MA-0032 · first seen 17 September 2021
Squid Game
A Korean survival drama that turned a children’s playground game into a worldwide meme and costume.
- Status
- FallingPast its peak, within the last five years
- Trend score
- 35/100Estimated
- Change, 90 days
- −2%Estimated
- Peak
- 94Oct 2021
- Years active
- 6Index of 30 or more
- First seen
- 202117 September 2021
Popularity over time
Monthly attention from Aug 2021 to Oct 2026. Hover or tab through the chart for each month.
- First appearance
- Went viral
- Peak
- Decline
Attention index, 0 to 100 on one scale for the whole archive. Estimated from each meme’s key dates, not measured.
About
The Netflix series Squid Game was released on 17 September 2021. Its premise, indebted people competing in deadly versions of children’s games, produced instantly recognisable images: the giant doll of “Red Light, Green Light”, the green tracksuits, the pink-clad guards and the dalgona candy challenge.
Within weeks it was the most-discussed show in the world. Memes ranged from the game’s rules to the cost of the contestants’ fictional prize, and by Halloween its costumes were everywhere. Later seasons followed in December 2024 and June 2025, each bringing a smaller wave.
Origin
Released on Netflix on 17 September 2021.
17 September 2021
Viralization
Spread on TikTok, YouTube and Twitter through the first weeks of release.
September 2021
Peak
October 2021, around Halloween and the dalgona candy challenge.
Oct 2021
Timeline
From the first post to where it stands today.
Origin
A series launches
Netflix releases the nine-episode series.
Early adoption
The giant doll
Clips of “Red Light, Green Light” start circulating on TikTok.
Viral
A global conversation
The show becomes the most-discussed series in the world.
Peak
Halloween
The tracksuits and masks become a Halloween standard.
Decline
Wearing off
The meme fades, though the show remains a popular reference.
Current
New seasons
Seasons two and three bring smaller waves of memes in December 2024 and June 2025.
Related memes
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