Squid Game (TV Series) Ji-ok (2021) User Reviews

Would you keep playing?

[ptasinskichris · 8/10 · 22 September 2021]

This episode - while it does kill the tempo of the show - is a much needed addition to fully understand the feelings of the main characters of being lost, trapped and being completely alone in their predicament.

After the events of the first episode, I could not believe that anyone would want to continue playing the game. The second episode offers a pivotal perspective of each player, showing how a debt-riddled life (along with individual problems) is the real hell - from which the only escape is by winning the sinister game, even if it means dying trying.

Not so much action, but interesting.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 16 October 2021]

It seems as though this would have made a little more sense prior to episode one, as it has more of a set up feel about it, however it develops the story, and gives us a bit more insight into the personal life of our central character.

The vote was an interesting scene, and it was fitting that number one played such a pivotal role.

Slower than part one, and perhaps a little padded, but I did enjoy it, it didn't shy away from a bit of gore and violence.

Odd, but good, 7/10.

Great character development.

[Analog_Devotee · 8/10 · 5 November 2021]

I see some reviewers referring to this episode as "filler" but I kindly disagree. Just because this one didn't end with some wild, far out action as the last one did doesn't automatically make it filler. This episode focused more on character development, and if you can't see that, it speaks volumes to your attention span. Would you rather see a bunch of action scenes back to back to back featuring characters you know nothing about? I can't imagine wishing for a sheer lack of substance.

Great episode that is getting unnecessary hate

[spainahmad · 9/10 · 30 September 2021]

We get to see all the characters and their real lives, very interesting episode. When you are broke in real life, does it matter if you put your life at stake in order to try to make it better?

Underrated and essential episode

[goat-04054 · 9/10 · 11 October 2021]

Yes the fact they quit the game to then go back at the end of the episode, might be a bit devious. But I'd say it's really worth it. We get insight into the lives of our main characters and I'm pretty sure the future episodes will have a lot more stakes because of this. Excited to see what's next!

A Little Slow, But Necessary

[gbarrett-39941 · 7/10 · 26 September 2021]

This episode is much slower than the last one, but does a deeper dive into the characters motivations. You can feel the dread that each character experiences and what makes them feel they have to continue. Great setup.

Build up

[deborayim · 9/10 · 29 September 2021]

Korean drams usually have a slow build up while developing characters. The ppl who survived the first game voted to be released back to their reality. But once they were out, most realized that the real world that was waiting for them is just as cruel without the games, guns or threat of immediate death. Most people cannot justify with themselves for killing others for their pure gain. If this episode didnt exist, it would have been harder for the audience to truly root for the core characters. So even though when ppl go back to the game and they are hungrier, more desperate, and fully committing to the game to come out as the sole winner, we root for them to suceed(killing off each other).

Continue?

[AhmedDaReviewer · 6 October 2021]

Very strong second episode, Even though It's more slow paced and character driven than the first one, It is still very good and not something you wanna skip, It shows us more of the real lives of our main characters, their motives, and how desperate they're for the money and it reminds us that sometimes our real lives are harsher than a kids game where you literally die if you lose or make a wrong move, I especially like the last 20 minutes, Really great stuff, Let's hope episode 3 is as strong as this one!

Continue or quit the game?

[AvionPrince16 · 7/10 · 3 October 2021]

Squid game and the power of money. This episode is a little more slower than the previous one. It tell the story of all the characters that leave the game and with the financial problem and other difficulties. They all have problem with money and they realise that they cant do nothing in their real life so they go back in the Squid Game and they will try to earn the money. I think the most important thing with this episode is we have for each character some poweful reason to want all of them to win but we know that can t be possible because only one winner is possible. Good episode anyway.

Character driven installment

[lareval · 8/10 · 26 September 2021]

This one starts in a surprising way that could make you believe the show's already over or out of steam. But be patient and pay attention to the characters and the details. So rewarding watch! Plus, a shockingly real depressing reality that even if we escape a trap alive, sometimes see don't really have nowhere to go... But to come back to play.

More than horror...

[dakuchonekobing · 7/10 · 2 October 2021]

This is an episode that focuses on the psychological development of the characters. We can understand each person's story clearly and thereby empathize with the characters. The dark side of the poor lives in society is clearly told through each story really effective, but these stories are quite fragmented and lack of connection with each other, sometimes a bit lengthy, sometimes when it's a bit short.

The voting at the beginning of the episode was shown to be rushed and quite childish, although it brought a pleasant surprise. I love the scene where the father runs to his ex-wife's house to beg her for some money and accidentally meets his daughter, this scene is good. This episode could have been better if the characters' stories were told alternately little by little instead of one after another.

There are still a few absurd details that appear, for example, why did the police reveal the suspect's crime to his mother when they still don't know his whereabouts? This is not true in real life.

And one more thing, I really was hoping they would tell the family story of the old man with brain cancer more, the viewer should have gotten to know more about him in this episode.

Important EPISODE!

[AyonSahaa · 8/10 · 10 October 2021]

This episode is important! We didn't know the struggle and real-life problems of those people. What is the reason behind the fact that they came to play games?

Now we know. It's a little bit slow episode but necessary. I liked the way of storytelling. The writer puts an emotion on them. It's now getting attractive.

Outside Squid Game

[ZegMaarJus · 7/10 · 18 November 2021]

This episode begins with the players, 201 players are left in the game. 255 players died in the first game. The players are voting if they want to stay in the game. Gi-Hun votes to stop with Squid Game. Il-nam votes to go, the Squid Game ends for now. Il-nam wants to go back to Squid Game. Jang Deok-su kills a man on the bridge. Gi-hun, Sang-woo and all the others go back to Squid Game contest. Solid Episode of Squid Game Season 1, this episode was a episode on pause. Still okay tho.

Do you want to play a game?

[be23zE · 5/10 · 5 October 2021]

The first episode was really good. The second is... decent but filled with tropes. Stepfather who is more of a father to the stepchild, the detective who is naively obsessive over the mystery, mysterious criminal woman who actually has a tender heart and loves her little brother/son, and genius prodigal son who is actually not at all what the glitter suggests.

I was enthralled by the first episode. It was nothing extraordinary or inventive, but it was a damn good ride. Sadly, I found myself getting sleepy during the second. Nothing here is unexpected and I feel like this show wants to shock you. Now, I knew virtually nothing of the story going into Squid Game, yet, I saw everything coming a mile away. As soon as the characters voted to terminate the game, I knew what was going to happen next.

There is some backlash on the translation here. I haven't read any of the articles but I did see the headlines. I have to say, some of the lines just don't flow. Everything is cohesive sure but not every line feels natural. That may be nitpicking, though, I have seen some excellent translations in foreign media. Urawasa's Monster, for example. A good translation should make you forget you are reading subtitles. Squid Game does this for the most part but sometimes it comes off as a bit goofy. This could be because of the original writing so I can't say which is to blame.

Still, the acting is on point here. I found myself experiencing second hand depression and hopelessness through the actors' performances. But the show is coming off more and more as uninspired. Have you seen Saw? Then you know what you are getting into when you watch Squid Game.

Slow, Boring, Important.

[jamesenoch89 · 8/10 · 4 October 2021]

I think this episode catches a lot of flack, but I also think it's meaningful and important to the overall story arc. It enforces that the players subject themselves to the game upon their own volition going forward. They are no longer victims, but accomplices.

A very good and useful episode

[851222 · 8/10 · 23 October 2021]

Greetings from Lithuania.

"Hell", the second episode of the series was good, because it took a closer look to characters and their motivations. It was a surprisingly good episode, because after first one i thought they will just go on "all in". But "Hell" was a very needed episode that was good and at the same time involving. Can't wait to see more.

Living In Poverty

[vivianla · 12 November 2021]

Well the majority voted to end the game (with the old man having the last vote as player number one). The players are dumped out of the van in their underwear out on the side of the road, tied up.

The pickpocket gets dumped alongside our main character in a white sports bra and panty. The main character promises to not ask for his money back if she unties him. After cutting off the tie around his wrists, he hops to her and demands his money back.

Life goes back to normal - back to hell. The supposed businessman gets numerous texts about his loans. He lives in a gorgeous residence - we learn to never judge a book by its cover.

His mother talks to him on the phone, telling him how hard work it must be. She reminds him to eat well and dress warmly then ends off saying I love you. A customer comes and they talk about her son. She proudly tells the customer how her son is a Seoul National University grad who studied business administration. He is now in the States. The customer asks if he is married and she said not yet, her son is very picky. Another lesson - always stay humble to not lose face. The police come by and ask the mother about her son because an arrest warrant has been issued. The poor mother loses face with the customer who is equally as shocked.

The pickpocket is a North Korean who wants to bring home her parents. Her little bro is mad at her for not bringing them back on time.

The old man sees our main character and they sit together. The old man plans on going back to the game. They eat dry ramyun and drink soju.

We see a police officer who goes to visit his brother who is missing. He sees a card that is the same one as our main character's from the game. He approaches the main character near his home to ask for help. The main character refuses so he takes it into his hands. He follows the van picking up people for the game. Inside a van, the pickpocket is not unconscious as she did not breathe in the gas.

Filler episode!

[mm-39 · 6/10 · 2 October 2021]

Filler episode! Well Hell episode is kinda hell to watch! The viewer experience all the contestants troubles. Family, age, and other dynamics play into the dynamic when a second card to re invite the characters too play more deadly games. Police do not believe in the game, all but one! Hell is a filler character development episode which was on the long side. If you want to skip one episode this is the one. 6 stars.

HELL - An aptly named episode indeed

[hafaball-1 · 9/10 · 1 October 2021]

The first episode is called "Red Light, Green Light", the game they play that introduces everyone to what's in store for them: a slaughter to the greedy finish.

So what game could Hell be? Something terrifying? So insidious to change them all forever? No, it's back to their lives. Where we see how every character that's been introduced so far is suffering, in their own way with debt. A great subtle socioeconomic look at South Korea, this episode reminded me a lot of "Parasite". One could compare this show to "Alice in Borderland" for similar concepts, but I think "Hell" put "Squid Game" a little above "Alice" for this episode.

Boring episode

[elliotpower2000 · 6/10 · 21 October 2021]

Quite a boring episode there is no action at all seems like a filler episode. They hold a vote and decide to leave the game which I found quite shocking.

Amazing episode, why it's rated so low?

[JATIN-1989 · 9/10 · 6 October 2021]

This episode was really necessary to show us why people are even willing to go play those games which can claim their lives, it flesh's out the backstory of every character, you can really start to connect with the protagonists after this episode.

Now that was unnecessary

[aboalhyjaa · 6/10 · 21 September 2021]

This episode was slow and filled with unnecessary events leading to the same situation they were before-without any spoilers- Not to mention Netflix's habit that they were trying to push some political correctness and agenda, filled with some emotionless drama that didn't hit my nerves.

Unfortunately this episode killed the vibe, and to me they could've just skip it or at least not to make it a second episode. Maybe the first 15 minutes were good but after that the episode went from bad to worse, they could've done better but they have chosen not to.

Time out

[Leofwine_draca · 10/10 · 1 October 2021]

Obviously not as show-stopping as the first episode, this one takes time out in the real world to get to know and build our leading characters. Engrossing stuff and with the quality of writing to see it through; surprisingly bloody to boot.

Too much chit chat - but 7 for "Good"

[eminayuuki · 7/10 · 21 September 2021]

Like the beginning of episode 1, there's too much exposition, instead of getting to the important parts promptly.

More importantly, Netflix can't help but pander to Filipino viewers by mentioning the Philippines, yet again. I'm a Filipino but this stinks of fan service (like in Lucifer).

Complete waste of time

[hnt_dnl · 1/10 · 16 October 2021]

The first episode reeled me into this insanely popular new Netflix series and I was strapped in for a fun ride, but this second episode HELL completely stopped the momentum way too early. This episode was completely unnecessary. The definition of TELL instead of show. I literally looked away from my computer screen several times and know I didn't miss anything important because it was obvious all these characters were going to decide in the end to go back to playing the game due to their miserable lives. Every time I would look the subtitles, the dialogue was completely predictable. Random character whining about their awful life and being in debt. The Pilot already implied all of this for these characters. I didn't need all this retroactive exposition. If anything, THIS episode should have been the Pilot to give us all the set up for the game. This is the definition of burying the lead. Hopefully, the rest of the series gets back to the actual entertaining game.