Squid Game: How One Show Supercharged Korea’s Soft Power

Squid Game has had a massive impact on pop culture and even the global economy. With its second season out and a third already on the way, the show's influence keeps growing. There are even rumors about spin-offs. But it’s more than just a popular series — Squid Game played a major role in boosting Korea’s “soft power,” which is basically a country’s ability to influence the world through culture instead of politics or force.

The show introduced Korean culture to tons of new audiences, especially in Western countries. Suddenly, people were talking about Korean traditions, language, and social issues. Things like K-pop, Korean BBQ, dalgona candy, and traditional games like ddakji (featured in the series) got a lot more attention. Even though this trend started earlier with K-pop and the Oscar-winning movie Parasite, Squid Game really became the center of it all.

Its impact didn’t stop there. The show boosted Korea’s tourism industry by making fans want to visit the filming locations. Local economies around these spots got a nice boost too. On top of that, Korean TV and film saw major growth, with bigger budgets and better productions. It helped cement Korea as a big player in global entertainment, alongside Parasite and K-pop.

Another cool thing is how Squid Game proved that audiences are into darker, more complex stories. This encouraged producers to take creative risks and explore deeper themes. While Squid Game led the way, you can’t forget how much Parasite contributed too. Together, these two have reshaped global entertainment and put South Korea on the map as a cultural powerhouse.