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Read the following text, and answer questions 1-9 below:
[1] The creator, director and producer of Squid Game, Hwang Dong-hyuk, shared details on the show’s highly anticipated return on December 26. The hit Netflix series captivated global audiences in its first season, exploring humanity’s darker side. Season two, Hwang said, will go even deeper into the harsh realities of today’s world.
[2] When asked about the show’s popularity, Hwang responded that it was because the world had become as harsh as the one depicted in Squid Game. “I felt that’s why people could relate to it so much. Three years have passed since, and I don’t think the world has improved,” he said.
[3] Poverty and inequality are still prevalent, and there are conflicts and wars both within and between nations. Hwang wanted to create a story that re-examines whether we can change our worsening world. “Are we capable? Are we beings who can accomplish such a feat? I wanted to have a serious discussion about whether there is hope for us,” he said.
[4] Released in 2021, Squid Game revolves around a secret competition where 456 players – all in deep financial trouble – risk their lives playing a series of deadly children’s games for the chance to win the 45.6 billion won (US$33 million) prize. The second season is slated for a December 26 release and picks up where the first left off. The previous winner, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), decides not to board a flight to the United States and instead returns to the game.
[5] Hwang said the new season’s most substantial change lies in Seong’s character. A naive participant in the first season, he returns with a clear objective: seeking revenge and ending the games. “Season two will introduce fresh characters and games while expanding on the theme of division,” Hwang said. “The survival vote will be central to the plot, symbolising growing polarisation and conflict in the world.” According to Hwang, the series as a whole questions whether humanity, ethics and morality can genuinely survive in such a highly competitive world. The second season will delve further into these themes, presenting more challenges to human ethics.
[6] Hwang said there will be more games that involve characters helping each other, leading to dramatic moments. One of the biggest challenges was keeping the show’s secrets – from new games to characters’ fates – under wraps. Especially given the large cast and anticipation of plot twists, any information revealed would be considered a spoiler. To prevent leaks, actors who played eliminated characters did not know the fates of other characters beyond their own scenes. “They didn’t know where or how anyone else would die, so despite filming together, only a few actors knew the entire script,” Kim Ji-yeon, the show’s executive producer and chief executive of Firstman Studio, shared.
Source: The Korea Times, November 13
Questions
1. The phrase “exploring humanity’s darker side” suggests the show …
A. exposes the difficulties faced by the privileged.
B. focuses on taboo and controversial topics.
C. explores the negative aspects of human nature.
D. all of the above
2. In paragraph 2, how does Hwang view the world’s current state compared to when Squid Game was first released?
3. Based on your understanding of paragraph 3, what does Hwang Dong-hyuk hope to achieve with his work?
4. What does the word “deadly” suggest about the games mentioned in paragraph 4?
5. According to paragraph 4, the participants in Squid Game are probably …
A. poverty-stricken individuals.
B. middle-class professionals.
C. celebrity entertainers.
D. from well-to-do families.
6. Why does Seong return to the game, according to paragraph 5?
7. In paragraph 5, what does the survival vote in the second season represent?
8. Find a phrase in paragraph 6 that means “to keep something a secret”.
9. Who is the target audience for this article?
A. economic researchers
B. fans of Korean television
C. television drama producers
D. human rights activists
Answers
1. C
2. The world is harsh and has not improved since Squid Game season one was first released.
3. Hwang wants his audience to consider the state of the world and whether we are capable of changing it for the better.
4. that participants could get killed playing the game (accept all similar answers)
5. A
6. to seek revenge and end the games for good
7. The survival vote symbolises our world’s growing polarisation and conflict.
8. under wraps
9. B
