The most popular series in Netlix history, Squid Game, returns to the platform with a second season as the country is in real political chaos.
Just a few days ago, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yool sparked a national crisis by briefly declaring martial law until he was forced to make a dramatic U-turn over the decision of lawmakers who clashed with heavily armed soldiers in parliament.
Yun remains in office after surviving an impeachment attempt, and his party has been accused of attempting a "second coup" to hold on to power. The opposition is vowing to try to oust him again and mass street protests are expected this weekend.
Squid Game, which explores themes of division and inequality, is considered one of the most significant works in cinema to cement South Korea's status as a global cultural power, alongside Oscar-winning film Parasite and K-pop megastars BTS.
Hwang Dong-hyeok, who wrote and directed both seasons of the series, said he felt a "weight in my heart" from what happened in his country ahead of the red carpet premiere of the second season today. The world premiere is scheduled for December 26.
"It's extremely unfortunate and infuriating that the whole nation can't sleep because of such absurd circumstances," he said at a press conference in Seoul.
Because of the political chaos, South Koreans should "take to the streets and spend the end of the year filled with anxiety, fear and depression," Dong-hyeok added. He himself stayed up all night to watch the martial law developments on live news broadcasts.
The filmmaker called on the "person responsible" for the real-life drama, President Yun, to take responsibility, "whether through impeachment or voluntary resignation." | BGNES
