The backstory of protagonist Seong Gi-hun, a car factory worker who was laid off and later went on strike, was also inspired by a real-life event: a 2009 strike at the SsangYong Motor factory, where workers clashed with riot police over widespread layoffs. It's remembered today as one of the country's largest labour confrontations.

The Squid Game creator has said the show’s overall story is based on his own economic struggles, as well as the class disparity in South Korea and capitalism. There, work/life balance is reportedly at an all time low, with people being stressed, overworked and underpaid. According to The BBC, women there are too stressed to have children.