Squid Game accused of whitewashing South Korea’s ‘atrocities’ in Vietnam war

Vietnamese state media outlet Lao Dong reported on Monday that the Culture Ministry’s Cinema Department is reviewing whether the second season of Squid Game violates Vietnam’s laws.

“If it is concluded that the series violates regulations, we will handle the matter in accordance with the law,” the department reportedly said. This follows widespread backlash on Vietnamese social media, with calls to boycott the series for misrepresenting the nation’s history.

The controversy stems from dialogue involving a contestant in the deadly games. Actor Kang Ha-neul, who plays the character Dae-ho (player No 388), describes his family’s military history, saying, “My father wanted me to become a real man, so he sent me to the Marines. My father was a Vietnam war veteran.” Other contestants respond by praising his father, saying, “Your father must be an honourable man.”

This exchange has angered many Vietnamese viewers, who criticised the series for glorifying South Korean soldiers who served in the Vietnam war.

“It’s wrong to portray Korean Vietnam war veterans as honourable figures,” said one commentator on social media. “The series whitewashes the atrocities committed by South Korean soldiers during the war,” said another.