Squid Game, Season 2

I admit that I did enjoy season 1, but had decided there was too much gratuitous violence to bother with the second season.  What changed my mind was a Globe & Mail review that assured there would be more social relevance.  From a news item from Rebecca Sun states "the games are cruel, but the world is crueler".  Also season 2 is very viiolent.

For the first series see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/10/squid-game.html

There are differences.  A brother of the survivor is now a policeman who had taken himself off crime division and took on traffic now wants to stop a second set of games.  The survivor volunteers again, but with his knowledge attempts to mitigate the killings and perhaps stop the game.

The police officer on his own time arranges for his brother to have a tooth replaced with a GPS tracker, but the organizers are able to render it ineffective.. 

In the second round we see how the participants are recruited.  Organizers are sent out to look for desperate people who are generally marginal.  Some people who are homeless are offered bread or a lottery ticket.  Most of them choose the lottery ticket.  In the end over 400 desperate people, many heavily in debt are recruited.  Also we are shown also that the soldiers are recruited.

The games themselves have important differences.  After each game the survivors get to vote and if the majority want to stop playing then they all get to divide the pot.  Even though after the first game it is amount greater than their individual debts the majority votes to go after their increasing.  The organizers label the vote into x and o teams thereby dividing them into greedy hopefuls and cautious fearfuls.    Human nature being what it is, the most desperate vote to continue.  This of course sets up rival strategies with one tribe wanting to increase the pot at the expense of those who wanted to take the safe route.

There are many individual stories to explain the desperate situations that induced many volunteers.  Fraud and exploitation were common factors.  

Organs are harvested (for sale).   Apparently some parts are only usable if a person is still alive, but one overzealous soldier prefers to shoot again.  In the first series it seemed that one very wealthy man felt his life was too boring and he set up the games as entertainment.

The ending is ambiguous and plans are already in motion for a third season.

To generate such massive global interest requires a lot of talent.  Here are some of the talented people. 

The key person who created and developed the idea is Hwang Dong-hyuk who wrote the script and directed it.  After Korean graduation he wrote and directed some shorts.  After that he came to Los Angeles and earned a Master of Fine Arts at University of Southern California.  Back to Korea he experienced heavy debt and admitted that he felt desperation and considered survival games to escape disaster, sparking an idea.  He did successfully write and directed  films.  He has 9 writing credits, 7 directing credits and 2 for producing.  One was for "Silenced" (2011) which was based on a legal case for abuse for deaf students and corruption.  After serious concerns it was released, helped bring about re-opening the case and to change the law. Another film was "Miss Granny" {2004) that was humorous and was copied in other languages.  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/09/comparing-two-grannies.html.  

Jung Jae-il was responsible for the music.  He has 6 credits for composing, 10 for the music department and 2 for soundtrack including "Okja" (2017) and "Parasite" (2019).  see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/09/parasite-breaks-oscar-tradition.html

Lee Jung-jae played Seong Gi-Hun, the previous winner of the first game.  He won a Prime Time Emmy for his previous role in Squid Game, Season 1.  On another occasion he had to learn English for an American movie, "The Acolyte" (2024).  He owns a chain of high end Italian restaurants named after one of his movies, "Il Mare" (2000).  With 45 acting credits he has appeared in "The Thieves" (2012), "The Housemaid" (2013), "Assassination" (2015) and "Along with the Gods:  The Two Worlds" (2017).

 Lee Byung-hun plays the front man in both series.  Graduated from university with a degree in French literature.  He has appeared in a few American films and has even been a presenter for the Oscars.  He has 54 acting credits including "Joint Security Area" (2000), "The Good the bad the weird" (2008), "Masquerade" (2012), "The Magnificent Seven" (2018) and "Our Blues" (2022).   see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/07/korean-mini-series-to-watch.html  covering "Our Blues" and several other Korean films.

Wi Ha-joon played Hwang Ha-Joon, the policeman trying to stoop the Squid Game. He has 22 acting credits including "Little Women" (2022).   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/06/little-women-korean-version.html

Park Sung-hoon played a transgender prisoner ex military, Hyun-Ju.  There had been criticism they should have gotten a real transgender, but it was realized this was too touchy in Korea.  Sung-hoon had done a number of thetarical plays and has 29 film acting credits including "The Glory" (2022-23) and "Queen of Tears" (2024).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/05/queen-of-tears.html

Kang Ae-shim played Geum-ja, the elderly prison mother of another prisoner.  she has 23 acting credits including "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" (2022) and "Divorce Attorney Shin" (2023).   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/08/extraordinary-attorney-woo.html

Jun Suk-ho played Woo seok, part of the team pursuing the location of the Squid Games.  He has 31 acting roles including "Hyena" (2020) and "Love Next Door" (2024). See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/10/love-next-door.html

Park Gyuyoung played No-eul, one of the killer soldiers.  She has 20 acting credits including It's Okay not to be Okay" (2020).   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/03/its-okay-not-to-be-okay.html

Gong Yoo played a recruiter.  He has 27 acting credits including "Silenced" (2011), "The Suspect" (2013)"Train to Busan" (2018), "The Age of Shadows" (2018) and "The Trunk" (2024).

"Squid Game, Season  1 and 2 are available subtitled or dubbed on Netflix.  A third season is scheduled for sometime later in 2025..

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be better able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.

Love Child

There are a lot of stories available about autism which seems to be increasing.  One factor is that now it is diagnosed on a spectrum, meaning that some of the news attention getting geniuses are balanced by non functional humans and there are plenty in between.  I included non functional, but in reality all humans are for something if given a chance.

"Love Child" (2025) is about a young couple who got pregnant and vowed to love each other and the unborn child.  They both quit school to take low level jobs and set up a household.  For about two years the family seemed fairly normal, but their new son's behavior caused a concern which resulted in a diagnosis of autism.  They wanted to help as much as they could, but they encountered stresses.  More money was needed, but sometimes work conflicted with caring for their child.  Specialized care was expensive.  Frustrating that a caretaker received more response than his mother. They encountered people who lived separately abroad to earn more money.  

They are forced to make very difficult choices.  Inevitably there were guilt feelings and heated discussions about the difficult choices.  Their love did survive the stress.

As viewers we get a glimpse about how difficult life can be for some of our fellow beings.  It is only a glimpse, but should help you better understand the ordeal presented by special needs.  As voters we have a choice to support governments that prove a concern for struggles or continue with some form of the status quo.

Most of you will not guess how this story ends, but unfortunately it does make sense.  Some hard thinking went into this film.

Jonathan Jurilla was the director and helped write the script.  More importantly he helped create it.  He had a son diagnosed as autistic.  He felt that most stories about autistic people were with genius exceptions, but didn't really deal with the struggles of parents.  This film reflects some of the struggles.   He has been an associate professor at the University of Philippines.  He has 8 directing credits, 8 for the 8 writing credits and 4 for editing. 

Arden Rod Condez was a writer and a producer.  He has 14  credits as a writer; 3 for additional crew and 8 for directing.

Andrew Florentino composed the music.  He has 28 composing credits; 10 for the music department and soundtrack for 13 including for "Lola Igna" (2019).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/08/two-filipino-movies-with-message.html

Rommel Sales was the cinematographer.  He has 62 cinematography credits, 10 for the camera and electrical department an 3 for directing.

John Paul Ponce was the editor.  He has 15 credits as editor and 6 for the editorial department. 

Jane Oineza played Ayla, the mother.  She has 40 acting credits and 1 for script and continuation department.

RK Bagatsing played Pao, the father.  He has 29 acting credits and 1 for script and continuation department.

Jon Tyrron Ramos played Kali, the autistic child.  This was his first film. 

Autism seems to be more prevalent these days, but part of the reason might be we are more sensitive to those on different parts of the spectrum.  Every person is unique and that needs to be appreciated just as we also need to understand what we have in common.

I have done several blogs involving autism and would like to draw attention to two that deal with youngsters and the stress on the parents.  This first one is the most popular of any of my film blogs and concerns an unusual therapy, but please note parental separation:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/03/the-lighthouse-of-orcas.html

Another blog is more recent and deals with a school for special needs children which had been sought by desperate parents:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/12/the-mothers-of-pengins-series-from.html

"Love Child" is available subtitled on Netflix.

When the Phone Rings

"When the Phone Rings" (2024-25) started with a different sort of premise.  A woman who is supposed to be mute is sending threatening messages with a man's voice to a man we learn is her husband.  Over the next 12 episodes we learn of secrets and misunderstandings and deal with evil.

For the previous 12 months this has been one of the most compelling series.  When I grew up my family would watch a lot of story series, notably "I Love Lucy" and "Perry Mason" and we were quite used to waiting a week for the next adventure.  Many of the series I now watch are already totally available and I admit I sometimes binge to one degree or another.  With this series I got hooked early, but they are rolling it out over 12 episodes spread over 43 days.  I usually try to spread out my viewing, but with "When the Phone Rings" I felt compelled to watch each new episode right away, disrupting other things.  As I write this I am very anxious to find out what happens next as there have been so many twists.

The main female lead, Hong Hee-joo is not deaf,  nor mute but acts mute and becomes very adept at sign language to the point of getting high government posts.  Her marriage seems extremely platonic and not acknowledged for most of his acquaintances.  Apart from her husband she has obtained a smart phone that allows her to speak while the voice transmitted is that of a male and she threatens him, mocking him with information that almost all insiders would not know.

Paik Sa-eon, the husband is the son of a powerful politician  and well regarded (and feared by some).  He was originally supposed to marry the elder sister, the daughter of an important media owner.  When the intended bride took off,  Hee-joo was a desperate last minute solution.  He treats his wife very platonically, even verbally abusive.  They sleep in different rooms.  Almost all his contacts do not realize he is married.  One of her mocking calls, laughs that he has never seen her naked and she has a mole on her thigh which he abruptly verifies.

The mystery boils down to how they both ended up like this and what happens next.  As in films and life, outside events intrude to create more havoc.  At heart they are both basically decent people who got off on the wrong foot.  The secrets and misunderstandings lead to a lot of tension.  For viewers there are almost endless twists.

To create and maintain this level of engagement a lot of people were essential.  Here are some of them.

Ji Woon Kim was the writer.

Park Sang Woo was the director.  He has 2 directing credits including "Melancholia" (2011).    http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/07/melancholia.html

Yoo Yeon-seok played the leading man, Paik Sa-eon.  He has 36 acting credits including "Oldboy" (2003). "The Werewolf Boy" (2012) and "The Beauty Inside" (2015).

Chae Soo-bin played the leading lady, Hong Hee-joo who was very professional at sign language.  She has 20 acting credits.

 Heo Nam-jun played a psychiatrist  Ji Sang-woo who had been friends with Hee-joo.  He has 6 acting credits.

Jang Gyu-ri played a broadcast colleague with Ji Sang-woo.  She had been a member of the girl band Fromis.  She has 23 acting credits including "It's Okay not to be Okay" (2020).   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/03/its-okay-not-to-be-okay.html

Han Jae-yi played Hong In-ah, the sister to Hee-joo.  She has 20 acting credits including "Something in the Rain" (2018), "See You in my 19th Life" (2023) and "Mask Girl" (2023).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/08/mask-girl.html

Im Chul-soo played Kang Yeong-woo, a close friend of Paik Sa-eon.  He has 17 acting credits including "Crash Landing on You" (2019-2029), "Vincenzo" (2021) and "Queen of Tears" (2024).  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/crash-landing-on-you-very-addicting.htm and http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/05/queen-of-tears.html  

"When the Phone Rings" is available subtitled on Netflix.  You will have the chance to binge and enjoy without the unncessary waiting. As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be better able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.

2024

 Each year I attempt to remember the positive events that have passed.  Some may think it strange that I always start off with those who have left us.  None of us got to where we are without the influence of those who left their mark.

Florence Demacio-Olynyk was my mother in law, so I am grateful for her critical role in bringing up my wife, Sharon.  I have also benefited from her two other children, Lorri and Leonard and in turn their children.  She herself has been generous and accepting of me for over 50 years.  She has doted over my two children all their life.  She has also loved her other grandchildren plus great grandchildren. Many meals and celebrations have been enjoyed by all.

 

Ed Broadbent's death in mid January was what got me started on this post.  Back in 1968 I first heard his name because I was working with the Liberal campaign in the federal election in the Oshawa Whitby riding.  Obviously there were many factors involved in his first victory (with only a 20 vote margin), but I flatter myself I was one of them.  Over the years I came to appreciate he was intelligent and considerate.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/04/my-short-but-educational-political.html

Alexei Navalny died in prison, ultimately a murder.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/01/navalny-hero-for-our-times.html

Brian Mulroney, Conservative Prime Minister and opposition leader.   Although many upset at the time I actually felt the G.S.T. was a good move, because most didn't realize it replaced a complicated hidden tax and spread the tax burden to the growing service sector.

Sergio Mendes was a favorite musician since my late teen years and I had bought several of his albums.  I still enjoy his music with a Brazilian beat that opened up other performers.  A lot of memories.

 

 

 

Nelson DeMille, best selling author.  He is a first cousin to my mother in law.  Talking to an aunt of his I learned how he was born in the U.S.A.  A grandfather was upset over a wayward daughter who had taken off to the States (from Canada) and sent two brothers to bring her back home.  Instead the daughter set up both men with American women and one of them ended up being Nelson's mother.  Nelson has written a number of books, most of which I have read and enjoyed.  He co-wrote two books with his son who has been a script writer and hopefully will carry on with novels.  For more on him check:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/05/tribute-to-nelson-demille-real-writer-i.html

 

 

On December 29th, Jimmy Carter died at age 100.  He is dismissed by some prominent politicians and commentators, but he set a better example both in office and also after losing the election.  Although not a perfect man I will let others issue criticisms.  He was an advocate for the environment, at one time installing 32 solar panels on top of the White House (taken down by Ronald Reagan).  He was instrumental in a peace accord between Israel and Egypt.  He set up two cabinet level departments, one for Energy and another for Education.  Jimmy pushed for more Human rights.  He decided to give back the Panama Canal to Panama.  After leaving the White House he got involved] with eradicating diseases, supervising elections in several other countries and through Habitat for Humanity helped set up affordable housing.  He and Rosalynn gave a higher profile to mental health.  He  won 3 Grammy awards for reading three of his books.  On top of of all that he was one of the more honest politicians and lived a modest life style.  Preceded by his wife, Rosalynn's death after they had been married 77 years.  read more  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/10/the-outlier-unfinished-presidency-of.html

 Two more welcome additions.

Born on Valentine's Day, Jack Valentyne Smythe entered our world.  The Valentyne middle name is after a grandfather.  Parents Ryan and Sam join with Emma welcoming a new family member.

 

 

 

 

Ava  is a proud daughter to Karleigh and Mark.  Grandmother (Nanny) Lorri has a growing tribe.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once a lifetime events are special.  Somehow we managed to make it through 50 years of marriage.  Our celebrations started on (the preceding Sunday) when Lor  ri and Kerry took us out to a Greek restaurant in Burlington, Mythos.  Wonderful meal.

As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations we went to the Royal Alexander to see "Six"

Also went to a favorite restaurant Scaddabush.
 

 

 

On our actual anniversary we went to Mairzy's Pearl with a gift certificate from friends.  Hadn't eaten oysters for several years, but can still appreciate the attraction.

An anniversary present from Heather and Laura was a special night at Merit Brewery "In the Dead of Winter 2024"

We watched and enjoyed "Shirley Valentine" at Theatre Aquarius.  Poster by Kieran Daly.

 

 

 

"Beautiful Scars"   A world premiere by a local musician, Tom Wilson.  Also at Theatre Aquarius.

 

 

Annual Portuguese Street Parade

 

 Marching band

One of our neighbors.

 

Horses are part of the parade.

 

 We saw an enjoyable mystery play at Hamilton Player's Guild "Burn"

 

Thanks to Storyworth I now have a story of my life.  A birthday gift from Sharon that we can all share.  The cover photo was from my brother Marshall.

 

 

Our neighborhood was able to hold a block party, one block from our house.  Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians was one of the performers who sang to his wife Laura and son Lewie

 Sharon joined Laura and Lewie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BJ Page was unexpected ,jumping on top of a van to sing a song
                             

                     

  

The Racalmuto Festival was held the same weekend.  More on this festival :  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/06/hamilton-ontarios-connection-to.html

 

 

 

 

Canada Day with the Blue Jays

 Canadian flag unfurled                   Air Force Veterans honored

 

 

 

 

 

 Heather and Laura announced their engagement and held a party to celebrate with friends and relatives.

 

 

 

 

 

John and Debbie Polkinghorne on their 50th anniversary joined in the celebrations.

 

 Chloe and Deegan talk to Abby & Logan.

 

 

 

 

 Art Crawl Summer of 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Wedding of the Year Heather and Laura

 

 

 

The night before at Merit Brewery.  Gherelyne, Michael, Sharon, John, Heather, Laura

 

 Heather, Laura, Wayne and Cathy

 

 

 

Dan, Shelley, Laura Lei, Sheldon

 

 

 

 

 

 Megan, Chloe and Deegan

 

 

 

        

 

r Michael and Gherelyne with a Tesla

 

                                                                                                         Ryan and Samantha

Christine and Marty

Laura Lei, Officiant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some loved ones died before this joyous event, but are remembered. 

 

One of my volunteer events for Fair Vote Canada

 

 

 

 

Super Crawl was back, bigger than ever.  Huge crowds to take in a variety of music and food and merchandise.  My Son the Hurricane was one of the hi-lites for us.

 

 

 

Another wedding was enjoyable, meeting lots of friends and seeing a unique event.   Kelly and Steve decided on an outdoor ceremony.  A good time had by all.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    We all had a sparkling good time.

 

 

 

 

King James seen at Theatre Aquarius
 

 

 

 

 

A family gathering to celebrate at the Mandarin for Emma's 8th birthday.  Our server took this gorgeous shot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I gave a speech for Fair Vote Canada wearing my New Zealand shirt.

 

 

 

 

A Visit to the Military Museum

 War of 1812

                                                                                                    

                                                   Rebellion of 1837 Bloody Assizes

 

 

Our usual New Year's Eve get together ushering in 2025.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 A list of English speaking movies I enjoyed over the year.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/12/english-speaking-films-for-2024.html

Foreign movies seen this past year:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/12/foreign-language-films-2024.html

The books I read gave hours of enjoyment and were thought provoking:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/12/books-read-in-2024.html 

Top blog of the year    http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/05/monopolies.html

2nd top    http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/05/why-do-so-many-arabs-oppose-palestine.html

We love going to restaurants;  Scaddabush, Merit Brewing, Marzy's Pearl. PinToh By Chef Keng, Bardo, Cowabunga , Seasoned Restaurant, Mythos, Wild Orchid, Caro, Mesa, Grain & Grit, Kelly's Landing, Indonesian Flavours, Mandarin, Bahn Mi Hue,

Check out last year:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/01/2023.html