Since its Netflix debut, Squid Game has become one of the hottest shows right now.
The series ranked second on Netflix’s global top 10 chart, a feat Korea Times called a record for a Korean drama. It’s also the first Korean TV show to break into the US top 10.
Squid Game is the hottest show right now
Created by Hwang Dong Hyuk, known for hits like Silenced and The Fortress, Squid Game explores shocking survival themes on a cinematic scale. The star-studded cast includes Lee Jung Jae, Park Hae Soo, model Jung Ho Yeon, Lee Byung Hun, and a cameo from Gong Yoo.
What makes Squid Game so gripping isn’t just the action and mature scenes, but its dark social commentary, deep character psychology, and clever hidden details.
One of the most talked-about details is the trio of symbols: circle, triangle, and square. These shapes pop up constantly throughout the series.
The circle, triangle, and square appear on the business card at the start of the show
These three symbols show up in many scenes throughout Squid Game
Despite their prominence, many viewers mistakenly think these shapes were inspired by the PlayStation controller buttons, which also feature circle, square, triangle, and X. But there’s actually no connection between PlayStation and Squid Game.
Many viewers wrongly assume Squid Game’s symbols come from PlayStation controller buttons
According to The Focus, the circle, triangle, and square in Squid Game actually represent Korean Hangul letters.
The circle stands for the letter “o,” the triangle is part of the letter “j,” and the square represents “m.” Together, they form “OJ M,” short for Ojingeo Geim (오징어 게임), the Korean title of Squid Game.
The official promotional images for the show all feature these three symbols
Right from the first episode, Squid Game hints at these symbols through the main character’s childhood game, though not everyone catches it.
The childhood game is a traditional Korean kids’ game called “mugunghwa” or “squid game,” which uses the three shapes (circle, triangle, square) arranged to look like a squid.
The Squid Game in the series is based on this traditional Korean children’s game (Photo: MBC)
Since it’s a kids’ game, the rules are simple. Players split into two teams: offense and defense. The offensive team tries to step inside the small triangle at the squid’s head. If the defense team pushes them out of bounds or onto the lines, the offense loses.
