"Don't Risk Your Life, We'll Give You 100 Million Won"... 'Heo Kyung-young Game' Following 'Squid Game'

Popular Drama 'Ojingeo Game' Parody Poster Released
"Friendly and Funny" vs "Promises That Can't Be Kept" Netizens Debate

Huh Kyung-young, Honorary Representative of the National Revolutionary Party, posted the 'Huh Kyung-young Game' presidential election promotional poster on his Facebook / Photo by Huh Kyung-young Facebook capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Heo Kyung-young, Honorary Representative of the National Revolutionary Party, has attracted attention by unveiling a presidential campaign poster parodying the popular Netflix drama "Squid Game." "Squid Game" depicts impoverished people risking their lives to compete in a survival game for prize money. In response, Representative Heo stated, "Don't risk your life playing a tough game," and claimed he would reduce poverty through direct cash support policies.

On the 20th, Heo posted on his Facebook, saying, "Heo Kyung-young is here," and claimed, "If Heo Kyung-young wins with over 50% of the vote, I will send members of the National Assembly to a mental education camp and provide 100 million won to every citizen aged 18 and over."

The poster Heo posted alongside his message was titled "Heo Kyung-young Game" and included the phrase, "The rules of the game are simple. Will you struggle in the rich-get-richer, poor-get-poorer cycle, or will you receive 100 million won and 1.5 million won monthly?" This is interpreted as a policy to reduce the wealth gap by directly providing cash to the people.

The poster Heo revealed is a parody of "Squid Game," which was released on the movie and drama streaming service Netflix on the 17th. "Squid Game" is the first Korean work to rank number one among popular titles on Netflix in the United States, gaining immense popularity. The drama depicts people driven into poverty trapped in a massive space, risking their lives in survival games to win a prize of 45.6 billion won.

Regarding this, Heo emphasized, "456 trillion won. We will save the budget and return it to you. Will you vote?" and added, "Heo Kyung-young will help the people of the Republic of Korea find their inner smile."

Netizens' reactions to Heo's promotional poster were mixed.

CEO Heo held a presidential election kickoff event in front of the Daechupmun Gate at Haengju Fortress in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 18th of last month. / Photo by Yonhap News

Some commented, "Established politicians could never do this kind of promotion," and "Comedians should take Heo Kyung-young as their mentor," expressing amusement.

On the other hand, there were criticisms that it was merely a superficially packaged populist policy. One netizen pointed out, "It's heartbreaking to see some citizens supporting a promise that is obviously impossible to keep," adding, "It seems to be proof of how harsh Korean society has become."

Meanwhile, on the 19th of last month, Heo declared his "presidential campaign launch" in front of Haengju Fortress in Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province. At that time, he appeared wearing armor and riding a white horse in front of the Haengju Fortress Victory Gate, saying, "There is no hope for regime change unless it is Heo Kyung-young."

He also explained his presidential pledges in detail. He promised that if elected, within two months of taking office, he would provide an emergency livelihood support fund of 100 million won per person to all citizens aged 18 and over, and pay a monthly "national dividend" of 1.5 million won. He also pledged 100 million won as a marriage allowance, 200 million won for housing funds, and 50 million won per child born, claiming, "Young people who cannot marry because of money are eagerly waiting for my TV appearances."

Regarding the budget plan to support the massive cash support policy, he explained, "If we save 70% of the annual national budget of 550 trillion won, 38 trillion won remains. By reducing the prison population by 90%, switching to a property-proportional fine system to secure 100 trillion won annually, and collecting 200 trillion won in taxes through anti-tax evasion measures, we can secure 758 trillion won in resources every year."

He also claimed about himself, "I have outstanding foresight and management skills."