Original release date: September 17, 2021
Seong Gi-hun is down on his luck and has enormous debts with loan sharks. While at a train station, he’s asked by a well-dressed man to play a game of ddakji, where if he wins a round he’ll get 100,000 won, but if he loses then the man will slap his face. After playing, the man gives Gi-hun a card, inviting him to play games with higher stakes. Gi-hun accepts and is taken, while unconscious, to a mysterious location with 455 other players who awaken in a dorm and are identified by numbers on their clothes. The location is managed by masked staff, and overseen by the Front Man, also masked. The players are all in similarly dire financial straits and will be given billions of won in prize money if they win six games over six days. Gi-hun befriends Player 001, an elderly man, and recognizes among the players Cho Sang-woo, a former classmate and businessman, and Player 067, a pickpocket who once stole his money. The first game is Red Light, Green Light where those who lose are gunned down on the spot. Gi-hun, though terrified, is encouraged by Sang-woo to play, and is saved from falling by Player 199. All three are able to complete the game.
* * *
[drum beating]
[drum beating continues]
[flute blowing]
[man] In my town, we had a game called the “Squid Game.”
We called it that because it’s played in a court shaped like a squid.
The rules are simple.
Children are divided into two groups, the offense and the defense.
Once the game starts, the defense can run around on two feet within bounds,
while the offense outside the lines are only allowed to hop on one foot.
It’s your mom.
[man] But if an attacker cuts through the waist of the squid passing defense,
then they are given freedom to use both feet.
[playful music]
Inspector royal.
[man] Inspector royal.
For whatever reason, we called that the inspector royal.
When we were ready for the final battle,
all the attackers gathered at the entrance to the squid.
Go.
[man] In order to win,
the attackers must tap the small closed-off space
on the squid’s head with their foot.
But if someone on the defense manages to push you
outside of the squid’s boundaries,
you die.
That’s right. You die.
[playful music continues]
[shirt tearing]
[playful music]
[playful music rising]
Victory!
[kids cheering]
[man] Victory.
Once you tap the squid’s head, you win and yell out, “Victory.”
At that moment, I felt as if I owned the entire world,
exhilarated.
[drum beating]
[drum beating continues]
[woman] Ah.
Um…
Is this my daily allowance or what?
No. Remember, Ga-yeong’s birthday is today?
[sighs]
Yeah. Of course, I do.
[woman] And don’t forget, go and get her, uh, something for dinner later.
Well, I can’t buy her a nice meal with these much. Times are tough.
Ga-yeong loves fried chicken, you know.
Go buy her some fried chicken.
Just chicken, Mom?
Don’t you think I should get a present for her?
Give me some more, huh?
[woman grunts] I’m broke.
[man] What are you talking about?
I gave you everything I made chauffeuring.
Oh, please, that petty change?
Hey, we can’t even pay your loan’s monthly interest off with that.
[woman grunts]
We can’t do that now, and we barely spend anything.
[grunts]
Let’s use some when we have to.
[woman] Goodness.
Oh.
[woman groans]
And will you stop working so much?
[woman] Make sure you soak the dishes after you’re done.
[woman sighs]
[door closes]
You don’t even make that much, plus you’re pulling your back out!
[receding footsteps]
[metal clinks]
[grunts]
[clattering]
[whispers] Ah!
[clattering]
[chuckles]
[tin can clanking]
[chuckles]
DAEHAN BANK
ENTER YOUR PIN
[beeping]
Huh?
[man] Hey.
It should be my birthday.
No way.
Pin number changed on you, huh?
I guess your mother finally abandoned you.
[chuckles]
[sighs] Hold on.
[ATM beeping]
[dings]
[man] Huh?
Oh, shit. What did that woman change it to, huh?
Try her birthday or, or something.
Her birthday?
Her birthday.
Um, uh…
You’re telling me you don’t know your own mother’s birthday?
Any kid knows that.
Hey!
Don’t say that. I do know.
Hey.
She celebrates it going by the lunar date, meaning it’s not the same every year.
Use your brain for once.
Then put in the lunar date.
[clicks tongue]
[groans] Come on. Work!
[ATM beeps]
Oh, goddamn it!
Oh, shit.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hold on.
They’ll block your card if you get it wrong again.
[sighs]
You really gotta think about this one.
[beeping]
[automated voice] Please select the amount you would like to withdraw.
Oh!
[both cheering and laughing]
What was it? Your birthday?
[exclaims]
My kid’s. It’s today.
Ah! The old woman cares about her granddaughter
more than her own son.
Ah, shit.
[beeps]
[commentator on TV] Number nine…
[man 1] Go, go, go.
[gambler 1] Come on!
[gambler 2] Come on!
[indistinct chatter and shouting]
[all cheering]
[gambler 3] Come on!
[gambler 4] Go, go!
Go! Yeah, come on. Go! Go!
[man 1] Go, go!
[gamblers shouting]
Let’s go.
[cheering]
[all shouting]
[man 1] Let’s go!
Go! Go! Faster!
[commentator speaking indistinctly on TV]
[indistinct screaming]
Dang!
[all screaming]
You told me that I was gonna win this. Goddamn it!
[man 2 groans]
[whispers] Stupid little jerk.
[indistinct commentating on TV]
How could you lose with an animal like that?
[man 1 sighs]
[woman on PA] Attention. Betting for the tenth race is about to end.
Please place your final bet.
[sighs]
I repeat. Betting for the tenth race…
Hey, man, hurry up, will you, please?
…is about to end. Please place your final bet.
[sighs]
Hey, buddy.
Hey, what are you… Ooh!
Please don’t touch me!
How about you leave me alone? Can’t you see I’m trying to think?
[groans]
[inhales, exhales deeply]
[grunts] Okay.
[commentator on TV] No. 9 Baekil Legend is placed right in the middle.
[man 1] That’s it.
[indistinct commentating on TV]
Come on.
[indistinct shouting]
Go, come on.
Go. Okay. Yeah.
[indistinct shouting continues]
[man 1] That’s it. Come on, come on!
Come on! Faster! Faster! Come on.
[gamblers shouting]
[indistinct commentating on TV]
[all cheering]
Yeah. Oh!
[all shout]
No. 6, Thunderflash, continues to run forward.
Go! Go!
Thunderflash outruns No. 7…
[gamblers shouting]
[man 1] Go six and eight!
That’s it! That’s it! That’s it!
[gamblers shouting]
[indistinct commentating on TV]
[man 1] That’s it! Go, six and eight!
[all cheering]
[commentator on TV] Second place from…
[gamblers shouting]
[shouting] I did it, man. Six and eight!
[all cheering]
Why did you choose six, anyway?
Oh!
Damn! What did I say?
Today’s June 8th. Six and eight! The day my daughter was born!
[rattling]
[cashier] Four and a half million won.
Oh, thanks so much.
Here. A little something for you. Thanks again.
What do I get?
[man 1 giggles] Come on!
[man 2] Hey, wait up for me, asshole!
OFF TRACK BETTING
[background chatter]
[car horn honks]
[man 1] I hope you’re excited. Uh-huh! I’ll pick you up after school, okay?
[cackles]
Fried chicken?
Hey, you can get something really expensive tonight, huh!
Don’t worry about the price at all, okay? Hmm?
Mm, mm, mm…
Think about what you wanna eat and make me a list during recess.
Okay, honey?
[laughs]
I’ll see you at seven then.
[in singsong] ♪ Guess what I’m getting for the birthday girl ♪
Look forward to it.
[both laugh]
You’re not gonna believe what…
[lender 1] Hey! Hey, Gi-hun!
[lender 2] Hey!
Long time no see, huh!
Hey, Ga-yeong, hold on, right. I love you too. Okay, bye.
Huh?
[lender 2] Hey, hey, hey.
He’s running!
Get him!
[Gi-hun panting]
Excuse me. Coming through. Sorry.
Oh. [heavy breathing]
Oh! [Gi-hun grunts]
Oh. [sighs]
I’m sorry.
Hey, kid, you okay? Oh. Shit!
I’m sorry.
[lender 1] Hey, get him!
[lender 2] Get him! Over there! Over there!
[grunts]
Wait a minute. Let me stand up.
Okay. Just… Look, I got cash for real.
Oh, yeah?
Uh-huh. [heavy breathing]
Then why did you run, huh?
Because I…
I, I’ve been saving up so I… I could pay you all the ones that I took.
[chuckles]
Goodness, what a trooper. Look at you.
[grunts]
So then, how much you got?
[pants] Four million.
Take this amount now. I’ll pay the rest next month, so…
What…
Oh! [grunts]
Hey, kid, you okay?
Oh. [groans]
Let me see. Oop, oop, oop, opp, oop,
[groaning]
Come on, let me see.
Poor thing.
[Gi-hun breathing heavily]
Ahh…
Got a sweet taste of it.
I guess you’re still eating well. Spending the money you know is mine.
I swear I had it…
I had it, I had your money.
Look, I bet on six and eight and they won, so I had the cash right here.
Hey.
[Gi-hun breathing shakily]
[panting]
[grunting]
Do you know why nosebleeds are so easy to get, huh?
[whimpering]
Because there are so many capillaries.
Oh, no. Hey, don’t do this.
I don’t wanna die.
[lender 1] Your blood was tasty.
I think my boys and I should make a nice delicious soup in it.
I’ll pay you! [sobs]
I’ll pay you. I mean it. I’ll pay you. [whimpers]
[crying]
Jesus, guy.
Don’t make me feel sorry for you with all that crying.
How did you know I was such a softie?
[sobs]
Hey.
[crying]
Okay, wipe off your tears.
Sign here and your fingerprint.
If you don’t pay it off by next month, I’ll take one of your kidneys.
And then after that, I’ll take one of your eyes. Okay?
You don’t like it?
No, uh, I got it. Yeah.
Next month is good with me. [breathing heavily]
Here.
Okay.
Well, I, I need ink.
[grunts]
[whimpers]
[lender 1 chuckles]
There, you got your ink. It’s all natural too.
Huh? [whimpers]
Oh.
[lender 1] That’s it. Right there.
DISCLAIMER OF PHYSICAL RIGHTS
[chuckles] You did it, huh!
You have one month. Take care of yourself.
Uh, hold on. Sir, excuse me.
I’m sorry to even ask but… [stammers]
may I please borrow 10,000 won?
[scoffs] You little…
[lender 1] Forget it.
[goons laughing]
WINDOW CLOSED
[Gi-hun] Excuse me.
Sorry to do this.
Uh…
Can I get back that 10,000?
[Gi-hun sighs]
THE FUN DOESN’T END, CRANE GAME
[kids yell excitedly]
[claw machine beeping]
[whirs]
[Gi-hun] Come on.
[frustrated scream]
[whirring]
Ah!
[claw machine beeping]
[Gi-hun yells]
Yeah. Come on. That’s it, that’s it.
That’s right. Ah!
[grumbles]
[yells]
Goddamn it!
[boy] Excuse me, sir.
You need to stop and pick the prize you want first.
Does that help you?
[guitar strums]
[claw machine beeping]
[rattling, clacking]
[Gi-hun] Ah. Ah…
That’s it. Good.
[whirring]
Yes, that’s it.
Oh!
Yay!
[both cheering]
[boy] Yay!
[both laugh]
[Gi-hun whooping]
Great job! Thank you. Thank you!
[both laugh]
[Gi-hun guffawing]
[boy] Yay!
[distant car honking]
Oh, this?
It’s a huge mosquito bite, that’s all.
Mosquitoes are really mean these days. Yeah.
Dad, you can be in all of the fights that you want,
but don’t get hurt too bad.
I’m sorry, sweetie. I really am.
You know, I wanted to buy you a nicer dinner than this.
It’s okay.
We went with my stepdad to a steakhouse earlier, so…
A steak, huh?
That’s nice of him.
Well, I still want tteokbokki a lot more, though.
[sighs]
[whispers] I’m not allowed to have it at home.
Mom says it’s junk food.
[Gi-hun chuckles]
[both laugh]
Eat up then.
Oh, my gosh.
Surprise.
Ga-yeong, I got your present right here.
[muffled gasp]
[Gi-hun chuckles]
[Gi-hun] Ah…
Uh…
You know why, huh? These days, even women go to war.
Uh-huh.
I mean, when you finally get older,
there’s not gonna be that kind of discrimination like we got now.
And you’ll need to get used to this pretty soon, you know.
[clacking]
Ah. [chuckles]
Oh, plus, it’s a lighter. [laughs]
Looks like the real deal, doesn’t it? [chuckles]
[laughs awkwardly]
I think you’ll get in trouble with Mom again
if she saw me holding this.
Is that right?
I’ll keep it then, just till you get a little bit older. Okay?
Hey, don’t smoke of it, though.
Oh, come on, I’m clean now.
[sniffing]
[chuckles]
All right. All right.
I’ll make sure I’ll stop smoking for real.
And you’ll see next year, huh, I’ll get an awesome present for you, okay?
Ga-yeong, I swear.
Next year?
Last year, you had a birthday.
This one came right around, right?
And the next one will be quick.
Um, Dad?
Hmm? Shoot.
Nothing. [nervous chuckle]
Okay. Come on, come on. Have more tteokbokki.
Excuse me, sir, one more order, okay?
And mix it with some of that in.
[sighs]
[Ga-yeong’s mom] Why did you bring her back so late?
She’s not dressed for the cold.
Oh, she got sleepy, I carried her.
We’re ten minutes late at most. Okay?
I said I’d drive down to get her, didn’t I?
It’s her birthday. Let’s not yell.
[Ga-yeong] Mom.
Oh.
Hey, Ga-yeong, hey, get down.
I’ll carry her to the elevator if you don’t mind, okay?
She can walk on her own.
[Ga-yeong] Mom…
Ga-yeong, get down.
Ah, jeez. Seriously.
[Ga-yeong’s mom] All right. Let’s go.
[Ga-yeong] Bye, Dad.
[Gi-hun] Go on in. Good night.
[sighs]
[train alarm beeping]
[Gi-hun] Ah, wait a minute! Hey, open the door!
Ah, shit!
[panting]
[train squealing]
[Gi-hun sighs]
[train speeding up]
[exhales sharply]
[footsteps approaching]
[Gi-hun sighs]
[scoffs]
[exhales]
Hello, sir.
Can I talk to you?
I don’t believe in Jesus.
[sighs]
It’s not that.
Listen, I wanna let you in on a great opportunity to…
[clicks]
[man sighs]
I come from a very long line of Buddhists, so find another guy to preach to,
Mister.
Would you like to play a game with me?
[sighs]
Who are you?
Salesman, huh?
You people have all kinds of tactics.
And I know you’re only doing your job, but I really don’t have time to sit here…
[guitar strums]
I’m sure you’ve played ddakji before, right?
Play a few round of ddakji with me.
And each time you win, I’ll pay you a 100,000 won.
[Gi-hun scoffs]
Wait, so if I hit your ddakji, and it flips over,
I get a 100,000 won?
And if I can flip yours, you will give me the exact same amount of money.
You can also be the first to play.
Hey, look, I had a bad day today.
You pull a scam or you rip me off, well, then, I’ll… I’ll kill you, huh?
So then it’s my turn, eh?
So which color do you wanna play as?
[grunts]
[frustrated grunt] Shh…
Well, what’s wrong?
So the thing is…
How about you use your body to pay?
A what? [grunts]
What the hell, man?
I’ll take a 100 grand off per slap.
[frustrated sigh]
One more round.
[alarm beeping]
[loud clacking]
[Gi-hun] One more round.
[Gi-hun grunts]
[quirky music]
[frustrated sigh]
[loud clacking]
[Gi-hun gasps]
[Gi-hun sighs]
[exhales sharply]
[yelps]
[Gi-hun grunts]
[clacking]
[grunts]
[grunts, yells]
[grunts, groans]
[sighs]
Oh! Ah! [exhales sharply]
[grunts]
[upbeat oriental music]
[Gi-hun grunts]
[inaudible scream]
[upbeat oriental music continues]
[inaudible scream]
[screams]
[guffawing] Did you see that? I beat you, man!
[Gi-hun laughing] Did you see that? I did it. I won.
Get over here. It’s my turn to do this.
[Gi-hun grunts]
What are you doing, jerk? [grunts]
Your 100 grand.
[rustling]
You’re welcome, sir.
Oh, yeah.
The money.
[train chugging]
[man] You know, sir.
There are other games like this where you can make even more.
Come on, it must sound tempting.
[scoffs]
Hey, dude.
Is this some new pyramid scheme or what?
Look, I’m desperate, okay?
Still, not that desperate yet.
[scoffs]
[man] Mr. Gi-hun.
[foreboding music]
Earlier, you signed away your physical rights.
Your name, Seong Gi-hun. 47 years old.
You attended Daehan Technical High School.
Worked at Dragon Motors, Assembly Team One.
The company laid you off ten years ago.
Opened a chicken shop, and then a small snack bar.
Both of them failed, you’re working as a chauffeur right now.
You’ve been divorced for about three years,
and your daughter is ten years old.
A hundred and sixty million won owed just to loan sharks,
and you owe 250 more to the bank.
Who are you?
What business of yours is all that?
We don’t have many spots left.
Just think about it.
[foreboding music continues]
[mouthing]
[train speeding up]
All right, then. [chuckles]
[Gi-hun humming]
♪ I got thirsty ♪
You drink at all tonight?
[laughs] No.
I haven’t had a drop, but I feel tipsy still, anyway.
Because look what I got. [cackles]
Gi-hun, what did you do now? You gambled again?
Don’t you look at me like that. I didn’t.
I earned it all this time. It’s all legit.
[vendor] What’s with your face, by the way?
What’d they try to beat you up for now?
Hey.
[Gi-hun] Forget it.
Sang-woo been around here?
How’s he doing at work?
Always keeping busy.
Right now, he’s on a business trip abroad.
Ah, ungrateful prick.
Tell him to give me a call when he gets back in town.
After all I did?
He got into Seoul National University, thanks to me.
I used to take him to school when we were young.
That’s why he went to school, got a good job.
He at least ought to buy me a drink.
What are you talking about now? Here, take this home, okay?
Not to a bar. Go straight home.
Here. Keep the change.
[Gi-hun singing] ♪ I open the fridge ♪
♪ To find a treat ♪
[scoffs]
♪ But she pour it all down… ♪
Prick! That was 12,000 won.
[Gi-hun singing] ♪ Mom salted the mackerel ♪
[sings indistinctly]
[cat meows]
[meowing continues]
[distant dog barking]
Hmm.
[cat meows]
[Gi-hun chuckles]
Are you hungry? Huh?
Here.
Come on. [chuckles]
You have to finish it, okay?
I got that with the money I made getting slapped, so enjoy it.
[chuckles]
Ooh. [chuckles]
♪ My stomach was empty Yeah, my pockets were light ♪
♪ I got thirsty late at night ♪
[cackles] Here. Some allowance.
Come on. Take it.
Hold on.
[inhales, exhales]
Were you out gambling again?
Of course not.
Wait a minute. What did you do to your face?
Answer me right now!
It was nothing like that!
Hold on. Are you saying this money is stolen?
I didn’t steal anything, Mom. I earned it all.
I worked, okay. All day, I worked my hands and face off to earn this money for us.
Oh, gosh.
[Gi-hun munching]
So did you get fried chicken for Ga-yeong?
Yes, I got her dinner…
and my present and everything. It was nice.
And did anything come up tonight?
Like what?
[deep inhale]
Ga-yeong, her mother, and her stepdad are all going somewhere.
They’re moving to the US next year.
And you’ll see next year, huh. I’ll get an awesome present for you. Okay?
Ga-yeong, I swear.
Next year?
The US?
That’s right.
Her stepdad’s job begins soon and needs him to go.
So the entire family is going to move there.
[sighs]
I see.
You hear me? How can you eat anything right now, huh?
You need to get your daughter to stay here.
And how do I do that?
We’re done. We settled that when we agreed to the divorce.
[sighs]
I talked to that young man upstairs who knows the law,
and he said that the father has to show the child
will have financial support, and when you can prove that…
then you can take custody. Huh?
If she moves to the US, you know what will happen?
She’ll forget how to speak Korean.
She won’t be able to talk to you like she can right now.
You’re going to become a stranger to her.
[both exhale]
Are you sure that you…
can really keep going without seeing your little girl?
[somber music]
[somber music continues]
[sighs deeply]
[clicks tongue]
[distant dog barking]
Ah, shh…
[inhales, exhales]
[keys beeping]
[line rings]
[man] Hello. Who’s calling?
Hello.
You gave me your business card earlier.
Do you wish to participate in the game?
If you wish to participate, please state your name and birthdate.
[mysterious music]
[inhales sharply]
[sighs]
[car approaching]
[man] Mr. Seong Gi-hun?
Uh, yeah.
Password?
Red light, green light. That’s the password.
[door lock clicks]
[door slides]
[door thuds]
[Gi-hun] Ah…
[sighs]
I guess everyone is…
pretty tired. Um…
How long will it take to get to the…
[steam hisses]
game venue or whatever?
[gasps]
[grunts]
[mysterious music]
[distant siren blares]
[rumbling]
[Gi-hun] Mm…
[faint classical music]
[Gi-hun] What?
[upbeat classical music]
[upbeat classical music rises]
[upbeat classical music continues]
[man 1] Fifty… Fifty-two…
What the…
Fifty-five, fifty-six.
Excuse me, sir.
And then, there are those…
What are you doing?
Stop talking to me or I lose count.
And so I was at 50, so the…
Ah, you must be trying to count how many of us there are, is that right?
That’s right. So could you stop talking to me for a while?
And then… Huh?
Hold on.
Where was I just then?
Up on the board, sir. There are 456 here.
[man 1 clears throat]
Oh. Look, that means you were given the number one.
And I’m… Oh.
I’m the last.
[chuckles]
I know all that too.
I’m just counting the numbers.
My doctor said counting is good so I don’t get dementia or anything.
If dementia’s a concern for you, then what are you doing here?
I think you’d wanna stay at home,
let your daughter-in-law cook your meals for you.
Go sit on a coffee chair somewhere.
And look at your grandkids, I think.
You think so?
What about both of your parents?
Do they get nice food cooked by their daughter-in-law all day long?
[man 1 sighs, coughs]
I don’t have much time left now.
Huh?
The doctor said there’s a…
a lump inside over here. Growing every day.
Your… your head?
Brain tumor.
[chuckles]
[man 2] You little shit!
[man 3] Stop them!
[background chatter]
[man 2 laughs]
[panting]
Hey!
Wow.
It really is a small world, huh!
Look at those eyes. You still have that temper, huh.
Then again…
nobody broke your spirit, you could always take a hit.
I took care of you,
I fed you, I taught you when you had nowhere else.
This is what I get?
You took more from me than whatever I might possibly owe.
If all of that’s true, how come you ran then?
Well, I didn’t. I went independent.
Hmm. [cackles]
“Independent”?
[sighs]
[crowd gasps]
[crowd exclaims]
[both grunt]
[man 2 grunts]
[crowd exclaims]
[crowd gasps]
[background chatter]
[woman grunts]
[man 2] Independent, huh? Are you some kind of activist?
Come on then, go wave a flag.
Oh, that’s right.
You’re from North Korea, huh? Then wave theirs. Hmm?
Damn you! [grunts]
[woman groans]
Hey, you come here. Hold still.
Oh. That scar on your neck.
You’re the damn pickpocket! You loser.
My money, give it back. Where is it?
You took it. I need it… Ah!
[crowd gasps]
[Gi-hun] What the hell?
Who are you?
Uh…
What do you think you’re doing?
Me? Uh, well… Look.
The name’s Seong Gi-hun. I live in Ssangmun-dong.
Hey, Ssangmun-dong shit.
Yeah?
This little bitch and I weren’t done talking.
Yeah, I understand that. It’s just there’s something that me and this…
woman should talk about urgently.
[sighs]
[man 2] You bastard!
What scheme are you two running?
[mocking laugh] You’re asking me?
What’s your problem with this girl, 101?
Yeah, I’ll bet that, that you’re a thug who preys on girls
that takes advantage of them.
Did you tell her to rob me like that?
You little son of a bitch!
Get away! Hey!
[crowd gasps]
Hey, he wants to hit me.
This thug is trying to hit me, huh!
Hey, somebody get over here! We need help!
[alarm buzzes]
Oh! Oh, there they are!
Over here. She’ll pick all our pockets, sir.
[clattering]
Him too. They’ll pick, they’ll pick…
[breathing heavily]
[enigmatic music]
[breathing heavily]
[masked manager] I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to you all.
Everyone here will participate in six different games over six days.
Those who win all six games will receive a handsome cash prize.
[man 3] And why should we believe that?
Y-You took all our stuff and put us to sleep coming here,
and then you brought us to this strange warehouse.
Now you’re saying you’ll pay us if we go and play a few games?
You really expect us to buy that?
[masked manager] We reluctantly took all of those measures
to maintain confidentiality as we brought you here.
We’ll return everything once the games are over.
You all… you all have masks. Why are you wearing those things?
[masked manager] We do not disclose the faces
and personal information of our staff to any of the participants.
It’s a measure we take to ensure fair games and confidentiality.
Please understand.
Well, I don’t believe you one bit. You got that?
You tricked us. We were kidnapped.
You can make as many excuses as you want
to make sure nobody knows you broke the law in here.
If you’re going to make up for that, then we’re gonna need something more.
[masked manager] Player 218, Cho Sang-woo.
[beeps]
[lights click]
Age, 46 years.
Former team leader of Team Two at Joy Investments.
Siphoned money off from his clients’ balances,
then invested it in derivatives and futures options and failed.
Current loss, 650 million won.
107, Kim Mi-ok, 540 million in debt.
118, Oh Yeong-uk, 1.02 billion in debt.
322, Jung Min-tae, 880 million in debt.
119, No Sang-hun, 1.39 billion in debt.
369, Park Ju-un, 900 million in debt.
Every person standing here in this room is living on the brink of financial ruin.
You all have debts that you can’t pay off.
When we first went to see each of you, not a single one of you trusted us.
But as you all know, we played a game,
and as we promised, gave you money when you won.
And suddenly, everyone here trusted us.
You called and volunteered to participate in this game of your own free will.
So this is it.
I’ll give you one last chance to choose.
Will you go back to living your old and depressing lives
getting chased by your creditors?
Or will you act and seize this last opportunity we’re offering here?
[all murmuring]
Hey! Which games are we playing here?
[masked manager] In order to play fair,
we cannot disclose any information about the games ahead of time.
[Gi-hun] One question.
If we win, just how much do we get?
[remote beeps]
[top door opening]
[quirky music]
[masked manager] Your prize money will be accumulated in there after every game.
We will disclose the amount to everyone after the first game is over.
If you do not wish to participate, then please let us know at this time.
[mysterious music]
[mysterious music continues]
PLAYER CONSENT FORM
CLAUSE 1: A PLAYER IS NOT ALLOWED TO STOP PLAYING
CLAUSE 2: A PLAYER WHO REFUSES TO PLAY WILL BE ELIMINATED
CLAUSE 3: GAMES MAY BE TERMINATED IF THE MAJORITY AGREES
So then, is that it or…
[pen scribbles]
[sighs]
SIGNATURE, SEONG GI-HUN
[“The Blue Danube” playing on speaker]
[woman on PA] Attention, all players. The first game is about to begin.
Please follow the staff’s instructions.
Please make your way towards the game hall.
[“The Blue Danube” continues playing]
[Player 324] Dude, look.
Wow, this place is gigantic.
[woman on PA] Please look into the camera. Smile.
[shutters click]
Please look into the camera.
Smile.
[shutter clicks]
Ah, shit.
Hey, move it.
Ah, shh!
[woman on PA] Please look into the camera.
Smile.
[shutter clicks]
[beeps]
[floor beeping]
[“The Blue Danube” playing]
[“The Blue Danube” continues playing]
[music stops]
[trilling]
[elevator beeps]
[automated voice] Identity verified.
[gates clanking]
[indistinct chatter]
[Gi-hun] Hey, Sang-woo!
Oh, Sang-woo, my man!
What happened? What the hell are you doing here?
Uh, your mother and I were talking the other day.
She told you were out of the country on a business trip.
What was that guy talking about, huh?
You can’t be in debt?
The same Sang-woo who attends SNU, right?
[woman on PA] Attention, all players.
After you enter the game hall…
We’ll talk about it later.
…please stand behind the white line drawn on the field
and await further instructions.
Once again, will all players please stand behind the white line
and await further instructions.
[dings]
[phone ringing]
[ringing continues]
This is the Front Man speaking.
Preparations for the first game are complete.
We can begin now.
[phone clatters]
[TV beeps]
[gates clanking]
[all muttering]
[birds twittering]
Hey.
Huh?
What’s that? Over there.
[Player 324] Looks really freaky.
[Player 250] Damn, that thing has a freaking huge head.
[both laugh]
[woman on PA] Here is the first game.
You will be playing Red Light, Green Light.
[doll whirring]
You are allowed to move forward when “it” shouts out, “Green Light,”
stop when “it” shouts, “Red Light.”
If your movement is detected afterward, you will be eliminated.
Red Light, Green Light?
The thing we did as kids in the playground?
[woman on PA] Let me repeat the rule.
I think that’s what she said.
[Player 250] Red Light, Green Light?
Is this a joke?
[woman on PA] You’re allowed to move…
Do you think they’re serious?
…when “it” shouts out, “Green Light.”
Well then, bet on the first one there?
Stop when “it” shouts, “Red Light.”
If your movement is detected afterward,
you will be eliminated.
A million won.
Deal?
[cackles] Goddamn it.
You’re on!
[woman on PA] Those players who cross the finish line
without being eliminated within the five-minute playtime
will pass this round.
With that, let the game begin.
[beeps, ticks]
[doll] Green Light.
Red Light.
[whirs]
Whoa.
[beeps, trills]
[panting]
[woman on PA] Player 324. Eliminated.
Dumbass got caught.
[gunshot]
That bang.
Did you hear that?
[beeps]
[whirs]
[doll] Green Light.
Red Light.
[whirs]
Hey, you got eliminated, idiot.
You can stop with the act.
[coughs]
[digital trilling]
[panting]
[gunshot]
[grunts]
[players exclaim]
[screams]
[all clamoring]
[gunshots]
[screams]
[players clamoring]
[grunts]
[clamoring continues]
[gunshots continue]
[players screaming]
[digital trilling]
[all shouting]
[floor beeping]
[gunshots]
[players screaming]
[gunshots continue]
[whirring]
[digital trilling]
[gunshot]
[grunts]
[woman on PA] I will now repeat the rules.
You are allowed to move forward when “it” shouts out, “Green Light”
stop when “it” shouts, “Red Light.”
If your movement is detected afterward, you will be eliminated.
[ominous music]
I will repeat the rules again.
You can move forward when “it” shouts out, “Green Light,”
stop when “it” shouts, “Red Light.”
If your movement is detected afterward, you will be eliminated.
[breathing heavily]
With that, let the game resume.
[whirs]
[doll] Green Light.
Red Light.
[whirs]
[digital trilling]
[trills]
[doll whirs]
Green Light.
Red Light.
[whirs]
Green Light.
Red Light.
[gunshots]
[shaky breathing]
[doll] Green Light.
Red Light.
[gunshot]
[man grunts]
[shaky breathing]
Gi-hun, don’t look back. Just listen.
[guns firing]
You can’t stay there much longer.
I think that doll senses when you move around.
[trills]
You won’t get caught if you’re behind somebody else.
[whirs]
[doll] Green Light.
Red Light.
[gunshot]
[man 1 yelps]
[gunshot]
[man 2 grunts]
[heavy breathing]
[whispers] That timer.
[gunshot]
[gun fires]
[whimpers]
[doll] Green Light.
Red Light.
[pants]
[gunshot]
[grunts]
[breathing heavily]
[doll] Green Light.
Red Light.
Green Light.
Red Light.
[gunshot]
[man yelps]
Who is that? I hear you.
[gunshot]
The bitch who crossed you.
You little shithead.
[gunshot]
[man grunts]
Want me to cross you one last time?
Let go of me.
Please.
Quit trembling, you jerk.
He’ll kill you if you get caught.
[doll] Green Light.
Red Light.
[gunshots]
[men grunt]
[guns firing]
[yelps]
[grunts]
[shaky breathing]
[doll] Green Light.
[grunts]
Red Light.
[whimpers] Help, please. I don’t wanna die.
[whispers] Let go. What are you doing?
Please, help.
Help me. [sobs]
[doll] Green Light.
Red Light.
[gunshot]
[pants]
[gun firing]
[doll whirs] Green Light.
Red Light.
[breathing shakily]
[gunshot]
[Yeong-uk grunts]
[beeps]
[“Fly Me to the Moon” playing]
♪ Fly me to the moon ♪
♪ And let me play among the stars ♪
[guns firing]
♪ Let me see what spring is like on ♪
[doll] Green Light. Red Light.
♪ Jupiter and Mars ♪
♪ In other words ♪
♪ Hold my hand ♪
♪ In other words, darling, kiss me ♪
♪ Fill my heart with song And let me sing forevermore ♪
♪ You are all I long for ♪
♪ All I worship and adore ♪
♪ In other words ♪
♪ Please be true ♪
♪ In other words ♪
♪ I love you ♪
[“Fly Me to the Moon” instrumental]
♪ Fly me to the moon ♪
♪ And let me play among the stars ♪
♪ Let me see what spring is like on ♪
♪ Jupiter and Mars ♪
♪ In other words, hold my hand ♪
♪ In other words, darling, kiss me ♪
♪ Fill my heart with song And let me sing forevermore ♪
♪ You are all I long for ♪
♪ All I worship and adore ♪
♪ In other words ♪
♪ Please be true ♪
♪ In other words ♪
[gasps]
[panting]
[whirs]
[gasps]
[shaky breath]
[grunts]
[shaky breath continues]
[whirs]
♪ I love you ♪
[beeping]
[“Fly Me to the Moon” ends]
[trills]
[gunshot]
[yelps]
[gunshots continue]
[gun firing]
[grunts]
[players exclaim]
[panting]
[sighs]
[rumbling]
[tense music]
[somber music]
[closing theme music]