Learn Korean with Squid Game

Yes, Squid Game is a B2-level pick for Korean learners. The global phenomenon is endlessly motivating to watch, and its life-or-death stakes mean key phrases are repeated with intensity. The Korean is fast and colloquial, so it suits upper-intermediate learners or graded subtitles.

Key takeaways

  • Squid Game is a B2-level pick for Korean, best suited to upper-intermediate learners.
  • The most motivating watch, with intense repeated phrases, for upper-intermediate ears.
  • It runs 3 seasons, 22 episodes, so its vocabulary recurs enough that finishing it builds real Korean listening.
  • Against the 18 other Korean titles in our difficulty index, it is easier than 4 of them.
  • Expect everyday Korean such as 게임 and 돈.
  • Watch it with Korean subtitles rather than your own language, which the research links to the biggest listening gain.
Difficulty
B2 (challenging)
Best for
upper-intermediate learners
Format
TV series
Length
3 seasons, 22 episodes
Genre
thriller, drama
Platform
Netflix
Relative difficulty
Easier than 4 of 18 other Korean titles we rate
In our index
1 of 19 Korean titles

How we rate difficulty

Wondering how long the whole language takes? How long it takes to learn Korean.

Korean words you'll hear in Squid Game

게임
game (geim)
money (don)
친구
friend (chingu)
살려줘
save me, help me (sallyeojwo)

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Frequently asked questions

What Korean level do you need for Squid Game?
Around B2 to follow unaided, because the speech is fast and colloquial. Beginners can still use it with graded subtitles that swap only a few words at a time.