DD (6th grade) just said everyone was obsessed with it at school and wondered if I’d watched it yet. She said she hadn’t watched yet because it sounded boring. Not sure if I buy that, but also not sure I want her to watch it based on the premise. She’s watched all of Stranger Things and been fine, but this seems more “realistic” or something. She hasn’t read/watched The Hunger Games yet, by her choice.
Curious if you’ve watched it, is it as good as the reviews say and would you let your mature 6h grader watch it?
Post by wanderingback on Oct 2, 2021 20:56:29 GMT -5
I have not watched it and have no interest in doing so but I read this fascinating thread and tik toks from someone who speaks Korean who said the translations are really bad and you watch an entirely different story with the English subtitles. I thought it was really fascinating.
I assume this happens often, but wonder how budgets affect this and how much the original writer gets a say in the translation process.
My husband binge watched a lot of it today. I did not see tons but from what I caught I definitely wouldn’t want my 6th grader watching it. Lots of blood and violent killings for no reason (not that there is really a good reason to kill).
I finished it yesterday. It’s a Korean horror series with out monsters (if you don’t count the humans). So you can’t really compare it to Stranger Things. It’s adults playing kids games for money. If they lose they die a violent death.
For those who liked Squid Game, I recommend Alice in Borderland. That was a really good Japanese game horror series too.
Post by gretchenindisguise on Oct 2, 2021 21:44:23 GMT -5
We are watching it with our 12 yo/7th grader. We wouldn't let them watch it alone.
This is going to be kid dependent, but I don't think many would be ready for it before 7th. I think hunger games with adults and direct viewing of the death is accurate, but my kid generally doesn't like gore but has been fine with this.
I have not watched it and have no interest in doing so but I read this fascinating thread and tik toks from someone who speaks Korean who said the translations are really bad and you watch an entirely different story with the English subtitles. I thought it was really fascinating.
I assume this happens often, but wonder how budgets affect this and how much the original writer gets a say in the translation process.
I'm only on the second episode but I have to say that I'm intrigued by it.
I wondered this about the dubbing/subtitles! I was kind of bummed to learn that it was dubbed - I would much prefer it to be in Korean and just have proper subtitles :-( But I guess they wanted it to be available to a larger audience.
Post by basilosaurus on Oct 3, 2021 3:41:26 GMT -5
jennybee1018, you can switch to Korean audio with English subtitles.
I've watched through ep 4. The deaths are violent, but I don't find it particularly gory. Mostly single gunshots and instant death, at least through what I've watched (I assume it gets worse). It's the arbitrary nature of so much death that gives the impact IMO. I have found a few scenes to be unwatchable. Things like constantly flashing lights.
IANAP, so I can't answer the age thing. I'm personally on a break, and I'm not sure if I'll resume. Some things feel glacial. And some of the voice actors are terrible.
I did watch one of the tiktoks about translation issues. Some of the subtleties she points out I actually understood just from having lived there, even if I don't speak the language. I'm sure I miss the vast majority of them, though. And then there's pure laziness in the subtitles like writing Seoul University and leaving out National even when the voiceover says SNU. If you can't even do that correctly, what other bigger things to you fuck up?!
I have not watched it and have no interest in doing so but I read this fascinating thread and tik toks from someone who speaks Korean who said the translations are really bad and you watch an entirely different story with the English subtitles. I thought it was really fascinating.
I assume this happens often, but wonder how budgets affect this and how much the original writer gets a say in the translation process.
Here’s the one I read on Twitter which popped me over to TiKTok:
Thanks everyone. I'm glad she said she had no interest, but even if she did, I don't think I'd let her. She's definitely hates gore and doesn't enjoy death, which is why she won't read the Hunger Games right now. I think Stranger Things was ok for her b/c it's more fantasy. I didn't actually "let" her watch that, she started at her cousins house and I let her continue since she wasn't showing any signs of nightmares or anything after a few episodes. I think she likes it so much b/c it's kids who kick ass and save the day.
Post by definitelyO on Oct 4, 2021 10:27:03 GMT -5
We just finished the 5th game and have one more episode left. It is not appropriate for 6th graders at all. it's very bizarre and honestly the 4th game was even really intense for both me and my 15 yr old DS. gretchenindisguise, yes, we both cried during game 4 results.
I also feel it's really shallow and unless the last episode really ties things up there are a LOT of unanswered questions for me.
we are watching the dubbed version. some of the voices don't really seem to "match" the characters. I prefer to listen vs. read our shows - but we're also watching Money Heist dubbed as well
also my question - is this a popular show in Korea?
Netflix was sued by a SK broadband provider over this show- so, I'm going to venture- yes.
I personally don't consider it shallow at all, it had a lot to say about the inequities between classes and sexes, the frailty of morals, and the limitations of love and friendship. I just don't think most kids are going to catch *any* of that, which reduces the entire series to a simple battle royale (which is an unhealthy message for children).
I finished it yesterday. It’s a Korean horror series with out monsters (if you don’t count the humans). So you can’t really compare it to Stranger Things. It’s adults playing kids games for money. If they lose they die a violent death.
For those who liked Squid Game, I recommend Alice in Borderland. That was a really good Japanese game horror series too.
I liked that one a lot (but, yeah, another TV-MA series, so not great for kids)!
We've watched the 1st 3 episodes and my 8th grade boy would not be OK with it. The gore is one thing, but the darkness of it is a lot for a pre-teen / early teen to handle.
also my question - is this a popular show in Korea?
Netflix was sued by a SK broadband provider over this show- so, I'm going to venture- yes.
I personally don't consider it shallow at all, it had a lot to say about the inequities between classes and sexes, the frailty of morals, and the limitations of love and friendship. I just don't think most kids are going to catch *any* of that, which reduces the entire series to a simple battle royale (which is an unhealthy message for children).
I guess I mean shallow in that it could be developed more. disclaimer: I haven't watched the last episode yet.
But - more insight/depth as to why some of the other characters were chosen to be in the game. What was the point of the side action the doctor was helping with, more back story on the leader and the cop. so maybe I just want "more" in depth analysis - vs. it being a shallow show. Who is really behind it all? were the VIPs in episode 5 the financial backing? and sounds like there are more of these games around the world - so - just more....
Netflix was sued by a SK broadband provider over this show- so, I'm going to venture- yes.
I personally don't consider it shallow at all, it had a lot to say about the inequities between classes and sexes, the frailty of morals, and the limitations of love and friendship. I just don't think most kids are going to catch *any* of that, which reduces the entire series to a simple battle royale (which is an unhealthy message for children).
I guess I mean shallow in that it could be developed more. disclaimer: I haven't watched the last episode yet.
But - more insight/depth as to why some of the other characters were chosen to be in the game. What was the point of the side action the doctor was helping with, more back story on the leader and the cop. so maybe I just want "more" in depth analysis - vs. it being a shallow show. Who is really behind it all? were the VIPs in episode 5 the financial backing? and sounds like there are more of these games around the world - so - just more....
I think that's just the nature of planning for season 2! It's annoying, though, I absolutely agree.
also my question - is this a popular show in Korea?
Netflix was sued by a SK broadband provider over this show- so, I'm going to venture- yes.
I personally don't consider it shallow at all, it had a lot to say about the inequities between classes and sexes, the frailty of morals, and the limitations of love and friendship. I just don't think most kids are going to catch *any* of that, which reduces the entire series to a simple battle royale (which is an unhealthy message for children).
I’m not sure adults will catch all that. I admit I was thinking there was nothing redeeming about it. H has been watching it and I am not enjoying it. But, I also can’t watch the gore, so I’m probably not paying enough attention to *get* it.
DD2 (12yo) and I were going to start watching it Saturday night, but the ratings made me pause. I’ll probably watch it first to see if it’s ok for her to watch.
Post by Queen Mamadala on Oct 4, 2021 18:21:15 GMT -5
We were counting down to this one. H and I watched it with out teenagers. We loved it. We watch a lot of Korean streaming programs.
We had several discussions throughout the show in the relevant social commentary re: classism, sexism, xenophobia, tribalism, etc. Most of what we watch will have a teaching element/tool that addresses sociopolitical or sociocultural/religious ideas and customs.