"Squid Game" Tops, Despite Claims of Manipulation... Nominated for Japan's Buzzword of the Year Award

Netflix original drama 'Squid Game'.
Photo by Netflix

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] The Netflix drama "Ojingeo Game" (Squid Game) has been included among the candidates for this year's buzzwords and new expressions, announced annually by a famous Japanese publishing company.

On the 4th, "Ojingeo Game" ranked first overall on Netflix Japan, gaining tremendous popularity. Riding this wave, the publisher Jiyu Kokuminsha announced that "Ojingeo Game" was listed as number one among the 30 candidates for the "2021 U-Can New Words and Buzzwords Awards" announced that day.

Last year, the Korean drama "Crash Landing on You" was included in the top 10 for the New Words and Buzzwords Awards.

Besides "Ojingeo Game," many terms related to the spread of COVID-19 and vaccines were nominated. Terms such as "buban-eung" (adverse vaccine reaction), referring to vaccine side effects; "byeoniju" (variant strain), referring to mutated viruses; and "jataek yoryang" (home care), referring to COVID-19 patients resting and recovering at home, were included among the candidates.

Also nominated were "muksik" (silent eating), recommended by health authorities to avoid conversation during meals to prevent COVID-19 spread, and "mask hoesik" (masked company dinners), meaning wearing masks while talking during company dinners.

Other notable candidates included the pictograms that gained popularity during the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony and the sarcastic expression "bagaji ssieuneun namjak" (the baron who overcharges), referring to IOC President Thomas Bach allegedly forcing Japan to bear the financial burden of the Tokyo Olympics.

The winners of this year's New Words and Buzzwords Awards will be announced on the 1st of next month.

'Squid Game' is ranked number one on Netflix Japan.
Photo by Netflix

Meanwhile, some Japanese netizens and media had raised suspicions that Korean media were "manipulating popularity" regarding "Ojingeo Game," but this nomination once again proved the drama's popularity.

At that time, the Japanese economic media "Hyundai Business" published a recent opinion piece titled "Is Squid Game Really Trending? Three Reasons Why Many People Are Not Hooked."

Writer Yamamoto Naoko shared an article stating that "Ojingeo Game" ranked first in Netflix TV program viewership, mentioning, "It seems to have many views in Japan as well. Released on the 17th of last month, 'Ojingeo Game' is still number one in Netflix Japan's 'Today's Overall TOP 10'."

However, Yamamoto argued that despite its fame, "Ojingeo Game" did not generate strong enthusiasm among actual viewers. She claimed, "Contrary to the article's tone, I do not feel the popularity. Most articles introducing the popularity of 'Ojingeo Game' have fewer than 100 comments, which reflects the level of people's interest."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.