Netflix is turning its hit Korean drama, Squid Game, into a new reality show. Titled Squid Game: The Challenge, the show pits 456 contestants against each other in a series of games from the series. As they battle for the grand prize of $4.56 million.
As part of the show’s promotional campaign, the streamer has released the first trailer. Which begins much like the original series with an empty warehouse-type room filled with bunk beds. Then a voiceover instructs the contestants by saying, “Attention all players, it is now time for the next game. Please enter the game hall immediately.
The trailer also shows glimpses of the first challenge. Which is a recreation of the “Red Light, Green Light” game from the show. One contestant describes it as a “savage game”.
Watch the trailer below
Further, Squid Game: The Challenge official synopsis reads. “As they compete through a series of games inspired by the original show—plus surprising new additions—their strategies, alliances, and character will be put to the test while competitors are eliminated around them.” “From Red Light/Green Light to the Dalgona Honeycomb Challenge, all the iconic games are here in the 10-episode season. However, some “surprising additions” make it even more cutthroat as alliances form and enemies emerge.”
The trailer depicts a brutal competition, much like in the show. However, unlike the show, no contestant dies. Furthermore, the show has already generated some controversy, as Rolling Stone reported that former contestants described the experience as “cruel,” “rigged,” and conducted under inhumane conditions.
One contestant said, “It was just the cruelest, meanest thing I’ve ever been through.” Adding that. “We were a human horse race, and they were treating us like horses out in the cold, and [the race] was fixed.”
But Netflix and co-producing studios The Garden and Studio Lambert denied these allegations in a joint statement. “Any suggestion that the competition is rigged or claims of serious harm to players are simply untrue.” “We’ve taken all the appropriate safety precautions, including aftercare for contestants, and an independent adjudicator is overseeing each game to ensure it’s fair to everyone.” The statement added.
Squid Game: The Challenge debuts on Netflix on November 22. Then Netflix releases new episodes weekly through December 6.