Squid Game is a Netflix show from South Korea that involves lots of people playing a deadly game for the prospect of winning life-changing money. But as of today, it’s now also an actual game that may or may not involve murder of contestants. Yes, Netflix has officially announced Squid Game: The Challenge, a reality show competition that will offer 456 real-life contestants the chance to compete for $4.56 million. It will be a 10-episode series filmed in the United Kingdom and produced by Studio Lambert (The Circle) and The Garden (24 Hours in A&E).
Squid Game: The Challenge will incorporate games that were seen in the TV show, in addition to some new ones, and “strategies, alliances, and character will be put to the test.” It continues to be alarming that Netflix has not clarified if people will die on this show, but let’s give it the benefit of the doubt. In any case, $4.56 million is the largest cash prize ever offered on a reality show, so this is certainly a unique way for Netflix to beg people not to cancel their subscriptions.
Brandon Riegg, Netflix VP of Unscripted and Documentary Series, provided the following slightly dystopian comment:
Squid Game took the world by storm with Director Hwang’s captivating story and iconic imagery. We’re grateful for his support as we turn the fictional world into reality in this massive competition and social experiment. Fans of the drama series are in for a fascinating and unpredictable journey as our 456 real world contestants navigate the biggest competition series ever, full of tension and twists, with the biggest ever cash prize at the end.
Recruitment for Squid Game: The Challenge has begun, seeking English speakers from around the world. It’s nice that the auditions for the show are global, but it’s a little messed up that Koreans who don’t speak English can’t participate in the thing that originated in their country. Meanwhile, Squid Game season 2 is confirmed to be in development at Netflix.
