Based on the Naver webtoons Money Game and Pie Game by Bae Jin-soo, The 8 Show is a bold exploration of societal and economic disparities, wrapped in the guise of a high-stakes game. This Netflix K-Drama series dives into the mechanics of wealth and power, illustrating the stark divide between the rich and the poor through a captivating plot.
Eight strangers are thrust into a game where they are locked inside a building, earning a substantial amount of money for each minute the game continues. Each night, they are sequestered in different rooms across eight separate floors. The cost of their basic provisions is a staggering 1000x their normal price, deducted from their prize earnings. During the day, they can use a portion of their remaining time to buy provisions for the group.
Initially, the participants—identified only by their floor numbers—collaborate to maximize game time and individual earnings while maintaining basic comfort. However, the discovery that higher floors earn significantly more money and have larger rooms than the lower floors sparks a fierce power struggle. This conflict underscores the show’s central theme: the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.
The earnings structure in The 8 Show is one critical aspect:
1st Floor: 10,000 WON per minute
2nd Floor: 20,000 WON per minute
3rd Floor: 30,000 WON per minute
4th Floor: 50,000 WON per minute
5th Floor: 80,000 WON per minute
6th Floor: 130,000 WON per minute
7th Floor: 210,000 WON per minute
8th Floor: 340,000 WON per minute
This Fibonacci sequence compounds the earnings of the previous two floors, giving the higher floors an undeniable advantage.
Chun Woo-hee, playing the role of 8th floor, often finds herself entertained by the struggles of those below. She exploits her power and earnings to maintain her comfort, embodying the elitist perspective the show critiques.
The origin of this twisted game is shrouded in mystery. Much like the chilling setup of Squid Game, a shadowy group kidnaps the participants and brings them to a massive warehouse. Here, they are given eight cards and must choose one, determining their floor number. Prices within this environment are exorbitantly inflated: privately purchased items cost 1000 times their original value, while items bought in common areas cost 500 times more but do not affect their earnings.
This scenario serves as a powerful metaphor for the taxes and fees we encounter in real life.
We earn money, pay taxes on our income, and then face additional costs like GST and various other fees. It’s a vicious cycle that mirrors the plight of the eight participants.
As the game progresses, the participants discover that the clock indicating the remaining game hours can be manipulated to increase their time—and thus their earnings. This leads to a bizarre circus of entertainment, with participants performing everything from innocent dances and juggling acts to more provocative displays of sexual prowess. Their goal is to entertain the unseen audience watching through CCTV cameras, earning more hours based on their performance.
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The 8 Show is a gripping commentary on societal inequities, power dynamics, and human resilience. It’s a thought-provoking series that challenges viewers to reflect on the real-world systems of wealth and privilege that govern our lives. With its compelling storyline and complex characters, this K-Drama is a must-watch for anyone interested in a deep, entertaining critique of modern society.
The 8 Show, a gripping dark comedy thriller—albeit fiction—definitely speaks to us, the viewers in a rather overwhelming way!
It’s a gripping series that inundates societal and economical prowess, struggles between the class and the masses and everything that’s utterly wrong and biased in our society.
I would personally give this series 4.5/5 stars
Watch The Trailer Below:
