Play the Game, Win your Life: A Student’s Review of “Death’s Game”
Written by Khang Dang
“To die” means to what?
Death is a deep topic. It is something that awaits us at the end of our lives. Its inevitability is the hardest thing that people might ponder. Human life is so short, lasting for only a century naturally if we’re fortunate. In our short lives, we become terrified of the idea that our lives could be cut short at any time. We make the most out of our time living, for when we return to death, we can no longer do the things we’d once done.
When we’ve finished spending our time living, death will finally come to us when the time is right.
At least, that’s how it should happen, right?
Not quite the case when Choi Yi-Jae, a businessman who has been hunting for jobs his whole life, decides to take his life into his own hands. After years of searching for jobs and working hard to integrate himself into his dream job, Taekang Corporations, his one chance is ruined when he witnesses a horrific sight that forever changes his life. He witnessed a stranger jump into oncoming traffic, and his composure and motivation were completely usurped. Within moments, his opportunity at getting into his dream company is ruined.
Flash forward to years later, he is given another chance to pursue the same company once more. Yet, even after a second attempt, his life is again turned upside down when those around him run off with all the money needed for his job. He had almost gotten the job, but he no longer had the money to supply himself. If things couldn’t get worse, he is evicted from his apartment with no place to live.
Through the pressure and the fear of disappointment from his loved ones, he becomes trapped in his own desperation. His life comes to a stasis where everything seems to slow down, while life keeps going. It is as if his life is ripped from his own hands again and again, so that his death could not come sooner.
Being so burdensome, he cannot help but wonder how he can keep on living when all he can do is mess up time and time again. He takes control of the only thing he can: his life. He brings it to an abrupt end by his own hand.
At least, that’s how it should happen. Right?
Death did not think so. Once his life had come to an halt, he believed that he was to either go to Hell or to Heaven. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in front of the gates of Hell alongside a new face to antagonize him.
In some manner before everything came to a stop, he had done something mortally amiss to completely anger Death. Pleading for his life to end, he is only met with a punishment that he must endure. Otherwise, he would be sent to the pits of hell. Despite already being dead, he is given the task to realize what he’s done wrong before he is sent to eternal damnation.
Twelve lives. Twelve chances. All set to die soon. If he can beat this punishment, otherwise known as “Death’s game,” he will be sent up to heaven for God to judge him. If he cannot figure out his mortal sin before that, there will be no further discussion of his fate.
Now, personally, this show was devastating. When I tell you the amount of tears I had shed for this show could supply the entire Earth, I am telling you the honest truth. There was so much about this show that has given me insight into my own life, and especially with how I’ve lived my life. I can guarantee you this show will make you cry or feel saddened by the circumstances that impact our main character. From the people who he has loved who come forth to mourn his death and move on as best as they can, to the late lessons that he learns in other lives that he could have applied to his own when he was alive– everything that happens will devastate him and you even more. You might need to talk to someone about this show because, goodness, it is a diamond amongst jewels.
You can watch “Death’s Game” on Amazon Prime now. All eight episodes, although ranging from 40 minutes to sometimes an hour, are all worth the time. Don’t keep Death waiting.
Featured Image: Amazon Studios
