Duolingo's newly titled “Learn Korean or Else” language learning course plays on the high-stakes energy of Netflix’s Squid Game to motivate fans to do their Korean lessons, just in time for the premiere of Season 2 on December 26, 2024. The partnership leverages Duolingo’s mascot, Duo the Owl, who has taken on the role of a Squid Game Pink Guard. Much like the series' challenging environment, Duo isn’t afraid to raise the stakes. Whether chasing down users in videos or appearing at fan events and on billboards, Duo reminds fans to learn Korean or “face the consequences”. Duolingo is adding over 40 keywords and phrases from Squid Game to its Korean course, enabling learners to connect even more closely with the series. By learning Korean, Squid Game fans can appreciate the renowned series on an entirely new level, experiencing dialogue, expressions, and cultural context in ways only possible through understanding the language.
