The new Netflix original Squid Game is an absolute hit, boasting a #1 spot on Netflix’s global rankings, and being the first Korean Drama to do so, according to Deadline. It has been received massively well on social media as well, with Squid Game-themed hashtags trending on Twitter and a viral TikTok trend emerging based off of a scene in the show. The CEO of Netflix believes that Squid Game is on track to become their “biggest show ever.”

Squid Game is one of Netflix’s newest additions, with all 9 episodes of season 1 premiering September 19. It is a thriller-drama, featuring a variety of themes to thoroughly disturb its viewers: blood, violence, and psychologically intense situations. The show also explores the brutality of living in desperation as a prisoner of gangs, and the lengths one would take to get out of that vicious cycle. The main character, Seong Gi-Hun (played by Lee Jung-jae), owes immense debt to his cold-blooded lender, is given the opportunity to play a sequence of games, where he may winner receive a cash prize worth enough to pay off his debts and live a comfortable life. He finds that he is actually one of 456 players in similar situations, set up to compete against each other. What they do not know is that by participating, they are putting their lives in serious danger. Throughout this arduous journey of a game, the characters face tough situations regarding human morality, wealth inequality, and the lack of trust or fairness within society.

Google reviewers describe the show as “fascinating” with “some great character development as well as an outstanding ensemble cast.” The cast is indeed highly diverse, and the audience gets a look their various backstories and unique reasons for participating in these obnoxious games. Although each character is given a distinct personality, they all share the experience of being beyond broke and having been cruelly exiled from the world. For example, a supporting protagonist, Abdul Ali (Anupam Tripathi), is a poor illegal immigrant trying to support his family, along with Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae Soo), who is on the run from law enforcement for financial fraud. The extreme stakes of the games cause them to commit acts of betrayal, dishonesty, and exploitation upon one another. Seeing this collision between the players really ties the show’s drama aspect together.

Squid Game does a good job at engaging its viewers and pulling them into the world of deadly, primitive competition. With so many shocking twists and  dramatic outcomes, it is no wonder why viewers find themselves so immersed into this storyline. Let’s just hope the show’s production does not get “eliminated” like many other audience-adored Netflix originals.