Squid Game : The Power Of Persistence

Sorry for the hiatus, was watching telly.

Speaking of telly, heard of Squid Game? Probably not it’s pretty underground now, only the second most popular Netflix show of all time and soon to be first. Don’t worry, I’m not going to spoil it here for you, although if you haven’t watched it yet, what have you been doing? Living a varied, social and fun-filled life I bet, you loser.

Went to the dark place there, back to Squid Game.

It’s a South Korean show about people competing in deadly children’s games for cash. It’s bleak outlook on modern economic life combined with stunning visuals and uncomfortable gore has captivated the world, but there’s an even more interesting story is took place behind the scenes.

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk wrote Squid Game an astonishing 13 years ago, in the hazy, balmy days of 2008 but didn’t find a production company for it until 2019 when Netflix picked it up, looking to expand their program schedule to include shows from foreign markets.

Seriously, this dude wrote this script whilst going through his own financial troubles, having to sell his own belongings and move in with his parents because he was so broke. He sat on it for 13 years. 2008! Let me regale with you with stuff that was happening when Hwang Dong-hyuk wrote the most popular show of 2021.

• Cristiano Ronaldo won the Golden Boot during his first stint with Manchester United
• Fidel Castro was still President of Cuba, and also alive
• The Hadron Collider was activated in Switzerland, remember that thing?
• Barack Obama was elected for his first term
• Breaking Bad was written, came out and completed in between the time Squid Game being written and picked up

That’s mental. I was 12, and spent most of my time pretending to be the Undertaker and had a pretty gnarly bowl cut, which on reflection must have really messed up my attempts to be an intimidating professional wrestler. Also, I was probably about 4 foot 5 which also wouldn’t have helped.

Anyways, it’s incredibly motivating that when creating something, whatever it is, you don’t have to see results right away. As long as you believe in what you’ve made or done, there’s still a chance that you could see unparalleled success, no matter your circumstances. If you need me, I’ll be practicing my Undertaker wrestling skills so when I’m 38 I can be the Deadman.