What country is Squid Game banned in?

As a passionate gamer and content creator, I was intrigued to learn that the infamously restrictive North Korean government completely banned Squid Game in the country. According to Radio Free Asia, they publicly declared the show an "indictment of South Korea‘s capitalist system" and have made watching or distributing Squid Game punishable by death.

Reports indicate that despite the ban, some North Koreans are secretly obtaining copied versions of Squid Game smuggled over the border from China. However, getting caught with contraband media now risks execution by firing squad under new "anti-reactionary thought" laws.

This extreme censorship highlights the ironic contrast between the poverty-stricken contestants in Squid Game and the average North Korean citizen struggling to even legally watch the series for entertainment.

China similarly restricts foreign films and shows, including global phenomenon Squid Game. As an avid gamer, I rely on media imports to enjoy titles unavailable domestically. Unfortunately, within authoritarian China, there are no legal streaming options for the smash hit Korean production.

According to Netflix, Squid Game is their #1 show in the world…except in China. Chinese consumers resort to illegal peer-to-peer distribution to access forbidden content like Squid Game. But periodic government crackdowns threaten even black market piracy networks. This censorship handicaps Chinese gaming culture in my opinion.

In democracies like the United States and United Kingdom, the series itself remains accessible for mature viewers as intended. However, some schools have issued preemptive bans specifically targeting young children wearing "Squid Game" costumes or discussing the show‘s violent plot.

As an older teen gamer myself when the show premiered, I immediately binged the series with no restrictions. But I understand limiting graphic content for minors, similar to age rating video game titles like Call of Duty. Parents and guardians retaining discretion over media consumption for young audiences seems reasonable to me.

Age Ratings Globally

In summary, authoritarian states like China and North Korea have instituted total bans on Squid Game for political reasons beyond just youth age restrictions. However, even in countries without legal prohibition, the show‘s extreme violence makes parental guidance necessary for early teen viewers in my opinion as a gaming expert.