This lesson is based on the 1st season
lesson plan, B1
Squid game #1
warm up
You have 100 points to build your ideal game player. Spend them wisely across different abilities. When you're done, introduce your character and explain your strategy for survival
You are about to enter the Squid Game. But this time – you get to choose your skills!
Physical Strength 💪 25 points. Great for games like Tug of War or Red Light, Green Light
Intelligence 🧠 25 points. Helps you solve problems and outsmart others
Persuasion 🗣️ 15 points. Convince other players to trust you or team up
Luck 🍀 10 points. Sometimes, things just go your way
Agility 🏃 20 points. Helps you move quickly and quietly
Bluffing 🎭 15 points. You're good at hiding your true intentions
Observation 👀 10 points. You notice small details others miss
Bravery 🦁 10 points. You don’t freeze under pressure
Memory 🧩 10 points. Perfect for remembering game patterns or rules
Intelligence 🧠 25 points. Helps you solve problems and outsmart others
Persuasion 🗣️ 15 points. Convince other players to trust you or team up
Luck 🍀 10 points. Sometimes, things just go your way
Agility 🏃 20 points. Helps you move quickly and quietly
Bluffing 🎭 15 points. You're good at hiding your true intentions
Observation 👀 10 points. You notice small details others miss
Bravery 🦁 10 points. You don’t freeze under pressure
Memory 🧩 10 points. Perfect for remembering game patterns or rules
let's speak!
Can you remember all these characters from the first season on Squid Games?
i-yeong, also known as Player 240
Ali Abdul, also known as Player 199
Kang Sae-byeok, also known as Player 067
Cho Sang-woo, also known as Player 218
Seong Gi-hun, also known as Player 456
Jang Deok-su, also known as Player 101
Han Mi-nyeo, also known as Player 212
Oh Il-nam, also known as Player 001
Hwang Jun-ho, a former police detective
Choose a Character Who…
Say, "I guess we’ll starve tonight" (sarcastically)
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
5. Your partner was supposed to buy groceries but came home empty-handed. Do you…
🟢 could have won the games if things had gone differently
🔺 was the smartest player - and why?
⬜️ made the biggest mistake
🟢 was truly kind, even in a cruel situation
🔺 was pure evil - or close to it
⬜️ you want as your teammate - and why?
🟢 had the hardest life before joining the game
🔺 made the most sacrifices for others
⬜️ you wish had survived
🔺 was the smartest player - and why?
⬜️ made the biggest mistake
🟢 was truly kind, even in a cruel situation
🔺 was pure evil - or close to it
⬜️ you want as your teammate - and why?
🟢 had the hardest life before joining the game
🔺 made the most sacrifices for others
⬜️ you wish had survived
And what about the games?
Сan you remember them all?
Say, "I guess we’ll starve tonight" (sarcastically)
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
5. Your partner was supposed to buy groceries but came home empty-handed. Do you…
Let's discuss!
let's watch!
We’ve all seen the shocking scenes in Squid Games, but where did the idea really come from? The brutal choices and economic struggles in the show are inspired by real-life issues faced by ordinary people in South Korea.
Watch this short documentary video to learn more about the reality behind the fiction
Watch this short documentary video to learn more about the reality behind the fiction
Cultural Context of Squid Game
Watch the first part of the video (0:00 - 1:40)
Fill in the gaps
Say, "I guess we’ll starve tonight" (sarcastically)
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
5. Your partner was supposed to buy groceries but came home empty-handed. Do you…
education loan | mortgages | annual disposable income | indebted | personal finance | retirees | live beyond their needs | financial burden
Say, "I guess we’ll starve tonight" (sarcastically)
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
5. Your partner was supposed to buy groceries but came home empty-handed. Do you…
Why does it feel like everyone in South Korea is drowning in debt? From students and office workers to entire families and ___________________, the numbers are staggering. Almost every single person in South Korea is drowning in debt. This isn't just ___________________ gone wrong—it's a structural crisis. In this video, we're diving deep into South Korea's household debt problem, exploring whether people are ___________________, or if the system is setting them up to fail.
As of 2025, household debt in South Korea has surged to a staggering $1.34 trillion—over 105% of the nation’s GDP. This level of indebtedness places South Korea among the most heavily ___________________ countries globally. With debt standing at 105% of GDP in 2022, Korea ranked highest among major economies. What’s particularly concerning is the widespread nature of this debt, affecting nearly every household. The average family owes nearly twice its ___________________, creating deep anxieties about economic stability and the potential for long-term financial distress among millions of South Koreans. This situation isn't isolated—it affects almost everyone.
___________________, ___________________, credit cards, microlending, even small business debt and cosmetic financing all aggregate into a vast ___________________.
As of 2025, household debt in South Korea has surged to a staggering $1.34 trillion—over 105% of the nation’s GDP. This level of indebtedness places South Korea among the most heavily ___________________ countries globally. With debt standing at 105% of GDP in 2022, Korea ranked highest among major economies. What’s particularly concerning is the widespread nature of this debt, affecting nearly every household. The average family owes nearly twice its ___________________, creating deep anxieties about economic stability and the potential for long-term financial distress among millions of South Koreans. This situation isn't isolated—it affects almost everyone.
___________________, ___________________, credit cards, microlending, even small business debt and cosmetic financing all aggregate into a vast ___________________.
Why does it feel like everyone in South Korea is drowning in debt? From students and office workers to entire families and retirees, the numbers are staggering. Almost every single person in South Korea is drowning in debt. This isn't just personal finance gone wrong—it's a structural crisis. In this video, we're diving deep into South Korea's household debt problem, exploring whether people are living beyond their means, or if the system is setting them up to fail.
As of 2025, household debt in South Korea has surged to a staggering $1.34 trillion—over 105% of the nation’s GDP. This level of indebtedness places South Korea among the most heavily indebted countries globally. With debt standing at 105% of GDP in 2022, Korea ranked highest among major economies. What’s particularly concerning is the widespread nature of this debt, affecting nearly every household. The average family owes nearly twice its annual disposable income, creating deep anxieties about economic stability and the potential for long-term financial distress among millions of South Koreans. This situation isn't isolated—it affects almost everyone.
Mortgages, education loans, credit cards, microlending, even small business debt and cosmetic financing all aggregate into a vast financial burden.
As of 2025, household debt in South Korea has surged to a staggering $1.34 trillion—over 105% of the nation’s GDP. This level of indebtedness places South Korea among the most heavily indebted countries globally. With debt standing at 105% of GDP in 2022, Korea ranked highest among major economies. What’s particularly concerning is the widespread nature of this debt, affecting nearly every household. The average family owes nearly twice its annual disposable income, creating deep anxieties about economic stability and the potential for long-term financial distress among millions of South Koreans. This situation isn't isolated—it affects almost everyone.
Mortgages, education loans, credit cards, microlending, even small business debt and cosmetic financing all aggregate into a vast financial burden.
Can you find the correct definitions for these words?
Say, "I guess we’ll starve tonight" (sarcastically)
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
5. Your partner was supposed to buy groceries but came home empty-handed. Do you…
Fill in the gaps using new vocabulary
Say, "I guess we’ll starve tonight" (sarcastically)
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
5. Your partner was supposed to buy groceries but came home empty-handed. Do you…
education loan | mortgages | annual disposable income | indebted | personal finance | retirees | live beyond their needs | financial burden
Say, "I guess we’ll starve tonight" (sarcastically)
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
5. Your partner was supposed to buy groceries but came home empty-handed. Do you…
1. It's important to understand basic ___________________ so that you can manage your money wisely.
2. Taking out large ___________________ to buy a home is common, but it can lead to long-term stress.
3. The pressure to succeed forces many people to take out an ___________________ just to attend a good university.
4. In Korea, even ___________________ are still working part-time jobs because their pensions are not enough.
5. Some families ___________________, using credit to afford luxury lifestyles they can’t truly sustain.
6.After paying for rent, food, and transportation, the average person’s ___________________ is very low.
7. Supporting both children and elderly parents at the same time can be a major ___________________ for middle-aged adults.
8.Many young Koreans are already deeply ___________________ by the time they finish university due to student loans.
2. Taking out large ___________________ to buy a home is common, but it can lead to long-term stress.
3. The pressure to succeed forces many people to take out an ___________________ just to attend a good university.
4. In Korea, even ___________________ are still working part-time jobs because their pensions are not enough.
5. Some families ___________________, using credit to afford luxury lifestyles they can’t truly sustain.
6.After paying for rent, food, and transportation, the average person’s ___________________ is very low.
7. Supporting both children and elderly parents at the same time can be a major ___________________ for middle-aged adults.
8.Many young Koreans are already deeply ___________________ by the time they finish university due to student loans.
1. It's important to understand basic personal finance so that you can manage your money wisely.
2. Taking out large mortgages to buy a home is common, but it can lead to long-term stress.
3. The pressure to succeed forces many people to take out an education loan just to attend a good university.
4. In Korea, even retirees are still working part-time jobs because their pensions are not enough.
5. Some families live beyond their needs, using credit to afford luxury lifestyles they can’t truly sustain.
6.After paying for rent, food, and transportation, the average person’s annual disposable income is very low.
7. Supporting both children and elderly parents at the same time can be a major financial burden for middle-aged adults.
8.Many young Koreans are already deeply indebted by the time they finish university due to student loans.
2. Taking out large mortgages to buy a home is common, but it can lead to long-term stress.
3. The pressure to succeed forces many people to take out an education loan just to attend a good university.
4. In Korea, even retirees are still working part-time jobs because their pensions are not enough.
5. Some families live beyond their needs, using credit to afford luxury lifestyles they can’t truly sustain.
6.After paying for rent, food, and transportation, the average person’s annual disposable income is very low.
7. Supporting both children and elderly parents at the same time can be a major financial burden for middle-aged adults.
8.Many young Koreans are already deeply indebted by the time they finish university due to student loans.
Watch the video till the end
Answer the following questions
Say, "I guess we’ll starve tonight" (sarcastically)
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
5. Your partner was supposed to buy groceries but came home empty-handed. Do you…
Which groups did the video highlight as being most affected by debt in South Korea?
What was identified as the primary cause for worsening debt across demographics?
According to the video, how does the competition-based education system contribute to debt?
The "illusion of choice" is shown in the video when people:
What ironic contrast does the video present between the wealthy and average debtors?
What does the video suggest as a potential solution to systemic debt issues?
You'll be better next time!
You'll be better next time!
Not bad!
You are quite good!
Almost perfect. Keep it up!
Congratulations! You are awesome!
Let's discuss!
Reading: Season 1 ending
Many viewers were disappointed or confused by the ending of Squid Game Season 1. The final scenes raised questions about Gi-hun’s decisions and whether the story had a satisfying conclusion.
Here’s a popular post from Reddit. Did you have similar feelings?
Here’s a popular post from Reddit. Did you have similar feelings?
Like millions that streamed this show, I was confused and pretty frustrated with the ending. Some of my thoughts were: "WHY the FUCK are you ditching your daughter to fight people with WAYYYY more money and power than you? It makes no sense, this is a futile fight, you (and us as the audience) went through all this just for you to go back when you're finally safe (physically and financially)?? Why can't you finally be a good father after everything you put your daughter through? Why can't you just have a happy ending that's LITERALLY steps in front of you?"
Let's discuss!
Why do you think Gi-hun decided not to get on the plane to see his daughter? Was it a brave decision or a selfish one?
If you were in Gi-hun’s place, what would you have done at the end – board the plane or stay and fight the system?
Why do you think Gi-hun dyed his hair red at the end? Could it be symbolic?
Would you agree with this interpretation from a Reddit user?
Say, "I guess we’ll starve tonight" (sarcastically)
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
Tell them, "This is the third time this week — what happened?"
Talk about solutions like a shared shopping list
5. Your partner was supposed to buy groceries but came home empty-handed. Do you…
In an interview, the director stated that when writing Squid Games he didn't intend for a season 2. He implied that Gi Hun turning back from the airplane was more symbolic rather than a concrete foreshadowing of some revenge mission. It represented that Gi Hun refuses to accept the harsh realities of capitalism now that he has the privilege to ignore them. So I think it is more of a symbolic gesture towards the audience rather than an actual plot point of him getting off the plane and not seeing his daughter. At least that's what I think the director meant.
But I think the original meaning of Season 1, if we were to go off of the director, is not a literal revenge plot but rather a message to the audience not to turn a blind eye to the inequalities of capitalism. To examine the system that forces the lowest economic rung of society to fight desperately over crumbs of the rich. That the rich constantly exploit the poor for money and entertainment. That being poor is dehumanizing. Gi Hun turning to the audience and (I believe) for the first time looking at the camera directly, is meant to communicate with us this message: not to to passively drift in this flow set by the system, to turn around and fight against the current.
But I think the original meaning of Season 1, if we were to go off of the director, is not a literal revenge plot but rather a message to the audience not to turn a blind eye to the inequalities of capitalism. To examine the system that forces the lowest economic rung of society to fight desperately over crumbs of the rich. That the rich constantly exploit the poor for money and entertainment. That being poor is dehumanizing. Gi Hun turning to the audience and (I believe) for the first time looking at the camera directly, is meant to communicate with us this message: not to to passively drift in this flow set by the system, to turn around and fight against the current.
What best summarizes the main idea of the text?
What best summarizes the main idea of the text?
You'll be better next time!
You'll be better next time!
Not bad!
You are quite good!
Almost perfect. Keep it up!
Congratulations! You are awesome!
Writing
That line hits hard. It’s emotional, powerful – and definitely not random.
What do you think Gi-hun meant by this? What message is he trying to send – to the rich, to the world, maybe even to us?
What do you think Gi-hun meant by this? What message is he trying to send – to the rich, to the world, maybe even to us?
At the end of Squid Game Season 1, Gi-hun says:
"We are not horses. We are humans."
"We are not horses. We are humans."