Squid Game Season 3 Backlash Over Unrealistic Birth Scene

The scene that broke suspension of disbelief

Director under fire

A narrative misstep or symbolic choice?

A missed opportunity?

One of the biggest OTT platform's most popular series, Squid Game Season 3, may have delivered high-stakes drama and emotional depth, but one scene in particular has sparked intense backlash online. In Episode 2, Jo Yuri’s character, Kim Jun Hee, gives birth mid-game—a sequence that has left many viewers baffled, with some calling it unrealistic and tone-deaf. During a life-or-death challenge, Jun Hee suddenly goes into labour. With the help of fellow contestant Geum Ja (played by Kang Ae Sim), she delivers her baby in what appears to be under five minutes—without medical assistance, visible pain, or any post-birth complications. The scene quickly went viral, with one tweet garnering over 7.5 million views, mocking the implausibility of the moment. Her water breaks, she gives birth, and then she’s walking around like nothing happened?! Even the baby knew when to cry and when not to. It’s laughable. Much of the backlash has been directed at the show’s male director, with critics accusing him of having a poor understanding of childbirth. Viewers pointed out the lack of basic medical details—no amniotic fluid, no delivery of the placenta, and no signs of postpartum fatigue. It’s not just unrealistic—it’s lazy writing. It shows how little the creators consulted women or medical experts. While some fans defended the sequence as a symbolic representation of endurance or rebirth, the majority felt it clashed with the show’s otherwise gritty realism. The fact that Jun Hee is later seen jumping rope with her newborn only added fuel to the fire. Given Squid Game’s reputation for sharp social commentary, many fans believe the scene could have been a powerful moment—had it been handled with more nuance and realism. Instead, it has become a lightning rod for criticism, with some viewers even choosing to abandon the series altogether.