Squid Game has dominated Netflix for weeks and set a record as the 'biggest series' ever that launched on the streaming website. While the audience was already very engrossed in the series, it didn't come without flaws.
There were several issues in its translation and subtitle. Here's an easter egg that many might have missed due to how the dystopian drama was translated in its dubbed version.
How Did Ali's Treatment To Sang-woo Change In Squid Game?
Ali (Anupam Tripathi) is a Pakistani guest worker who his employer has manipulated. When he meets Sang-woo (Park Hae Soo), the troubled banker, he calls him "boss" despite Sang-woo's insistence that he calls him by name.
Ali's language shifts during the marble game. When the participants are told to pick a partner, Sang-woo chooses Ali over Gi-hun (Lee Jung Jae), saying they are more intelligent and more robust together. However, in a twist of fate, their supposed partner becomes their opponent in the game.
In the Gganbu episode, Ali's change in linguistic reveals that he has developed deep loyalty to Sang-woo. Initially, he is very formal, but it shifts to a less formal, polite type of speech using the verbs ending in "-yo."
Soojin Lee, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, explained that Ali's use of polite language shows that he is somewhat distant, probably because he doesn't want to be manipulated again.
"It really does denote a lot of trust, and you see that sense of intimacy there that's really not expressed in English," said Jennifer Jung-Kim, a lecturer at the University of California, Los Angeles, who specializes in Korean history, gender, popular culture, and food, per NBC News.
Ali also refers to Sang-woo as "Hyung," an honorific name for "older brother," which denotes a close, valued relationship. "Hyung" is expected to be a protector. The term also reflects loyalty between the speaker and the hyung.
"A hyung is always supposed to take care of the younger ones," Jung-Kim added. "When Ali switches to [using ‘hyung'], that kind of connotes a relationship that is very close. Hyung aren't supposed to betray their younger siblings."
Ali's innocence and the trust he put on Sang-woo, who betrayed, broke a lot of heart. Episode 6 was the most emotional episode for many. It also sealed Ali's fate as one, if not the most, beloved character in the series.
What Did Sang-woo Feel After He Betrayed Ali In Squid Game Episode 6?
Sang-woo is aware of Ali's trust because he didn't dismiss his usage of "hyung," which shows that he somewhat feels the same towards Ali. He also feels that they have a bond together.
When Sang-woo decided to betray Ali, he didn't turn to face his friend before being shot dead. When Ali realized he was betrayed, he called out to his Hyung, but Sang-woo didn't turn back.
"We see [Sang-woo] walking through the door with the guards, but he doesn't even turn around. He flinches when we hear the gunshot," Jung-Kim explained, referring to the moment Ali died. "He knows he's betrayed him. He knows he's been a bad older brother, a bad hyung."
There are a lot of complaints about the poor translation of Squid Game on Netflix. According to many, the streaming service has always had poor subtitles for its K-drama series.
Another netizen said that the audience missed a lot about Ha Mi-nyeo's (Kim Joo Ryeong) character because her dialogues were allegedly constantly botched, not aligned, and "f--ked up." If Mi-nyeo's dialogues were correctly translated, the audience would understand the depth and weight of the character in the series.
Kim Joo Ryeong didn't audition for her role in the Squid Game. Director Hwang Dong-Hyuk was impressed by her performance in SKY Castle and offered the "most dynamic" role to her. Unfortunately, the audience missed a lot of things about the character due to the poor translation of her dialogues.
Netflix hasn't renewed Squid Game for another season yet. We will keep you posted once Squid Game Season 2 gets the green light.
RELATED: Squid Game Subtitle Trick: How To Watch On Netflix With Better Translation?
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