The sequel of the hit Korean television series “Squid Game” has drawn positive feedback from fans worldwide since it was released on Netflix last Dec. 26. It made its way to the Netflix Global Top 10 with more than 68 million views and ranked No. 1 in 92 countries, breaking the record for most views for a show in its premiere week.

Season 2 has only seven episodes but it brings more star power, with the participation of Korean superstars like Lee Byung-hun (“Joint Security Area”), Kang Han-eul (“The Heirs”), Im Si-wan (“Misaeng: An Incomplete Life”) and Wi Hyun-yi (“The Worst of Evil”). Gong Yoo (“Coffee Prince”) makes another cameo to reprise his role as salesman and recruiter to the games.

In the second season, the main character, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) is Player 456 in the thrilling yet treacherous game, which offers a hefty cash prize of 45.6 billion won (roughly US$31 million) as participants gamble for their lives. 

The official Season 2 synopsis reads: “Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 gave up going to the States and comes back with a new resolution in his mind. Gi-hun once again dives into the mysterious survival game, starting another life-or-death game.” 

Gi-hun’s main goal is to destroy the game from within. He is joined by mercenaries who are prepared to infiltrate it. 

Social commentary

Director Hwang Donghyuk used traditional Korean games as context for the drama. “I do have a lot on my shoulders, but I’ll make sure it’s worth the wait,” he told Netflix in 2023. 

“Season 2 explores how Gi-hun follows through on his words after leaving the airport. Gi-hun’s endeavor to find out who these people are and why they do what they do is the core story of Season 2,” he said before the return of the series.

Beyond its do-or-die schemes, the series functions as a social commentary, exposing the brutal reality of a capitalist society where individuals pursue desperate or deadly measures to survive or gain wealth, according to Napoleon M. Mabaquiao Jr., PhD.

In the paper in Filipino titled “Hindi Ako Isang Kabayo. Ako’y Isang Tao: Squid Game, Kapitalismo at Etikang Pangnegosyo,” Mabaquiao, a faculty member at De La Salle University’s Department of Philosophy, identifies the core message of the series and criticizes its negative impacts along the line of Marxist thinking and using business ethics as a framework for analysis.

Marxism argues that capitalism should be abolished and replaced with a socialist economic system, while business ethics aims to promote and implement ethical practices within the framework of capitalism, particularly in business operations.

In Mabaquiao’s view, the main premise of “Squid Game” is competition: Players fight to the death and the prize money increases as the competition progresses. In business, the potential for bigger profit grows as competing businesses fold. 

Both the capitalist system and “Squid Game” have rules or policies that can be exploited to gain maximum profit, such as evading taxes and bribing officials to hasten the release of permits and licenses, among others. In “Squid Game,” players can kill competitors or are allowed to strategize to increase their chances of winning.

Players in both fields are motivated by personal interests. Business owners and game players may be motivated to gain power and influence, financial security, and social status. In extreme cases, some players just want to have fun.

The only way to win is to fight to the death, to crush other players. 

These actions necessitate judgment in terms of accountability and goodness, Mabaquiao says. After all, he says, these are done with knowledge and freedom, and all the actors can be held accountable morally. If someone commits a bad act with knowledge and freedom, he deserves to be blamed, punished, praised, or rewarded.

Business owners and “Squid Game” players have general knowledge of their fields and have freedom in their actions, which may be harmful or hold damaging consequences to others. Think of industries that potentially harm others, such as tobacco, gambling and mining, among others.

These actions may also constitute human rights violations, such as when companies underpay their workers. In “Squid Game,” the violation lies in vague and deceptive rules.

Lastly, these may result in unfair distribution of sacrifices and benefits. 

Ethics in business

There is a widespread belief that there is no place for ethics in the business world; it is grounded in four major arguments: the invisible hand, the visible hand, game analogy, and immorality of selfishness.

The invisible hand argues that a business can make a profit if it meets the people’s needs, so letting them pursue it can ultimately promote the common good. But profit can also arise from ethically questionable activities, like arms dealing, drug trafficking, gambling, and prostitution, or environmentally destructive practices such as irresponsible mining. These activities, while potentially lucrative, clearly do not contribute to the common good.

(This found resonance in me, being someone with a 20-year working experience and having refused to work in industries potentially harmful or dangerous to the general public. My personal rule is to never apply for employment in industries involving sugary drinks or tobacco, or those connected with shady politicians. I once made the mistake of working in a liquor company, attracted by the lucrative package and prestige of being employed by the best in the industry. This gig lasted only six months. I found myself depressed and frustrated with its unethical practices, which I refused to do.)

The visible-hand argument assumes that there is nothing wrong with a business action as long as it complies with government laws. However, there are laws that violate ethical principles, such as those that promote discrimination, restrict reproductive health, or infringe on fundamental freedoms. As the adage goes, “what is legal is not always moral.”

The game analogy argues that business actions are not covered by the scope of ethics. Businesses are akin to a game with its own sets of rules, and business actions are amoral. The fourth argument is that business is inherently selfish because the primary goal of a business is profit, which is   diametrically opposed to the selfless motive of goodwill. 

All these arguments make the discussion of ethics pointless.

If businesses are inherently selfish, why do companies engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities? It is not uncommon for corporations to hold feeding programs or tree-planting sessions, or donate education materials. 

Is it possible that these CSR activities are not driven by genuine altruism but by strategic self-interest? Is CSR simply a tool to enhance brand reputation and improve talent acquisition, and access to new markets?

Unethical competition

Mabaquiao argues in his paper that while the morality of capitalism hinges on fair competition, unchecked greed can manipulate the system, which may lead to exploitation and alienation. This is reflected in “Squid Game,” where the games expose the brutal consequences of unethical competition. 

In a now-deleted YouTube video, Netflix accidentally (or maybe not) confirmed the release date of the third season on June 25. In an Entertainment Tonight interview, director Hwang described the plot of Season 3 as “seeing the changes Seong Gi-hun goes through when he’s riddled with guilt and a sense of despair and loss.”

“Squid Game” is a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked capitalist competition. At the same time, it underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for resistance against oppressive systems. 

Said main actor Lee: “In Season 1, there was room to show glimpses of Gi-hun’s various personalities, such as his optimistic nature and positive energy. This time, the focus was on his determination.” 

Rochelle Leonor is a digital marketing professional and a graduate student of Asian Studies at the University of the Philippines. She may be reached at [email protected].