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Netflix series The 8 Show is in the limelight for its similarities with the 2021 mega-hit drama Squid Game. The 8 Show aired all eight episodes of the thriller series on May 17 depicting the story of a reality show where contestants participate to win a huge prize money.
The 8 Show follows the story of eight individuals participating in a money game show that isolates them into an eight-story building, each individual living on a floor striving to stay there the longest to win the prize.
Meanwhile, Squid Game depicted the story of individuals struggling financially entering a show where they work harder to reach a new level to win the cash prize of 45.6 billion KRW. However, only one person lives by the end of the game and is crowned as the winner. The structure of the two Netflix series piqued netizens' attention as they found similarities in watching the show.
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The reminiscence between The 8 Show and Squid Game sheds light on societal issues like class inequality and capitalism in the contemporary era, where people go to extreme lengths to earn money risking their lives. Although, the K-drama does not necessarily make a sole survivor its winner, however, with the increasingly difficult conditions contestants may take big steps to harm other players.
What sets the Netflix series The 8 Show apart from Squid Game
The 8 Show is based on the well-known webtoon Money Game and its sequel Pie Game written by author Bae Jin-soo. The show has been reimagined into a drama series by director Han Jae-rim who assumed the role of the screenwriter and the director.
The drama stars Ryu Jun-yeol, Chun Won-hee, Park Jeong-min, Bae Sung-woo, Lee Yul-eum, Lee Joo-young, Moon Jeong-hee, and Park Hae-joon, each actor is referred to as 1st Floor, 2nd Floor and so on till the highest 8th Floor.
Focusing on the dark comedy genre, this show delves deeper into each character's emotions and psychological thinking. Unlike Squid Game, The 8 Show showcases the story of every character with each episode as there are only 8 contestants.
The show promises a closer look at a player's personality, background, and motive which led them towards the game, and how they would approach the winning prize through their skills. Furthermore, Han Jae-rim's thriller series has a different set of rules that allows participants to accumulate money with passing time, however, each contestant will receive a different amount based on the floor they pick.
One of the rules also allows contestants to purchase any necessities like food and drinks but the money for the purchase will be deducted from the prize money at an unusual rate.
More about The 8 Show & Squid Game 2
K-drama The 8 Show is narrated by actor Ryu Jun-yeol who plays the role of “3rd Floor”, in the game as someone who is in debt and has to repay a huge amount of 900 million KRW. As the game begins, the 3rd Floor receives 30,000 KRW per minute which is 1.8 million KRW per hour and 43.2 million KRW per day.
As Ryu Jun-yeol's character tries to take his life at the Han River, he receives a mysterious message offering a position in the game. It is yet to see which player wins this survival reality game.
Following the Netflix 2024 drama lineup, Squid Game is expected to return with a second season almost 3 years after the release of its inaugural season. The show will star new actors including Kang Ha-neul, Im Siwan, Park Gyu-young, Jo Yu-ri, Yang Dong-geun, Lee Jin-wook, Kang Ae-sim, and many more. The cast members from the previous season including Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, and Wi Ha-joon will return in the upcoming season.
