Without a doubt, Squid Game is one of Netflix's largest shows that put it on the map. While there is already plenty of information that talks about the contestants, let's talk about the workers behind the competition. More importantly, what do the shapes of their masks in Squid Game mean?
And we get it, the role of the masks is to hide their identities. After all, they are killing the contestants who fail to complete the game successfully. But beyond that, the workers are required to wear a mask at all times and keep their identities a secret, even from their colleagues. But why though?
Why Do the Workers Need to Wear a Mask At All Times?
Let's start with the obvious question: why can't they remove their masks? Mainly put, the goal of the masks is to keep the identity of the workers anonymous at all times. Because of this, it adds an air of mystery and danger to the games.
The Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun) tells his workers "once they [the contestants] know who you are, you lose everything."
As a result, the workers have to keep wearing their masks and uniforms at all times. The only time they are permitted to remove their masks is when they are in their individual bedrooms, which makes it impossible to build a relationship with their other colleagues.
What Do the Shapes on the Masks of the Workers Mean?
The organization is run by a group of elite individuals. They employ workers, who are not paid that much money since they try to get extra cash by breaking a few rules.
Since they are not permitted to show their faces to anyone, the only way to identify them is through the masks they wear. These masks bear a shape in the middle, which covers their entire face. The workers also wear a hot pink hoodie that covers them from head to toe.
So what do these shapes on the masks mean? These shapes resemble video game controllers: a plain white circle, square, and triangle against a full black mask that covers the face.
The ranking of the workers is based on the shape printed on their mask, which follow this hierarchy:
Circle Masks
The workers with a circle on their mask are considered as the lowest-ranked employees. They complete basic tasks on the island, such as serving food, mopping up blood, cleaning, removing the corpses, and incinerating these bodies.
These employees do not get to speak unless a superior talks to them first.
Triangle Masks
The next category goes to the workers with a triangle shape on their masks. They are responsible for enforcing the rules of each game, eliminating the players, leading players to the next area, and crowd control.
Although they are able to enforce rules, they do not have the authority to make rules in order to change a situation.
Square Masks
These are the workers who have the highest ranking among the workers. They are also considered above the contestants but are still workers in charge of giving orders to those below them.
They are also able to communicate with the Front Man directly.
Now that you know the meaning behind these shapes, you'll be better prepared for Squid Game 2 when it comes out.
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