FAQ

As of February 14, 2022... 38,093,644.57 US dollars.

As of February 13, 2025, it's worth $31,656,007.92

The terrible acting of the VIPs in Squid Game was intentional. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk wanted them to come across as exaggerated, almost cartoonishly evil, to highlight how disconnected they are from reality and how little they see the players as actual people. The awkward, over-the-top dialogue and delivery were a result of several factors: a script written by non-native English speakers, casting choices that prioritized looks over acting skills, and a deliberate effort to make them feel grotesque and out of place. This was meant to reinforce their role as wealthy elites who see the deadly games as nothing more than entertainment. However, some viewers felt the execution was more distracting than effective.

Notwithstanding that the players have massive debts that this money could pay, it is worth thinking for a moment about how the rich really make their money.

Investment is part of the strategy, and standard procedure is to buy such things as real estate, shares in corporations, expensive paintings, and so forth, then sell them at a profit. This is called Capital Gains in the English-speaking world, and the primary manner in which rich people make their money. And, not coincidentally, the reason why the rich fight for lower Capital Gains Tax with every breath.

One problem with this strategy is the way in which many industries, a good example being cinema, television, and videogames, have reached a point where significant further growth is no longer possible. This is true of many industries and investments, and Squid Game, whether by design or not, touches on a significant reason. The working and middle class have reached a point at which their income growth is outpaced by inflation to such an extent that the discretionary spending to make the aforementioned industries grow is not an option.

The winner of the games can, in theory, use what is left after repaying their debt in the manner of rich individuals. But compared to Oh Il-nam, Seong Gi-hun would not be able to benefit from this strategy to nearly the same extent. For reasons that were outlined above.