeasurable amounts of raw meat, was taken into custody in Austin.-Concerning footage shared on Johnson's social media shows him challenging Rogan, a UFC commentator, to fight. 'Joe Rogan, I'm calling you out, my name's Liver King. Man to man, I'm picking a fight with you,' he said in a video shared on Monday.-Brian Johnson built a brand on extreme workouts, eating raw organ meat, and evangelising about masculinity. He preached 'ancestral living' and radical self-control, all while secretly using steroids.-Brian Johnson rose to internet stardom preaching the virtues of 'ancestral living' — a lifestyle built on core tenets that include eating whole foods, getting outside, and rejecting modern comforts.-Johnson was featured in the Netflix documentary 'Untold: The Liver King' about how he created his social media and supplement empire.-A Netflix documentary UNTOLD: The Liver King chronicles the 'ancestral living' persona's rise and fall in the public eye. The documentary unravels the wild story of the Liver King's rapid rise to internet fame, and the controversy that came after.-The podcaster moved to Austin in 2020 after leaving California during the pandemic and lives in a massive, $14.4 million home, according to Realtor.-Johnson claims his diet consisted of animal liver, testicles, and fertilized chicken eggs, along with outrageous workout routines. He claimed he earned his Greek god-like physique by following this insane diet and an intense exercise regimen with just a few supplemental pills.-However, it was revealed he misled the public after leaked emails showed he was spending $11,000 a month on steroids to achieve his physique. He later admitted he had experimented with testosterone and human growth hormone.
Pink Villa
an hour ago
- Pink Villa
Kpop Demon Hunters: Why Were Ahn Hyo Seop and Lee Byung Hun Chosen as Voice Actors in Animated Film? Director Reveals
A K-pop girl group made up of demon hunters versus a rival boy group of demons, who'll win? The exciting storyline unfolding in Kpop Demon Hunters has taken over the world with its animated charm, and now the director, Maggie Kang, has revealed how she chose actors Lee Byung Hun and Ahn Hyo Seop for the voice acting roles, emphasizing their existing acting skills. Speaking about making the story more related to Koreans than Korean-Americans, the creator shared with KBI Zoom, 'Working with active Korean actors was a key mission. This isn't a story about Korean-Americans but about Koreans living in Korea today.' Thus stemmed the idea of having Ahn Hyo Seop and Lee Byung Hun in the film. With the latter's success via the Squid Game series and his foray into the western world, he became the right pick for the role of the villain Gwi Ma. 'As the first Korean artist to break into Hollywood, I deeply respect and appreciate him.' On the other hand, Ahn Hyo Seop, as a K-pop trainee turned actor, became the male lead, Jinu, whose husky presence in the film has melted many hearts around the world. Maggie Kang revealed, 'Working with an actor who embodies the quintessential K-drama male lead was our dream. Ahn Hyo Seop brought authenticity to the story and characters.' About Kpop Demon Hunters With the story of Huntrix, comprising Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, fighting against the Saja Boys, and a quintessential romance breaking through, Kpop Demon Hunters is peak fantasy-action, blended into an animated marvel that is already breaking charts. A sequel for the film seems unlikely at this point; however, fans of the story have hopes for some update. Other voice actors for the film include Arden Cho as Rumi, May Hong as Mira, Yoo Ji Young as Zoey, Yunjin Kim as Celine, Daniel Dae Kim as Healer Han, Ken Jeong as Bobby, Joel Kim Booster as Romance Saja, Alan Lee as Mystery Saja, and SungWon Cho as Abs Saja.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Record-breaking web series of 2025; from Adolescence to Daredevil: Born Again
The year 2025 has been phenomenal when it comes to web series. Be it Netflix's hit Adolescence or the third instalment of The White Lotus, several shows have captured the imagination of audiences and shattered records. These shows released in 2025 can be called record-breaking for a reason. These shows could have an impact on Hollywood too as directors like Greta Gerwig and Rian Johnson enter into partnerships with streaming services like Netflix. Adolescence: The Netflix show became an unlikely hit for the OTT giant. Starring Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty, Adolescence follows a 13-year-old schoolboy Jamie Miller, who is arrested for the murder of a classmate. The show became Netflix's most watched show ever, as per Variety. It garnered an unprecedented 66.3 million views in two weeks alone. Severance season 2: The series surpassed Ted Lasso to become Apple TV+'s most-watched show ever, as per Deadline. The outlet claimed that Severance led to a 126 per cent increase in new Apple TV+ subscribers between January 1 and 19, 2025, as compared to December 1-19, 2024. The White Lotus season 3: The show managed to garner a lot of interest from the very first episode itself. The penultimate and final episode of the series edged out season 2 of the show to become its most-watched episode ever, reported Deadline. The season revolved around a cast of characters vacationing in Thailand, where secrets and lies turn an idyllic vacation spot into one filled with anger, grief and death. The Last of Us season 2: Pedro Pascal's return as Joel Miller was a moment of joy for many fans. This was short-lived as his character was killed off in a brutal manner in the second episode. Despite polarising views on Joel's death, the Last of Us season 2, episode 2 held a 9.5-star rating out of 10, making it the highest-rated episode of the entire series as of writing, as per Screenrant. Daredevil: Born Again: The show managed to grab attention from the get go with 7.5 million views on Disney+ in its first five days. This was the biggest streaming debut on the platform in 2025, as per Variety. Charlie Cox reprises his role as Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer with super senses who masquerades as a vigilante. Severance season 2, The White Lotus season 3 and Adolescence have managed to attract a lot of viewers. The plot centres around a 13-year-old accused of murdering his classmate. Pedro Pascal's character was killed off in the second episode of the season.
