Here’s What The Maze-Like Staircase In Netflix’s “Squid Game” Was Heavily Based On

Can you take a guess?

Netflix‘s Squid Game is famous for a number of reasons. Its cast, story, and of course, set designs, are all praise-worthy.

One of its most iconic sets is definitely the maze-like staircase. Several stairs were stacked close to each other, painted in either pink, green, or blue.

| Netflix

If you’re a viewer who also loves art, you’d immediately recognize its similarities with MC Escher‘s works. The said artist is known as one of the greatest graphic designers and printers of all time.

MC Escher | Widewalls

The artwork that the K-Drama most closely resembles is “Relativity,” a lithograph printed in 1953 that features an impossible shape called a Penrose Triangle. It is a mesmerizing illusion where various people and worlds meet at confusing angles.

“Relativity” | MC Escher

Another work that Squid Game could have taken inspiration from is MC Escher’s 1955 piece “Convex and Concave.” It also features a complex set of stairs that are not unlike the staircase in the show.

“Convex and Concave” | MC Escher

In fact, Squid Game’s writer-director, Hwang Dong Hyuk, and art director, Chae Kyung Sun, revealed in an interview that they were inspired by his works.

This was heavily influenced by the engravings of MC Escher.

— Hwang Dong Hyuk, Writer-Director of Squid Game

This is not the first time MC Escher’s “Relativity” made it into popular culture. It was seen in the likes of the sitcom Futurama

| FOX

…the manga Berserk

| Kentaro Miura

…and even FOX‘s popular animated series, Family Guy.

| FOX

So now you know why these staircases look so familiar!

Source: YouTube