The Rise of the “I’ve Played These Games Before”Meme on TikTok
The meme that originates from the popular Netflix series Squid Game has surged in popularity on TikTok, capturing the attention of users worldwide. This catchphrase stems from a dramatic moment in Season 2, where the main character Seong Gi-hun, portrayed by Lee Jung-jae, exclaims, “I’ve played these games before!” while addressing fellow competitors. This line is delivered with notable intensity as Gi-hun seeks to influence the group’s decision.
Following the air date of Season 2, Episode 3, titled “001,”which released on December 26, 2024, the scene resonated deeply with audiences, particularly gamers. Almost instantly, the English dubbed version of Gi-hun’s declaration became a staple for meme creators. The striking delivery and context made it a fitting metaphor for those claiming expertise in competitive settings.
One of the earliest TikTok posts featuring this line came from user @squidgamefanpage29, which garnered over 346,500 views within a week of its upload. The phrase quickly transitioned to humor about gaming prowess, often with a comedic twist.
@squidgamefanpage29 #squidgame
#squidgamenetflix
#squidgameedit
#squidgames
#squidgamesfanpage
#squidgamekdrama
#squidgamefyp
#squidgames2
#squidgamenetflixseries
Gaming and Beyond: The Meme’s Evolution
Initially, gamers adopted the meme to humorously highlight their “veteran” status in online gaming communities. A standout example is TikTok user garfieldl0ver6, who posted a video on December 27 portraying the dynamic between a few inexperienced players and a knowledgeable “pro,”which racked up over 1.1 million views.
The meme began to spread across different content areas as well. Another TikTok contributor, @eviethesilly, creatively applied the reference to anime fandom, claiming veteran knowledge through a video that received 591,000 views and garnered 191,000 likes.
@eviethesilly IVE PLAYED THESE GAMES BEFORE 💔💔💥
#anime
#manga
#animetok
#jujutsukaisen
#jjk
#dandadan
#aot
#mha
#csm
#chainsawman
#jjkmanga
Another popular iteration featured content creator munburumu, who humorously depicted the enthusiasm of eighth graders about transitioning to high school. This video achieved 1.8 million views and approximately 398,000 likes.
The Ongoing Popularity of the Meme
As of January 2025, the “I’ve played these games before”meme has shown no signs of fading, continually being used on TikTok to encapsulate expertise across various contexts, from gaming to unusual hobbies. It illustrates a broader trend wherein social media users draw relatable humor from shared experiences and cultural references.
This meme, alongside other trending phenomena such as the ‘indigo’ fad and the ‘pretending I got into Harvard’ craze, exemplifies the vibrant, ever-evolving landscape of TikTok trends. The community’s engagement with these cultural moments serves as a testament to the platform’s humor and creativity.
For further insight and images, refer to the source here.
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