Squid Game is easily one of the most eye-catching names for a TV show in recent memory, but the Korean smash hit almost went down a much more vanilla route for its title.
In less than a month after its release, Squid Game has become the most successful show on Netflix, and is now worth almost $1billion £654million) after 111 million people watched the bloodbath in just 28 days.
At this point, a season two feels inevitable.
But just weeks ago, before everyone had devoured the nine episodes in one go, it was hard to escape the whispers of ‘wtf is Squid Game’?
Netflix Asia executive Kim Min-young has now revealed the streamer actually gave the show a different name, fearing international audiences wouldn’t understand the reference to a real children’s game popular in Korea.
‘Initially, we knew we wanted this show to travel but we were worried the title Squid Game wouldn’t resonate because not many people would get it,’ she told Hollywood Reporter.
‘We went with the title Round Six instead, wanting it to be more general and helpful for telling people what the show is about – there are six rounds to the game.’
Eventually though director Hwang Dong-hyuk stepped in to suggest Squid Game captured the ‘essence’ of the series.
‘I think the more authentic title has actually played really well,’ Kim continued.
‘The title, Squid Game, together with the eye-catching artwork, really capture interest within our service – especially for audiences who have never watched a Korean show before but are looking for fun things to watch.
‘I think we tend to underestimate the curiosity that a lot of our members and audience have. In trying to make it really easy to understand what the show is, we could have made a big mistake. I’m so glad director Hwang steered us back to Squid Game – it sparks curiosity and captures the story so well.’
Squid Game is available to stream on Netflix.
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