sparkle

Pyramid Game pulls you into a world that feels eerily familiar, even though it’s anything but ordinary. The protagonist, a smart, outgoing girl, finds herself constantly switching schools because of her father’s work. She’s used to making new friends, navigating different environments, and hoping for a warm start—but from the moment she walks into her new school, she realizes something is seriously off. Instead of the usual excitement of a new place, she’s thrown into a bizarre and unsettling game that pits students against each other based on popularity: A, B, C, D... and then there’s F.

Being assigned F doesn’t just mean you’re at the bottom—it’s a dangerous designation. If you get F, your classmates are free to torture you, both mentally and physically, with no consequences. It’s a game where survival means playing dirty, betraying others, and using lies and manipulation as tools to protect yourself. The question that haunts you is: Why would anyone agree to play such a game? What do they even gain?

The answer is chilling: Money. It gives students the power to climb the ranks, but it comes at the cost of their morality. It’s not just about playing the game—it’s about ruining others to get ahead, all while schools and the higher-ups turn a blind eye. Do they care if students are bullied, self-harming, or emotionally scarred? Not really. What they care about is protecting their image. That’s the heartbreaking truth at the heart of the show.

The series does an incredible job of reflecting society—where the rich live in their bubble, untouched by the struggles of the less fortunate. Meanwhile, those at the bottom are clawing to escape their tough situations. Pyramid Game doesn’t shy away from showing the dark side of human nature, where people act out of desperation, fear, and the desire to survive at any cost. But just when you think you’ve got a character figured out, BAM—a twist hits, and everything changes.

Speaking of characters, I absolutely loved how real the female lead felt. She’s not a perfect hero by any means. She’s clever, resourceful, and at times, she makes some tough, even selfish decisions. But that’s what makes her relatable. She’s not here to save the world—she’s here to protect herself. And honestly? That’s something we can all understand. She’s smart enough to know when to act, when to trust, and when to lie to keep herself safe. No damsel in distress here, folks!

Now, the antagonist. Oh boy. At first, she seems like just another character, and then slowly—you realize she’s not who she appears to be. The actress who played her did an outstanding job—her expressions and subtle smiles really brought the character to life in ways that words never could. I won't spoil anything, but let’s just say, expect the unexpected when it comes to this character. She's masterfully portrayed, and it took me a while to even realize just how manipulative she is.

However, I did have a bit of an issue with the pacing of the show. At first, I was completely hooked—the suspense, the tension, the mind games. But as the episodes went on, it started to drag a bit. I felt like the story could’ve moved a bit faster, especially in the middle episodes. Also, there were moments when the scenes outside the school felt a bit less engaging compared to the tension-filled classroom moments. They didn't quite pack the same punch.

One thing I did find interesting was the way the agencies are more concerned about their reputation than the actual well-being of the students. This adds a nice layer of critique on how real-world institutions often prioritize image over people.

At the end of the day, Pyramid Game is definitely worth a watch. It’s a psychological thriller with a sharp social commentary about power, money, and manipulation. Even if you’re not into high school settings, give the first episode a try—you might either hate it or fall in love with it, but it’ll definitely make you think about the darker side of human nature and the systems we live in.