Since its release on December 26, Netflix’s original series “Squid Game 2” has garnered significant global attention. Among the highlights is the Korean children’s song “Round and Round”.
The song plays during a pairing game called “Mingle”, where players must form groups corresponding to the number called out to escape from a giant circular platform. The rotating platform, reminiscent of a carousel, spins slowly as the song “Round and Round” plays in the background.
While the song is a cherished childhood memory for most Koreans, its usage in “Squid Game 2” transforms it into a hauntingly eerie melody. The lighthearted tune contrasts starkly with the deadly stakes, as those who fail the game meet a grim fate.
International viewers have expressed fascination with the song, calling it “highly addictive and slightly unsettling“. Some have even incorporated it into their daily lives, recreating the “Round and Round” dance in groups. A German DJ showcased their admiration by uploading a remix of the song on their YouTube channel, further amplifying its global reach.
“Round and Round” was composed and written by the late Lee Soo-in, a prominent Korean composer who passed away in August 2021. The song has had notable appearances in K-pop as well. BIGBANG’s Taeyang named his 2013 hit “Ringa Linga” after the song’s chorus. Notably, former BIGBANG member Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P), who appears in “Squid Game 2”, incorporated a “Ringa Linga” dance into his performance, drawing significant attention. Similarly, Sunny Hill’s “The Grasshopper Song” sampled the melody of “Round and Round” in its lyrics.
Following the global spotlight on Korea’s traditional game “Red Light, Green Light” in Season 1, Season 2 has sparked a reevaluation of Korean children’s songs as cultural treasures.
With the continued production and globalization of diverse K-content, traditional Korean games and folk songs are proving to be effective cultural bridges to the world.
Currently, “Squid Game 2” has amassed about 500 million viewing hours worldwide, making it Netflix’s most-watched content during its opening week.
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