Squid Game Season 3 has sparked backlash over a controversial and unrealistic childbirth scene featured in Episode 2. The moment in question involves contestant Kim Jun-hee suddenly going into labour and giving birth mid-challenge, during a high-stakes survival task. What was meant to be a dramatic twist has instead drawn significant criticism for its lack of realism and sensitivity.
The entire birthing sequence—lasting under five minutes—has been widely panned for glossing over the physical and medical realities of childbirth. Viewers noted there was no visible pain, no bleeding, no presence of amniotic fluid, and no follow-up showing the delivery of the placenta. Adding to the disbelief, Jun-hee’s broken ankle receives more narrative focus than the birth itself. Critics argue that the portrayal trivializes a deeply intense and complex process.
Social media platforms were flooded with reactions, many of them mocking the scene’s implausibility. One viral comment stated:
“Gihun made it to the final games twice. Jun-hee gave birth in less than 15 minutes, no bleeding, nothing, but her broken ankle was treated as more painful than childbirth. The baby didn’t have diapers and was fed twice but still survived.”
The director, who is male, has been at the center of the storm, with viewers accusing him of failing to consult women or medical experts on how childbirth actually unfolds. Many argue that in a series celebrated for its societal critique and human psychology, this scene felt careless and uninformed.
Despite Squid Game’s usual strength in portraying brutal realism and layered commentary, fans feel this particular sequence broke immersion and undermined the show's credibility. Some have called for a re-edit, while others fear that such creative missteps might damage the legacy of the acclaimed series.
Squid Game Season 3 premiered globally on Netflix on June 27, and while it retains much of the visual intensity and moral dilemmas the show is known for, the childbirth scene has emerged as a standout misfire in the eyes of many fans and critics alike.
