As a cinema devotee with a keen interest in cultural exploration, I must admit that Squid Game has left me utterly captivated. The introduction of Player 044, or Shaman Seon-nyeo, has undeniably been one of the most intriguing additions to the series for me, given my personal fascination with the mystical and spiritual realms.
In the second season of Squid Game, viewers are introduced to several fresh characters, and one of the most captivating is Player 044, also known as the enigmatic shaman Seon-nyeo, who stands out due to her firm convictions and ominous warnings.
The character is a practitioner of Korean shamanism, which is a religion with a long national history that has seen a resurgence in prominence as of late, linked partly to the rise in social media.
In the hit series “Squid Game,” South Korean actor Chae Kook-hee portrays Seon-nyeo, a character whose shamanic powers were previously formidable but have since faded.
In other words, she doesn’t shy away from swearing or bullying opponents, and at the same time, she firmly believes that the gods will help her navigate the dangerous situations presented in season 2.
If you’re curious about the impact of shamanism on the storyline of Squid Game, here’s a brief overview explaining its relevance within contemporary Korean culture.
What is a Shaman in South Korea as seen in Squid Game?
A spiritual advisor from South Korea is an individual whom people seek out for counsel regarding significant life choices, personal issues, or assistance with both physical and emotional ailments.
In the context of Korean culture, shamans have faced a complex past. They’ve experienced periods of exclusion and restriction due to opposition from stronger religious groups that viewed their rituals as outdated or questionable, sometimes labeled as deceitful by certain individuals.
Over the past five decades, there’s been a growing appreciation for shamanism, largely due to its connection with South Korea’s democracy movement and increasing acknowledgement as a traditional native culture.
Regarding shamanic practices, it’s important to note that they can differ greatly among practitioners. However, certain shamans assert that they are taken over by divine entities during their ceremonies. These rituals often include offering gifts to these deities in hopes of receiving assistance with specific personal matters.
These rituals may include extraordinary actions performed by the shaman, like walking or dancing on knife edges without harming their feet, or adopting various tones and languages when they speak.
One well-known shaman from contemporary Korean history is Kim Keum-Hwa. Her abilities were sought out even by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul during their post-fire reconstruction, as they believed she could bring prosperity to their endeavors.
In a conversation with Britannica, she expressed that she’s unable to clarify the source of her energy, and even if she could, it wouldn’t be comprehensible to them. The realm of a shaman, she noted, encompasses four dimensions, allowing us to perform extraordinary feats and heal the ill. Although this might seem implausible, she insisted that it is indeed true.
A traditional healer may attribute an illness to an unfavorable or unsettled spirit, suggesting the need for an exorcism in extreme situations. However, it’s important to note that they do not claim to replace conventional Western medical practices as outlined by TED Fellows.
At times, some spiritual leaders or shamans have faced significant bodily or psychological challenges during their lifetimes. They viewed these experiences as a divine summons towards their religious vocation.
This year, it was reported by Reuters that Korean shamanism has experienced a resurgence in interest due to the digital era. Nowadays, people are gaining a better understanding of these traditional practices thanks to the internet.
More and more young Koreans are seeking advice from shamans about challenges they face in their lives, with 29-year-old practitioner Lee Kyoung-hyun attributing this trend to challenging societal conditions in Korea as a contributing factor for people turning to these services.
She shared with Reuters her perspective that Shamanism, for many Koreans, has deep historical roots. Originally perceived as a hidden, enigmatic, and spiritual realm, it’s now becoming increasingly accessible to the general public due to the abundance of YouTube videos about the subject.
Remarkably, the top-earning movie of 2024 in South Korea was the supernatural horror film titled Exhuma. The story revolves around a famous shaman and her disciple who strive to remove a curse from a prominent family.
Including a shaman more prominently in Squid Game season 2 might help increase understanding and appreciation of this traditional role within a younger audience, as well as captivate new, international viewers who may not be familiar with it.
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2024-12-26 14:34