Capitalism

Due to Korea's changing economy and plummeting reliance on industry, many middle-class mobile workers are being forced into lower-paying jobs. A number of these people are in debt and are willing to go the extra mile to pay it off. The exact scenario is featured in Squid Game with people killing each other for money. With a plot that combines drama and socio-political issues, Squid Game uses its story and characters to construct the impact of capitalism on different layers of society. Capitalism brings all fun for a certain class while another class struggles for food.

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Imperialism

In episode 7 when a number of rich and entitled VIPs bets on the lives of struggling people, it resembles South Korea's history with American Imperialism. The VIPs had set the game for their entertainment which came at a cost of lives. While the players are fighting for their lives, these VIPs enjoy the show with utmost luxuries. 

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The Korean Tension

The ongoing border tension between South and North Korea is evident in the series. Sae-Byeok, a refugee from North Korea is desperate to bring her mother to the South. Her brother is in a shelter waiting for her sister to reunite him with their mother. Sae- Byeok desperately finds illegal ways to bring her family together.

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