When was the CNN opinion piece about "Squid Game" published?
The CNN opinion piece exploring the reasons behind the widespread obsession with the South Korean drama "Squid Game," particularly among American audiences, was published on October 23, 2021.
### Why did "Squid Game" resonate so deeply with American audiences?
The article suggests that the show's themes of economic hardship, debt, and the struggle for survival struck a chord with contemporary American societal issues. Many viewers found the characters' desperation to improve their lives relatable, mirroring the pursuit of the "American Dream." This connection to financial struggles and inequality helped explain the show's significant cultural impact in the US.
### How does "Squid Game" reflect American societal issues?
"Squid Game" portrays characters facing dire financial circumstances, such as overwhelming medical debt and workplace exploitation. These fictional scenarios were seen to mirror the real-life struggles of many Americans dealing with economic precarity and the pressure to achieve financial stability. The show's allegorical nature, while set in a fictional context, tapped into a very real sense of economic anxiety prevalent in American society.
### What makes "Squid Game" a global phenomenon?
While the CNN opinion piece focused on the American reception, "Squid Game" became a global hit due to its universal themes of inequality, survival, and the critique of capitalism. The show's compelling narrative, striking visuals, and exploration of the human condition under extreme pressure transcended cultural boundaries, making it a worldwide success. The show's popularity was noted as a recent phenomenon around the time of the article's publication in October 2021.
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## References
* https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/23/opinions/squid-game-netflix-why-americans-are-obsessed-lowe/index.html
* https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/12/media/squid-game-netflix-viewership
* https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/10/06/opinion/columns/Squid-Game-policymaking/20211006195449675.html
* https://www.aubg.edu/aubg-today/the-zero-sum-squid-game-opinion-piece/
* https://wayfarai.com/
