Summary
While both shows have their own strengths and narrative differences, the similarities between Netflix’sThe 8 Showand the global smash-hitSquid Gameare undeniable. Both shows follow a group of contestants as they’re put through multiple challenges of survival for a cash prize, forcing them to make alliances and enemies as they discover how far they’re willing to go for money. But despiteThe 8 Show’s likable charactersand shocking twists,the series fails to reach the narrative or thematic heights ofSquid Game.
DespiteThe 8 Show’s similarities toSquid Game, which was immensely popular at the time it was released, the new series didn’t find the same level of acclaim. One of the main reasons forSquid Game’s success was that it was released at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when audiences were stuck at home and watching more TV than ever - so it’s to be expected thatnothing has quite rivaled it yet. However, this series paves its own identity;The 8 Showhas characters who meet creative ends, unique challenges with fun twists, and just as many ongoing mysteries.
8 Biggest Similarities Between The 8 Show & Squid Game
Squid Game and new Netflix’s K-drama The 8 Show share many similarities and their likeness strengthens a bold commentary on social issues.
The 8 Show Could Have Been Netflix’s Next Squid Game
There Was Potential For Another Smash-Hit Series
If there was ever a show that could’ve somehow manufactured the same success asSquid Game, it’sThe 8 Show. The two stories are strikingly similar, from the foundations of the premise to the pervading atmosphere.The 8 Showeven maintains the uncomfortable, eerie tone from start to finish that madeSquid Gameso engaging to watch. The story itself also bears many similarities - there are contestants wearing numbered jumpsuits, decorations themed around childhood, games to ensure your survival in the challenge, andan underlying current of violencethat gets more overt as the series progresses.
Thematically,The 8 Showis also very similar toSquid Game. It’s a social commentary on greed, capitalism, and selfishness, using these games as an extended metaphor for how all three concepts influence each other. The characters who look out for themselves are the ones that make it to the end, and the ones who display kindness and compassion are often the first ones out. This is a crucial part ofSquid Game’s ending, andit’s just as important inThe 8 Show.
Why The 8 Show’s Premise Was So Similar To Squid Game
Did One Of Them Copy The Other?
While it’s easy to assume thatThe 8 ShowcopiedSquid Gamebecause of their similar concepts, this story was actually conceived long beforeSquid Gamebecame so popular. In reality,The 8 Showis based on a webtoon calledMoney Game, which follows much of the same narrative of the show. The cartoon was released in several volumes, with most of the show’s episodes sticking to a similar format and adhering closely with the original story.This dispels any rumorsthatThe 8 Showis a clone ofSquid Game.
Beyond the narrative similarities, there are details in the show’s cinematography and action choreography that are very reminiscent ofSquid Game, so it’s not impossible that the show had a profound impact on the bones ofThe 8 Show.
However,The 8 Show’swriters definitely could’ve been influenced bySquid Game’s success, and taken some ideas from the hit series to make their own scripts more accessible and recognizable. Beyond the narrative similarities, there are details in the show’s cinematography and action choreography that are very reminiscent ofSquid Game, so it’s not impossible that the show had a profound impact on the bones ofThe 8 Show.However, fromeverything that’s known aboutSquid Gameseason 2, it seems likethe two projects are only going to drift further apart.
Netflix’s “Next Squid Game” Is Impossible To Predict
The Show Came Out Of Nowhere
Ultimately, the idea of a “next Squid Game”, if it exists at all, won’t be anything that can be predicted - because that’s precisely what madeSquid Gameso popular. It wasn’t a show that audiences had been anticipating for a long time, at least not internationally. The magic ofSquid Gamewas how unexpected and out-of-nowhere it was - most people had no idea what they were getting themselves into, and it was entirely down to the merits of the story to keep them invested. In many ways,that’s even more impressivethan piquing viewers’ interests pre-release.
Admittedly,Squid Gamedid have an A-list castand a significant budget which meant it was always going to attract a domestic audience, but it was the worldwide success that took everybody by surprise. That’s something that simply can’t be predicted - certain shows will always perform well in their home country, but nobody can know whether they will find success across the world. The fact thatSquid Gamemanaged to do so well outside of Korea is a testament to its universal story, with its clever commentary applying to society on a global scale. Given this universality, its no wonderThe 8 Showhas been compared to it.
The 8 Show
Cast
“The 8 Show” is an upcoming South Korean thriller and dark comedy television series set to release on Netflix in 2024. Written and directed by Han Jae-rim, the series stars Ryu Jun-yeol, Chun Woo-hee, Park Jeong-min, and other notable actors. It is based on the popular Naver webtoons “Money Game” and “Pie Game” by Bae Jin-soo.
