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5The Real Story Behind Squid Game: The Brothers Home Scandal
Is Squid Game really just a work of fiction? Or could this horrifying contest be inspired by a real-life story?
In the 1980s, a facility called Brothers Home was established in the city of Busan, South Korea. Advertised as a rehabilitation center, the reality of what occurred within its walls was far more sinister. Thousands suffered abuse, and many lost their lives in this scandal, which remained hidden for years. The tragedy of Brothers Home reflects themes eerily similar to those found in Squid Game.
Far from being a sanctuary, Brothers Home preyed on society's most vulnerable individuals. Homeless people, individuals with disabilities, and those living on the streets were forcibly taken to this institution, where they were subjected to unpaid labor in factories and construction projects. They worked long hours under brutal conditions without any compensation. Attempts to escape were met with violent punishment—often resulting in death or severe beatings.
Poor nutrition, unsanitary conditions, and untreated illnesses caused hundreds of deaths within the center. The truth about Brothers Home came to light in 1987 thanks to the efforts of an investigative journalist. However, the officials responsible for this human rights atrocity received minimal punishment. The scandal was quickly swept under the rug, and the horrors endured by the victims were largely forgotten.
The tragedy of Brothers Home may have served as a chilling inspiration for Squid Game. The show’s depiction of individuals forced into life-or-death scenarios in exchange for survival shares haunting parallels with the inhuman conditions endured by those trapped in Brothers Home.
While Squid Game presents a fictional survival game, the underlying themes of exploitation, dehumanization, and desperation may reflect the harsh realities of Brothers Home. It serves as a reminder that the pain and suffering portrayed on-screen were all too real for those who lived through this historical nightmare.
Though the events at Brothers Home may have been buried by time, the truth remains unchanged.