When Netflix launched its global phenomenon series Squid Game, millions of viewers all had the same question: "how would I do in a real-life version of the contest?" Part of what made Squid Game such a massive hit was the premise of the actual Squid Game itself. As the world slips deeper into financial oblivion — with countless citizens grappling with absurd amounts of debt — the idea of participating in a deadly game that promises millions of dollars is more attractive than it should be.
After the show became a hit, Netflix had to swiftly figure out how to milk the concept into a potential franchise. In addition to a second season, Netflix greenlit a game show that promised to replicate the Squid Game in real life. According to Comic Book Resources, some of the contestants for the upcoming Squid Game reality show have claimed the game was rigged and inhumane.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, select competitors, who remained anonymous, have called out the Netflix reality game show, based on the streaming service's original South Korean series, for being "inhumane" and "rigged." "It was just the cruelest, meanest thing I've ever been through," one competitor said. "We were a human horse race, and they were treating us like horses out in the cold racing, and [the race] was fixed." Like Squid Game, 456 contestants competed to win the biggest grand prize in television history: $4.56 million.
Recently, one claim alleged Squid Game: The Challenge called in medical support following a shoulder injury during a dangerous rendition of "Red Light, Green Light." Additionally, four others suffered ailments from freezing weather, but allegedly no contestants suffered life-threatening injuries. Following the rumors' publication, co-producers Netflix and Studio Lambert issued a joint statement to deny any reports of serious harm.
