Surviving Squid Game

An illuminating look at the origins, manifestations, and future prospects for the global juggernaut that is Korean pop culture

The “British Invasion” ushered in by the Beatles in the 1960s is but a spark next to the bonfire that is the inferno of South Korean culture now consuming audiences around the world. From K-pop bands like BTS headlining at the United Nations to the wellness industry’s obsession with kimchi's probiotic benefits, Korea is everywhere. Topping this greatest hits chart is Squid Game, a genre-bending Netflix series that has ignited social media platforms and inspired fascinated devotion across the world.

The seeds for a deep collaborative relationship between Netflix and K-drama had been sown long before the phenomenal success of Squid Game, but what particular social conditions allowed for this show to speak viscerally to global audiences today as the most-watched drama in ninety countries? In Way Ahead of Squid Game, scholar of Korean pop culture Suk-Young Kim throws back the curtain to reveal the multiple factors accounting for the global dominance of K-culture. It investigates the origins, manifestations, and future prospects for this cultural juggernaut, making it essential reading for both content creators and fans of Korean culture across all media.

Nicely illustrated, impressively informative, exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Surviving Squid Game: A Guide to K-Drama, Netflix, and Global Streaming Wars" is essential reading for the legions of Squid Game fans. "Surviving Squid Game" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community and academic library Television Game Show History collections and supplemental South Korean Popular Culture curriculum studies lists.

Suk-Young Kim is Professor of Theater and Performance Studies at UCLA, where she also directs the Center for Performance Studies. A specialist of Korean popular culture, her comments are regularly featured on CNN, NPR, Billboard and other major media outlets. Her books include

DMZ Crossing: Performing Emotional Citizenship Along the Korean Border and K-Pop Live: Fans, Idols, and Multimedia Performance.

Korea has fully stepped onto the global stage in stunning strides. From the Oscar-winning film Parasite to the pop juggernaut known as BTS, Korean popular culture has taken the world by storm. This new Korean wave has influenced global tastes in drama, music, fashion, and can even be seen in the beauty industry's obsession with Korean skincare products--Korea is everywhere. At the top of this list of greatest hits is Squid Game, a genre-bending Netflix series that has ignited social media platforms and inspired armies of devoted fans around the world. The seeds for a deep collaborative relationship between Netflix and K-drama had been sown long before the phenomenal success of Squid Game, but what particular social conditions allowed for this show to speak viscerally to global audiences today as the most-watched drama in ninety countries? In Surviving Squid Game, scholar of Korean pop culture Suk-Young Kim throws back the curtain to reveal the multiple factors accounting for the global dominance of K-culture. It investigates the origins, manifestations, and future prospects for this cultural trailblazer, making it essential reading for both content creators and fans of Korean culture across all media.

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