The Origins Of Squid Game’s Newest Creepy Doll Explained

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As a gamer who has been deeply immersed in various cultures and their narratives, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation when it comes to the introduction of Cheol-su in “Squid Game” Season 3. The inclusion of traditional South Korean characters like Young-hee and Cheol-su not only adds depth to the series but also serves as a powerful reminder of the universal nature of childhood games and their darker undertones.

The hints dropped by the creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, have left us all guessing about what role Cheol-su will play in the upcoming season. Will he be just another killer doll, or does he have a more significant part to play in the games? The post-credits scene of Season 2 has only fueled our curiosity, with the introduction of a train crossing sign that switches from red to green, hinting at something other than the usual “red light” or “green light.”

Now, I don’t want to speculate too much, but if we’re going by the trolley problem theory, we might see an even more twisted version of Red Light, Green Light that incorporates elements of this classic ethical dilemma. Imagine having to make life-or-death decisions while running from a giant doll! Now that’s a game I wouldn’t want to miss.

On a lighter note, I can’t help but wonder if the creators are secretly poking fun at us with these hints and theories. After all, they keep dropping breadcrumbs for us to follow, leading us down a rabbit hole of speculation, only to leave us hanging on the edge of our seats. It reminds me of those old-school text-based adventure games where you’d spend hours trying to solve puzzles just to find out there was no solution and the game was just messing with you. I guess that’s the joy of being a gamer!

One key characteristic of a hit series is the presence of memorable characters, and “Squid Game” certainly delivered on this front. The guards, distinguished by their pink jumpsuits and eerie masks, make for intriguing Halloween costumes, yet the show is equally defined by Young-hee, the towering girl doll that appears in the Red Light, Green Light games across both seasons 1 and 2. A lesser-known fact about “Squid Game” is that the giant doll is a real prop rather than a CGI creation. Moreover, it was subtly suggested in the post-credits scene of season 2 that Young-hee might soon have a companion.

The quick scene features some contestants walking into an arena accompanied by Young-hee and a large boy figure nicknamed Cheol-su. This toy has been eagerly anticipated in the series, as its introduction was hinted at by the show’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, all the way back in 2022.

Hwang Dong-Hyuk writer, director, producer, and creator of @squidgame has a message for the fans:

— Netflix (@netflix) June 12, 2022

In the context of the games, is Cheol-su’s role significant beyond being Young-hee’s boyfriend and a killer doll causing chaos? Or could he have a different purpose in the upcoming season? Young-hee displayed an alarming level of ruthlessness in Red Light, Green Light, as she meticulously monitored all players’ movements to decide who should be eliminated (or, more bluntly, killed). It remains possible that Cheol-su may have been reserved for the third and final season for something even more unsettling. Let us now delve into the deeper cultural implications of these two dolls.

Young-hee and Cheol-su are taken from Korean childhood stories

In a unique twist, Young-hee and Cheol-su are not ordinary female and male characters. Their names originate from South Korean folklore for children, often appearing in school textbooks to help kids learn reading skills or understand basic values. This is much like the use of Jack and Jill, or Dick and Jane, in American children’s stories when a tale relies on one boy and one girl.

As a gamer, I can’t help but be reminded of my childhood days whenever I hear the names Young-hee and Cheol-su. These names are the very foundation of this game world, setting the stage for our competitions. Whether it’s Red Light, Green Light, a fierce tug-of-war, or an intense pentathlon, each contest is a throwback to the games we used to play as kids. The irony lies in the fact that while these games were innocent and carefree back then, they’ve become deadly serious now for most of us participants.

Since Young-hee and Cheol-su are frequently likened to Jack and Jill, an intriguing fan speculation circulating online suggests that the initial game in “Squid Game” Season 3 may incorporate elements from the classic nursery rhyme of “Jack and Jill,” where contestants would have to fetch a bucket of water up a slope. There might also be hints of Red Light, Green Light, with players only allowed to proceed when one of the dolls announces, “Green light.” However, it’s important to note that this theory remains unconfirmed as to whether or not it holds any substance.

Koreans probably wouldn’t know about Jack and Jill

While there exists a game named “Jack and Jill,” it’s likely unfamiliar to individuals who were raised in South Korea due to cultural differences. On the other hand, the core theme of “Squid Game” revolves around traditional Korean childhood games that most characters would have played during their upbringing. This equitable setup ensures that no one has an initial advantage over another player, as everyone is on equal footing. In light of this, incorporating elements from a Western nursery rhyme seems inappropriate or misplaced within the context of the show.

Apart from Hwang Dong-hyuk’s comments to Entertainment Weekly that Cheol-su is a significant clue for an exhilarating development in Season 3, it seems this character might hold a key role. The only other hint we have comes from the post-credits scene where a train crossing sign changes from red to green, suggesting a different factor could initiate the game’s events, as previously the doll only mentioned “red light” or “green light.

In the upcoming season, it’s plausible that the game might relate to the Trolley Problem, an ethical dilemma about choosing between causing the deaths of five people versus one person. It could be that they will play a more complex version of Red Light, Green Light, integrating aspects of the Trolley Problem, with Cheol-su monitoring the players’ actions as well. However, these are mere assumptions for now, and until Season 3 is released, Cheol-su will continue to intrigue viewers as one of the most puzzling enigmas in “Squid Game” Season 2.

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2025-01-04 04:30