Review of The 8 Show and Squid Game as Survival K-Dramas

Netflix Korea continues its streak of adapting webtoons into successful projects with their latest release, “The 8 Show,”following the hits of “Mask Girl”and “A Killer Paradox.”The series, based on Bae Jin-soo’s webtoon “Money Game,”is directed and scripted by Han Jae-rim.

Even before its release, “The 8 Show” was already drawing comparisons to “Squid Game,” as it also follows a survival game narrative and is backed by Netflix. However, unlike “Squid Game,” the game in “The 8 Show” is on a smaller scale and has a completely different storyline. The eight-episode series takes place in a mysterious building, where eight strangers are forced to compete in a game that rewards them with money for trading their time. The survival game has a crucial rule that prohibits anyone from dying; if someone does, the remaining participants must leave without any winnings. Similar to other Korean works, such as “Squid Game,” “The 8 Show” also uses its story to

A Crazy, Unexpected, and Thrilling Adventure

“The protagonist of “The 8 Show”is a young man carrying a heavy debt, making him a relatable character in society. Despite lacking conventional qualities such as looks, talent, and cunning, he possesses a kind and trusting nature. However, this virtue proves to be a disadvantage in the survival game. This character, known as “3F,”joins the game while struggling with debt and contemplating suicide. Similarly, the other seven participants are identified by their floor numbers rather than their names, highlighting their dehumanization in the game. Even when they leave the game, they do not bother to ask for each other’s names, reflecting the loss of humanity in this unknown game.”

The group of eight individuals, known as “1F”(Bae Sung-woo), “2F”(Lee Joo-young), “3F”(Ryu Jun-yeol), “4F”(Lee Yul-eum), “5F”(Moon Jeong-hee), “6F”(Park Hae-joon), “7F”(Park Jeong-min), and “8F”(Chun Woo-hee), all have uncertain and difficult futures. Each character represents a distinct personality, making the game a microcosm of society. Despite their unique traits, they all share a desire to escape their current circumstances, facing rejection from society and struggling with financial desperation.

In contrast to “Squid Game,”the 8-person game involves participants who are unaware of the rules or their next task. They must strategize ways to prolong their time, as time serves as their currency. Additionally, they must entertain their audience in order to earn more time, not simply to pass the time. This entertainment includes activities such as running, performing circus acts, dancing, singing, showcasing martial arts, engaging in intimate acts, and even inflicting harm on one another.

This aspect of players being able to develop their own games and establish their own rules brings a unique perspective, bringing a sense of intrigue, thrill, and unpredictability to the viewers. The unequal treatment and resources given to each floor, where food and water are delivered through an elevator, highlights the existence of a social hierarchy. The upper floors indulge in luxuries and subjugate those in the lower floors, while the lower floors crave for revolution, leading to the intense uprising of “1F”.

Despite the middle part of the series objectively slowing down and reducing tension, the violence remains somewhat overused, albeit not extreme due to the rule against deaths. However, “The 8 Show”stands out as a creative and wild script compared to typical Korean films, especially in the survival genre. Additionally, the show takes viewers on an emotional journey, leaving both players and viewers uncertain about the mastermind behind everything and what insane rules may come next.

“The 8 Show” masterfully integrates social satire, surpassing “Squid Game” in delivering its message

“Featuring a total of eight gripping episodes, “The 8 Show” offers a brutal examination of capitalism, modern society, and the inherent selfishness of human nature in the never-ending pursuit of wealth. While “Parasite”and “Squid Game”both satirize the class disparities and dehumanizing struggles for money in South Korean society, “The 8 Show”takes a unique approach by exposing the harsh realities of inequality, class division, and exploitation in a distinct manner. Unlike the violent games in the aforementioned shows, where the wealthy use the poor’s desperation for their own entertainment, “The 8 Show”features an unknown mastermind who remains a mystery even to the audience. Each player must create their own

The 8 Show exposes the absurdity and brutality of survival games by highlighting how characters learn what “viewers”want from them—by becoming sensual, violent, humorous, and degrading the weaker players.

Despite the absence of direct orders, exploitation remains an ever-present issue and the most vulnerable individuals are left to suffer in a crumbling society. The audience is presented with a raw depiction of human nature, where individuals are driven to violence, whether willingly or not. While brief glimpses into each character’s past offer some understanding of their actions, it is clear that their desire for money and their willingness to compromise their morals drives their decisions. Throughout the film, both players and viewers are left questioning the true value of the wealth being displayed on screen.

In contrast to “Squid Game,””The 8 Show”effectively conveys its message without resorting to forced or half-baked philosophical ideas, as seen in some earlier works.

“In addition, “The 8 Show”is a concise series consisting of 8 episodes, each with a runtime of under an hour. The scriptwriter skillfully utilizes every minute of the show to portray the intense race against time between the eight players. Despite some unresolved plot points, including the ending of “1F,”the series effectively develops its characters and captivating setting, mostly centered around a single building. The director’s decision to alter the aspect ratio between past and present scenes adds a compelling layer to the narrative. This technique allows the audience to differentiate between past traumas and present realities. As the story of each character unfolds, their personal growth is visually represented through changes in aspect ratio.”

Overall Rating: 4/5

“The drama series “The 8 Show”effectively delves into the complexities of eight characters that reflect modern society. It explores the moments when kindness fades and selfishness takes over, taking the characters on a journey from desperation to hope and then to their worst moments of fear and longing. The cast, particularly Ryu Jun-yeol as “3F”, Chun Woo-hee as “8F”, and Park Hae-joon as “6F”, deliver outstanding performances that evoke a wide range of emotions. This makes “The 8 Show”arguably one of the most intense Korean dramas and a top Netflix original series of early 2024, deserving of a round of applause.”

K14 is available on Netflix.