It was the entertainment underdog that hooked the world. Made on a modest US$21 million budget, Korean dystopian drama Squid Game became the most-watched series in Netflix history. And at least part of that success can be attributed to its Emmy-winning set design. Like the plot, it was unpredictable, captivating and jarring: scenes of capitalistic greed and brutal violence playing out against candy-colored backdrops rich with childhood nostalgia. Coming in at 36 on our #MIP2022 list, the project delivered more than just eye candy. Each set was designed with purpose, each piece laddering up to the larger narrative. “Aesthetically speaking, we created the places and displays trying to make the viewers think about the hidden intentions of Squid Game with us,” says Chae Kyoung-sun, the mastermind behind the show’s trippy visual architecture. “We wanted the place itself to tell a story.” One example is the dorm in which the contestants sleep. Metal bunks are stacked six high in an arr...