There is no doubt that Squid Game has become a gateway for a plethora of new Korean content over the past few years. Thanks to the success of this smash hit, Netflix announced it would be investing $2.5 billion in Korean content over the next few years, which is almost double what it had done in 2016. This investment can already be seen to be paying off, with fitness competition show Physical:100 and revenge drama The Glory being the platform's runaway successes of 2023. Though outside of Netflix and other popular streaming platforms, there is a plethora of Korean content waiting to be explored. One that has garnered a lot of online buzz recently, with many outlets such as the BBC and NME likening it to the next Squid Game, is Pyramid Game.
With similar themes to the stand-out hit, it is hard not to make a comparison between the two shows. However, despite standing in Squid Game's shadow, Pyramid Game is firmly on its own two feet as a story that is as thrilling as it is captivating. With its international release coming later this year on Paramount+, here is why Pyramid Game is the next K-Drama you should be watching.
The Premise
Based on the webtoon of the same name, Pyramid Game follows transfer student Sung Su-ji (Kim Ji-yeon) and her classmates at Baekhyeon Girls' High School as they partake in the sinister Pyramid Game, where every month the students vote for their favourite classmates. Though seemingly innocent, those who have the highest number of votes earn unique privileges within their class, including the right to viciously bully those who did not gain a single vote.
Much like Squid Game, Pyramid Game highly revolves around survival. The students fight for the favour of their classmates, knowing that just one wrong move leaves them at their mercy. Relationships crumble just as quickly as they are formed, and these students prove just how far they are willing to go to get to the top of the pyramid (or to even crumble it). This unpredictable shifting dynamic between classmates keeps you on your toes, and always leaves you guessing as to whose plan will succeed, and just how far they will go to ensure it does.
The Characters
One of the best things about Pyramid Game is its characters. Like Squid Game, these characters are anything but black and white (unlike their chess themed surroundings) and their moral ambiguity (or in some cases, lack of ambiguity) really help to drive forward this otherwise wild tale. Each character is well crafted and provides their own significance to the story, even if their time on screen is often limited, and always makes you question where many of these characters true loyalties lie. Though, it is the leading characters of the calculated Su-ji and the formidable Baek Ha-rin (Jang Da-ah), who are the black and white chess pieces of this game, and soft-hearted Myeong Ja-eun (Ryu Da-in) that glue the story together and really give it the drive to succeed in the way it does.
The Cast
Following on from this, Pyramid Game would be nothing without its exceptional cast, many of which are relatively new faces in the acting world. The drama is helmed by idol turned actor Kim Ji-yeon, most notable for playing Olympic fencer Ko Yu-rim in the 2021 hit series Twenty-Five Twenty-One, and working under her stage name Bona as a part of girl group WJSN. As the show's protagonist she excels, never letting the audience know her true intentions. Opposite her is Jang Da-ah, who – alongside Single's Inferno star Shin Seul-ki – makes her acting debut in the series. It's hard to believe Pyramid Game marks Jang's debut as her performance as Ha-rin is chilling and gives the series the electric thrill it definitely needed. Shin, too, excels in her role as the reserved class president Seo Do-ah, even despite her limited screen time. Ryu Da-in, who has previously appeared in 18 Again and Crash Course in Romance, is the emotional tie that holds this story together, and does so with compassion and ease. Accompanied by the likes of Kang Na-eon, Jeong Ha-dam and Ha Yul-ri, this series is full of standout performances that continue to set you on edge and leave you wanting more from each episode.
The Message
Pyramid Game has a very clear message, and its importance is not understated. Su-ji's father (Choi Dae-chul), who is a soldier in the Korean Army, constantly makes reference to how school is a microcosm of society and the parallels between Pyramid Game and the real world, and the society outside of school are evidently clear. Just like in Pyramid Game, there will always be bullies who will relentlessly hound their victims for a plethora of unwarranted reasons, whether it be in the confines of a school, the military or beyond. However, for those that are witness to the bullies' crimes and choose to do nothing, what role do they play? As a bystander, do they also share some of the guilt despite never taking part in the act at all? These are questions that Pyramid Game tries to answer, and with South Korea's bullying claims at a 10 year high according to The Korea Times, the answers they provide are certainly food for thought.
Pyramid Game's concept is hardly the most original, with The Glory, Weak Hero Class 1 and Revenge of Others being only recent examples of K-Dramas to have covered school bullying and its impact. However, Pyramid Game is a drama you won't be able to set down until you are finished. Each episode is like an expertly played game of chess, where you can never truly feel settled until the game is over. This cast of new faces is incredibly refreshing, and help to guide you through each emotional twist and turn with ease.
If it was given the same international release as Squid Game, then perhaps Pyramid Game would already be as successful as its predecessor. The two shows certainly go hand in hand in terms of genre and theming, and within a format that could be deemed oversaturated, they both do well to tell unique and captivating stories that are certain to keep you guessing. So, if you are a fan of Squid Game or even The Glory, then Pyramid Game should absolutely be the next show on your list.
Pyramid Game is available on VIU and TVing in Korea and will be available on Paramount+ later this year.
