Why gory Korean drama Squid Game is No. 1 on Netflix

Slate

The battle royale drama "is different from its genre cousins in one major way, and it’s the one that gives the show its emotional punch," says Rebecca Onion. "The players must decide that they want to be part of the game. After the opening massacre, the group takes advantage of a clause in the contract they signed, and votes, by simple majority, to end the game and go home, without anyone getting the money. They are home for a short while, before they all end up back in the van, submitting to the sleeping gas, on the way back to try for the prize."