The long-awaited second season (try 3 years long awaited) of Squid Game has finally hit Netflix, and it has us all abuzz about the dark and twisted Korean TV show all over again. I remember when Squid Game was the talk of the town for the first time. Everyone was floored by its nonchalant violence, its apocalyptic yet familiar premise, and all the memorable mini-games the contestants played. Everyone and their mother was imagining what it would be like to have to etch out a pattern in a Dalgona cookie with a toothpick, and your life on the line. 

It was like the gameshow Minute to Win It, but if there were grave consequences. No wonder the culture was so compelled by it, so much so that the iconography from the show now litters the internet and real life. Have you ever been to a tourist shop lately? There is (often inexplicably) Squid Game merch everywhere.