The highly anticipated Season 3 of Netflix’s hit survival thriller Squid Game is at the center of a growing controversy. The backlash erupted after Episode 2 featured a highly criticized childbirth scene involving contestant Kim Jun-hee, sparking heated debates across social media and entertainment forums.
While Squid Game has never shied away from pushing the boundaries of dystopian drama, many viewers are now accusing the creators of insensitivity and poor research, especially regarding how childbirth was portrayed in a high-stress survival challenge setting.
What Happens in the Scene?
In Episode 2 of Squid Game Season 3, character Kim Jun-hee suddenly goes into labor in the middle of a deadly challenge. Within a span of just five minutes, she gives birth to a baby — with the assistance of fellow contestant Geum Ja, played by Kang Ae-sim.
The scene shows Jun-hee in moderate distress but surprisingly lacks any realistic depiction of labor pain, medical intervention, or post-delivery complications. There’s no visible blood, no amniotic fluid, and no placenta delivery. What’s more, the baby appears completely healthy, clean, and resilient, despite receiving no immediate care, food, or even basic clothing like diapers.
Social Media Reactions: “This Is Not How Birth Works!”
The scene quickly went viral on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and Instagram, where viewers expressed a mix of confusion, disappointment, and outrage.
“So no one’s going to talk about how she gave birth in five minutes? With a smile? And then just walked it off?” one user posted, tagging Netflix and the show’s director.
Another commented:
“Jun-hee gave birth in under 15 minutes, no blood, no after-effects — but her broken ankle got more attention and screen time. Seriously?”
The hashtag #SquidGame3Controversy began trending within hours of the episode’s release, with several posts criticizing the lack of biological accuracy and the portrayal of childbirth as a ‘cinematic convenience’.
Why the Scene Is Being Called “Insensitive”
Many female viewers, especially mothers, healthcare professionals, and women’s rights advocates, have called out the scene for being poorly researched and deeply unrealistic.
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No portrayal of labor stages: The scene skips entirely over the intense and prolonged stages of childbirth.
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No bleeding or medical urgency: The delivery appears clean and effortless.
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Baby’s miraculous survival: Despite no hygiene, nourishment, or protection, the newborn is shown as healthy and thriving.
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Lack of emotional realism: Jun-hee exhibits little physical or emotional strain post-delivery.
Critics argue that this misrepresentation of childbirth not only undermines the real-life experiences of women but also reinforces harmful media stereotypes that trivialize maternal health.
Director Faces Heat for Lack of Realism
A significant portion of the backlash is directed at the show’s male director, with many accusing him of lacking a basic understanding of female biology and childbirth. Some viewers questioned if any female consultants or medical experts were involved in the scriptwriting or production of the scene.
“This is what happens when men write childbirth scenes,” said one viral tweet. “Zero understanding, zero respect.”
Another viewer posted:
“They spent more time on the baby’s ankle cast than on the labor. Unreal.”
While Netflix has not yet released an official statement, insiders suggest that the creative team is aware of the criticism and may address it in upcoming interviews or future episodes.
A Broader Problem in TV and Film
This is not the first time a TV series or film has come under fire for inaccurate portrayals of childbirth. Media critics note that fast, painless births have become a recurring trope in fiction, even though real-life childbirth is often long, complex, and medically demanding.
Such portrayals can be problematic because they:
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Desensitize audiences to maternal health risks
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Spread misinformation about labor and delivery
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Fail to represent the diverse experiences of women giving birth
Health professionals also caution that young audiences who consume such content may develop misconceptions about pregnancy, which could be harmful if left uncorrected.
What Experts Say
Obstetricians and maternal health specialists were quick to weigh in on the controversy. Dr. Meena Rao, a Delhi-based OB-GYN, told KKNLive:
“Giving birth without any pain, bleeding, or assistance in five minutes is biologically implausible. Media has a responsibility to show such events with at least basic realism — especially in shows that pride themselves on intense emotional and physical storytelling.”
Global Audience, Global Responsibility
With Netflix’s global reach, the responsibility to portray sensitive issues accurately becomes even more critical. Squid Game, which has already established a reputation for thought-provoking social commentary, is now being accused of dropping the ball on women’s representation.
Many fans believe that the series missed an opportunity to highlight the challenges of motherhood, especially in a high-stakes survival scenario — which could have added depth and emotional complexity to Jun-hee’s character arc.
While Squid Game Season 3 continues to dominate Netflix’s global charts, its controversial Episode 2 birth scene is casting a shadow over its success. What was likely intended as a dramatic twist has turned into a lesson in why accurate, sensitive storytelling matters — especially on subjects as serious as childbirth and maternal health.
As the season progresses, viewers will be watching closely to see if the show course-corrects, or if the backlash continues to grow.
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