While Squid Game is the biggest Netflix show ever, it has not escaped criticism. Many fans have pointed out that the small group of VIP characters that speak in English appear to be… well, sub-par in the acting department. Simply put, many people feel as if the actors portraying the VIPs are not as strong when compared to the show's Korean cast, and especially compared to English-speaking actors in Western movies and TV. But there's a reason why this is the case, and it's more complex than just blaming it on poor talent.
In an interview with The Guardian, Squid Game actor John D Michaels, who plays VIP one, explained why the English cast comes across comparatively poorly. “It’s different for every show, but non-Korean performers often act with dialogue that is translated by a non-native – sometimes even by Google Translate – so it can sound unnatural,” he said.
The problem with the English-speaking VIP scenes in Squid Game was further worsened by the fact that the actors had no context for their roles. They were just told that they were playing "total idiots" and "dirtbag millionaires", which made it difficult to assess how their characters should compose themselves. "We were all wearing very heavy plaster masks, and sitting on couches that were at least 20-30ft away from the closest VIP," Michaels added. "We all had to yell our lines vaguely into the air, which added to the weird tonality of the delivery.”
Michaels also notes that these issues can be complicated by the editing process, in which a Korean editor is working with an English scene, and thus many not be familiar with what take is best to use. This apparently happened with VIP four, played by Geoffrey Giuliano, who used the phrase "I'll cut anybody some slack" numerous times during shooting, but the editors used a mistaken shot where he accidentally said the incorrect "I'll give anybody some slack" instead.
In addition, Michaels also notes that its important to recognise that the acting in Squid Game is heightened, something Korean drama does in general. However, because many people among Western audiences don't speak Korean, it's impossible to hear that heightened delivery. “What might be cartoonish or broad about [the Korean characters] is lost in translation, whereas the VIPs had no such luxury," he said.
Despite these issues with the VIPs, Squid Game is already apparently worth $900 million to Netflix. That's a huge success, and one many Korean TV channels may be kicking themselves over as Squid Game was rejected for 10 years by domestic studios. A second season has yet to be greenlit, but it does seem inevitable. If season 2 does happen, it may not be about the Squid Game contestants.
Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer.