Squid Game reflects real-life debt dramas

The gruesome endings for players in Netflix’s hit show Squid Game, may not be exactly what happens to people with money problems. Thank goodness.

However, the violent South Korean drama does reflect the real-life battles faced by those who desperately want to get out of debt. Anyone who has struggled to survive when they are swamped with loans and bills will relate to the torment the characters face, which could be why Squid Game is a global phenomenon.

The television series was created in 2009, by Hwang Dong-hyuk and he was inspired by his own financial difficulties and the class disparities in South Korea. He developed it during the global financial crisis but couldn’t find a production company prepared to pick it up until 2019.

Now, while the world is in the middle of a pandemic, an extreme survival drama about money is captivating people. The Debtfix Crew is hopeful that the popularity of a show about money problems indicates people are ready to have a conversation about the realities of debt.

Without giving away important elements of the plot, let’s explore the similarities between Squid Game and real life.

People get into debt for many reasons

From the start of Squid Game, it is clear the characters have fallen on hard times for many reasons. Some have relationship breakdowns or family troubles, whereas others have experienced business failures. Just as we see at Debtfix, there are characters with health problems, gambling issues and even immigration complications.

People with problem debt come from all sectors of society and have many reasons for not staying financially afloat. Some of those problems are within their control and others are not.

Desperate to get out of debt

The Squid Game characters are desperate to do anything to sort out their money problems, which makes them vulnerable to being exploited. The person inviting them to play appears to be offering a helping hand, much like high-interest lenders, retailers offering interest free deals and buy now, pay later providers in New Zealand.

The characters don’t read the contracts, don’t really know what they are getting into and when they try to get out of the game, they discover it is almost impossible. Sound familiar? Many people sign up for loans when they are desperate for money and later, they realise they are locked into an expensive contract that makes life worse.

Equal vs equitable treatment

When the contestants enter the game, they are not judged. Everyone is treated equally – not equitably, which means those who are possibly disadvantaged because they are older or don’t have the same knowledge, are less likely to win.

The same gap happens with money matters when we try to treat everyone equally. Some people need more financial guidance than others because they didn’t have an opportunity to learn as much about money when they were younger. A person with health issues or a sudden change in employment, may need more financial support than their peers when something major happens – like a pandemic.

One size does not fit all, and people need equitable debt solutions that are the best fit for their situation.

People react differently to money problems

In Squid Game it is interesting to watch the characters respond differently to the life-or-death pressure caused by their money problems. Some become violent, some are deceitful, whereas others sacrifice everything to help friends. They form allegiances that they think will be powerful, and some go on the attack while others adopt a defense strategy.

In real life, the same behaviours can be seen when people struggle to make ends meet. At our worst, money problems can push people to crime, whereas others will give away everything even when they can barely survive.

Sometimes we form friendships with people we think will help us, only to discover they use us for their own gain.

Don’t reach Squid Game desperation

While the survival drama is just a TV show, the Debtfix Crew doesn’t want New Zealanders struggling with debt to risk everything and leap into something as dangerous as Squid Game.

The Debtfix Crew will find a debt solution that is a win-win for you and the organisations you owe money to. Contact us now to learn how you can do much more than just survive.