On September 17, 2021, Netflix’s original series Squid Game came out. In addition, the show is about a father, Seong Gi-hun, who is an all-around loser and has a lot of debt. But, he received a mysterious invitation to participate in a game to compete for a 45.6 billion Won ($38 million) prize. In fact, it’s currently the most-watched show on Netflix in most countries.

On the other hand, there is an issue on Twitter that has been largely debated, the Squid Game subtitle or dub from Korean to English is not accurate. Resulting in English-speaking viewers really grasping the full meaning of the series. However, the squid game on Netflix took the title as the best Netflix show of 2021.

Likewise, the popularity of Squid Game is a part of increasing global engagement with popular and commercial Asian culture. To note, Lee Jung-Jae plays one of the leading characters in Squid Game. Thus, Real Research published a survey on the Squid Game craze around the world to find out how popular the Squid Game series is.

Highlights

  • 53.30% of respondents have already watched the Squid Game series on Netflix
  • Mainstream Korean content is gaining popularity along with k-pop
  • Respondents chose Lee Jung-Jae as their most favorite character
  • The show’s popularity led to a rise in Squid Game gifts and merchandise

Squid Game Still Holds Much Popularity

Since Squid Game smashed the top-rank show in over 80 countries, Real Research conducted a survey regarding this popular show. To begin with, Real Research asks the respondent if they already watched Squid Game. As a result, 53.30% of the respondents have already watched Squid Game on Netflix. As for the remaining 46.70%, they have heard about the show but haven’t watched it yet.

Respondents who have already watched the show
Figure1: Respondents who have already watched the show

In addition, the survey also asked what made people watch Squid Game? 28.75% of the answers from the respondents said out of curiosity because everyone talked about it. Also, 10.36% of the respondents said they watched because the actors are good.

Read Also: Netflix: Measures on Increasing its Subscribers

The Global Popularity of Asian Culture

28.05% of the respondents answered that Korean content is also getting popular along with k-pop. Additionally, it is also a part of increasing global engagement with Asian popular and commercial culture, often mediated through the dominant non-Asian distributor channels. Meanwhile, others (9.31%) said it combines both the fun and brutality of human beings.

Squid game popularity globally
Figure 2: Squid game popularity globally

Squid Game Brings Back Childhood Memories

As a part of the survey, Real Research asked respondents which childhood game from the show they most often played. Most of the respondents answered the Mugungwa flower has blossomed (29.44%).

Squid game brings back a childhood memory
Figure 3: Squid game brings back a childhood memory

To clarify, the Squid Game series took its name from a Korean children’s game where the attacking team tries to get through the middle of the squid shape drawn on the ground with the goal of tapping the squid’s head with their foot to win. However, if you are pushed out by the defending team, you are eliminated.

Read Also: Google and Apple Likely To Withdraw Services in South Korea Due to the ‘Anti-Google Law’

Respondents Choose Their Favorite Character

Along with this Squid Game survey, we ask people who is the most favorite character on the Squid Game series. 27.53% of the respondents chose Lee Jung-Jae who plays Seong Gi-hun — the gambling addict and the show’s main lead.

Squid game favorite character
Figure 4: Squid game favorite character

Furthermore, due to the popularity of Squid Game, a variety of Squid Game gifts and merchandise are on the rise. Real Research also asked the respondents which of them they most wished to purchase. Most of the respondents chose the green tracksuits worn by the characters in the show (27.64%).

Methodology

Survey TitleSurvey On The ‘Squid Game’ Craze Around The World
DurationOctober 15 – October 22, 2021
Number of Participants50,000
DemographicsMales and females, aged 21 to 99
Participating CountriesAfghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, China (Hong-Kong), China (Macao), China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco,Mozambique, Myanmar [Burma], Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Sweden, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.