“There is no order in which God calls us”

Abstract

The highly successful and also somewhat controversial Netflix series Squid Game takes a very critical stance on the – supposed – intimate relationship between specific layers of South Korean Christian traditions and capitalism, especially regarding what is known as the “prosperity gospel”. The series features some explicitly Christian characters who do not act according to what they preach, that is, they behave egoistically instead of altruistically. The series even seems to suggest that “true” Christian compassion and self-sacrifice are to be found outside the boundaries of institutionalized Christianity rather than among nominal Christians. This article explains in more detail this twofold criticism that the series provides regarding (South Korean) Christianity by carefully examining key scenes and figures.

Keywords

• squid game
• netflix
• prosperity gospel
• capitalism
• criticism of religion