Humans are…

I sped through the final season of the television series “Squid Game” over the weekend. The hit Korean thriller ended on a cliffhanger last season, with its main character, Seong Gi-hun, still involved in the games. He returned in hopes of unmasking the individuals behind the ruthless competition that recruited people burdened with overwhelming debt. Their desperation to pay off what they owed, coupled with their greed for more, kept them playing in the brutal tournament. The ending was rather open-ended, typical of many Korean dramas. It left the audience analyzing what could happen next, without discounting the fact that the cycle of the games will likely never end.

To me, “Squid Game” is symbolic of many aspects of reality, particularly how we deal with capitalism. If I remember my social science correctly, capitalism is an economic system where private individuals or corporations control the means of production in a given industry to maximize profit. Oftentimes, these industries dabble in gambling, targeting those seeking a reprieve from already-difficult lives. They prey on individuals susceptible to taking repeated risks until there’s nothing left to lose.

That’s exactly how it plays out in real life. We all experience moments when we gamble not just with money, but also with our relationships, goals, ambitions, and dreams. The desire to have more pushes us against the wall, compelling us to do whatever we can with whatever power we have to attain it. When the final episode of the show wrapped up, Gi-hun’s final words were “Humans are…” spoken in Korean. It leaves the audience to complete the sentence themselves.

The producers of the show teach us the beauty of humanity despite its flaws. All the bloodshed and psychological warfare over who to eliminate forces us to reflect on how fragile life truly is. The players turn off their emotional switch when the stakes are high but deep inside, they are still human with emotions. Similarly, in a bigger arena, there are always “VIPs” who enjoy watching us turn against each other even to the point of death. These powerful people find pleasure in the violence while maintaining their regal distance. When the pawns fight, it becomes entertainment for them --a sick form of fetish.

The show reminds us to re-evaluate what we truly value and what we are willing to sacrifice. Life is a game of chess, where every move must be calculated, or we end up in a checkmate. It teaches us when to draw the line especially when the next generation is involved. While the cycle of capitalism continues and does not seem to end, we must acknowledge that there are ways to avoid falling victim to it. Contentment has always been key so that we don’t throw away what is most important to us. Sure, a capitalist mindset can remove us from suffering, but it is never without the expense of others. Just like the games in the show, clear tactics may lead one to the finish line, but there is always another hurdle waiting after each victory.