Director Han Jae Rim of the Netflix series The 8 Show recently addressed the perceived similarities between his show and the global hit Squid Game.
In an interview on May 22n, Han explained, “When I was offered (to helm) the project, it was before ‘Squid Game’ was released. ‘Squid Game’ did so well that I wondered if I should proceed. I never imagined it would become such a classic.”
He continued, “I considered incorporating ‘Money Game’ and ‘Pie Game’ (two webtoons the show is based on) elements. I wanted to create a story where no one dies. Even if there are similarities, it’s a completely different narrative. These differences mean there was no influence (from ‘Squid Game’).”
About the similar setups the two shows share that have been pointed out, Han emphasized, “‘Money Game’ came first. There was no moral consideration in that regard. Our concept of realistic fake costumes fits the show’s logic. Numbers represent ranks.” He further elaborated, “The organizers in our show are different. In ‘Squid Game,’ the organizers are clearly the villains, allowing viewers to feel a sense of thrill despite the deaths. In our show, the organizers are invisible. This was a conscious choice to avoid giving viewers a sense of pleasure. We constantly questioned how much entertainment we should provide for the audience.”
The 8 Show, which premiered on May 17th, follows eight individuals trapped in a mysterious eight-story building where they can earn money by accumulating time in the dangerous game. The series marks director Han Jae Rim’s first foray into television drama, following his successful films like The Face Reader and Emergency Declaration. The cast includes Ryu Jun Yeol, Chun Woo Hee, Park Jung Min, Lee Yeol Eum, Park Hae Joon, Lee Joo Young, Moon Jung Hee, and Bae Sung Woo.
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