Was Squid Game Based on a True Story? | 1986 Bunker Myth Debunked

The TikTok that started it all

There I was, deep in a doom-scroll rabbit hole on TikTok, when I landed on a video that sent a chill down my spine. A grainy voiceover said:

“Squid Game was inspired by a real-life event. In 1986, in a no-man’s-land bunker in South Korea, hostages were forced to play deadly games. The inhuman host was never found.”

Hold up. What? A real Squid Game? In an actual bunker? My inner detective was instantly on the case. Cue caffeine, open tabs, and frantic Googling. Could Squid Game really be based on a horrifying 1986 South Korean hostage crisis?

Time to dig in.

The viral theory: a bunker, hostages, and sinister games

This theory isn’t new—it’s been bouncing around Reddit, TikTok, and online forums for a while. Search “Squid Game real event 1986” and you’ll see pages of so-called evidence pointing to a shadowy tale of forced games, vanishing hosts, and a deadly underground experiment that supposedly inspired Hwang Dong-hyuk’s 2021 global hit.

Some even name-drop Brothers Home, a real 1980s welfare facility in South Korea, known for its shocking abuse scandals. From there, the dots start connecting—albeit messily. But here’s the thing:

No solid proof exists that a bunker gameshow of death actually occurred.

The fact-checkers step in

Thankfully, reputable sites like AFP Fact Check and Snopes swooped in to investigate. And, surprise—this viral theory falls apart faster than a Dalgona candy under pressure.

✔ No news reports exist from the time confirming any 1986 bunker-related hostage case
✔ No official records, survivor accounts, or credible investigations support this myth
✔ No missing “inhuman host” was ever reported, unless you count YouTubers with too much time on their hands

The supposed “event” is, in short, fiction dressed up as fact—a mashup of real-life horrors and clickbait-style myth-making.

So what’s the real story behind Squid Game?

While there’s no underground gladiator pit, there is a dark historical backdrop. Brothers Home did exist—and the horrors inside were brutal. Think: forced labour, military-style punishments, starvation, and human rights violations.

But as awful as that chapter is, it wasn’t a deadly game show. There were no rounds of tug-of-war or glass bridge jumps.

So where did the inspiration really come from?

Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator himself, cleared that up. His concept stemmed from:

• His personal experience with financial debt
• South Korea’s class divide and rising economic inequality
• Classic dystopian fiction like Battle Royale, Kaiji, and Liar Game

So, no secret bunkers. Just brutal reality, viewed through a satirical, surreal lens.

Myth vs Reality: A Squid Game Fact Check

Bunkers make great fiction—but lousy facts

Let’s be honest—there’s something thrilling about a hidden underground lair full of twisted challenges. But in real life? The truth is often less cinematic and far more unsettling.

The true villain in Squid Game isn’t a mask-wearing mastermind—it’s a broken system. The lack of social mobility. The crushing weight of debt. The desperation that forces people to risk everything for a second chance.

That’s the horror Hwang wanted us to feel. And it worked.

Why people believe these theories

So why do we want to believe there was a real-life Squid Game?

Because it’s juicier. It’s viral gold. And frankly, real life sometimes feels so dark, we expect the stories to be even darker. But here’s a reminder: just because something’s trending doesn’t make it true.

If you’ve ever whispered “this can’t be real” while watching a TikTok, take a breath, do a little research, and remember—creepy doesn’t always mean credible.

So, what did I learn?

If you’re wondering “Did Squid Game come from a real bunker hostage case?”, the answer is:
Nope. But the truth is just as haunting—if not more.

From economic despair to survival instincts, Squid Game hits home not because it’s real, but because it feels real. It reflects a world where inequality is the true villain.

And if you ever get lured in by another internet conspiracy (looking at you, Avril Lavigne clone theory), take it from me—fact check first, share second.

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What’s your take?

Have you ever fallen down the conspiracy rabbit hole? Do you think Squid Game’s message would’ve hit harder if it were based on real events? Drop your thoughts below—I’ll be the one with five tabs open and a Dalgona cookie in hand.