Squid Game's Brilliant Use of Classical Music

Netflix’s new hit show Squid Game has taken the world by storm, quickly becoming the service’s biggest and most watched show ever. Program creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk kept millions of viewers on the edge of their seats, by not only the brutal and violent visuals, but also the bleak reality the narrative represents. 

Narrative

This South Korean gory survival drama, follows a divorced and indebted father, who is invited to play a series or deadly children’s games for a large cash prize. The contest of 456 players, all in financial debt, risk their lives to win the cash sum of 45.6 billion won (~ 38 million dollars).

The Music

Known for his work on the Oscar-winning film, Parasite (2019), South Korean composer and music director Jung Jae-il, was in charge of not only composing the music for this horror drama, but also choosing other classical pieces that would best suit the show. As it is, the show’s original soundtrack is known for its bare texture and unsettling themes, resulting in the music feeling minimal but always present, almost ambient-like. It is written in with a purpose to expel certain emotions from the audience without much notice. The narrative and structure of storytelling in this show is done in a very intentional manner, which could same could be said for the classical music chosen for the show. 

In a survival drama where death feels eminent, the use of classical pieces feels paradoxical. We are often greeted with a light-hearted piece during a dark and serious, tense, or suspenseful moment in the show. It is one of those rare instances, where the visuals actively change the way you listen to or perceive the music, rather than the other way. 

Classical Pieces

One memorable piece that we are often re-introduced to, is Haydn’s famous "Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major", which becomes a chilling theme throughout the rest of the show. The reason for this, is because Jung Jae-il decided to use this bright and optimistic sounding trumpet piece as the morning call for the players in the show, regardless of the gruesome and horrifying events that have occurred or are expected to take place.

Another famous and very notable piece was Johann Strauss II’s "The Blue Danube". One of the many classical pieces everyone knows due to its constant use in visual media, but may not know the name of. The piece was often played when players were lined up or gathered to announce the rules of the next game. Their movements often imitating a waltz, which is what this piece is. Another light-hearted piece strategically used to signify imminent death. 

The last piece to mention is Tchaikovsky’s "Serenade for Strings", 2^nd movement waltz. This piece was used in scenes where players were forced to create teams or when comradery would take place. The gentle waltz evoked a sense of calm in short moments. The audience then felt a form of comfort with the piece until it was later used for a difficult scene during a special game, resulting in a more effective emotional and bitter scene for the audience.     

Analysis

The context and visuals of the scenes in this show are often contrasting the music of the show, using light or fanfare-like classical pieces to hide a bleak reality or enhance the significance of a scene. A great example on how cliché classical music, could find new life if used in a unique, extraordinary, or unconventional way.