Squid Game is a South Korean survival drama released on Netflix in 2021, where indebted players compete in children's games for a cash prize and are shot when eliminated. Its stark sound design, including single gunshots marking each loss, became instantly recognisable as the show spread worldwide. Clips and edits reused the shot sound outside the series to signal an instant, final failure, and it remains a shorthand in memes, gaming videos and reaction edits for someone being removed without warning or appeal.