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Squid Challenge: The Ultimate Guide to Netflix’s Reality Show Based on Squid Game

If you loved Squid Game, the hit South Korean drama that became Netflix’s most-watched series ever, you might be curious about Squid Challenge, the reality show based on it. But what is Squid Challenge exactly, and how does it differ from the original show? Is it worth watching, or is it just a cheap imitation that exploits its contestants? In this article, we will answer all these questions and more, as we give you the ultimate guide to Squid Challenge.

What is Squid Challenge?

Squid Challenge is a reality competition series that was announced by Netflix in June 2022, after the success of Squid Game. It is produced by Studio Lambert and The Garden, two British production companies that are known for shows like Gogglebox, Undercover Boss, and The Circle. According to Netflix, Squid Challenge is a “massive competition and social experiment” that tests how far people are willing to go for money.

The premise and format of the show

The premise and format of Squid Challenge are very similar to those of Squid Game. The show features 456 contestants from around the world, who are randomly selected to participate in a series of games based on Korean children’s games. The contestants wear green tracksuits with numbers on them, while the staff wear red suits and black masks. The games take place in a huge set that resembles the one from the original show, complete with a giant doll, a bridge, and a squid-shaped arena.

However, unlike Squid Game, where losing means death, Squid Challenge does not involve any violence or bloodshed. Instead, the contestants wear movie-style blood packs that explode on their bodies if they fail a game, simulating the effect of being shot. The contestants are also free to leave the game at any time, without any consequences. However, if they stay until the end, they have a chance to win a huge cash prize.

The games and challenges featured on the show

The games and challenges featured on Squid Challenge are mostly inspired by the ones from Squid Game, but with some variations and additions. Here are some examples of the games that the contestants have to face:

• Red Light, Green Light: The contestants have to cross a field while a giant doll turns around and scans them with its eyes. If they move when the doll says “red light”, they are eliminated.
• Dalgona Cookie: The contestants have to cut out a shape from a thin honeycomb candy without breaking it. If they break it or fail to finish in time, they are eliminated.
• Tug of War: The contestants are divided into teams of 10 and have to pull a rope over a pit. The team that falls into the pit is eliminated.
• Marbles: The contestants are paired up and have to play various games with marbles. The winner of each game gets all the marbles from their opponent. The contestant who loses all their marbles is eliminated.
• Glass Bridge: The contestants have to cross a bridge made of glass panels. Some panels are strong enough to support their weight, while others are weak and will shatter. The contestants have to guess which panels are safe and which ones are not. If they step on a weak panel, they fall into a net below.
• Squid Game: The final game is based on the traditional Korean game of the same name. The contestants have to draw a squid-shaped figure on the ground and divide it into two zones: the body and the head. One contestant is the attacker, who has to enter the body zone and reach the head zone, while the other is the defender, who has to stop them. The attacker can only use one foot, while the defender can use both feet and hands. The attacker wins if they reach the head zone, while the defender wins if they push the attacker out of the figure.

These are just some of the games that Squid Challenge offers. There are also other games that are not based on Squid Game, such as dodgeball, hopscotch, and musical chairs. The show also adds some twists and surprises to keep the contestants on their toes, such as changing the rules, adding obstacles, or introducing special guests.

The prize money and how to win it

The prize money for Squid Challenge is $45.6 million, which is equivalent to 45.6 billion won, the currency used in Squid Game. This amount is also equal to 100,000 times the debt of each contestant, which is revealed at the beginning of the show. The prize money is stored in a giant piggy bank that hangs above the set, and it decreases every time a contestant is eliminated.

To win the prize money, a contestant has to survive all the games and be the last one standing. However, there is also another way to end the game: by voting. After each game, the contestants are given a chance to vote whether they want to continue or stop the game. If more than half of them vote to stop, the game ends and the remaining contestants split the prize money equally. However, if they vote to continue, they have to face another game.

Why is Squid Challenge controversial?

While Squid Challenge may sound like an exciting and fun show, it has also been met with a lot of controversy and criticism. Many people have accused the show of being inhumane, unethical, and illegal for various reasons.

The allegations of inhumane conditions and exploitation

One of the main criticisms of Squid Challenge is that it exploits its contestants by subjecting them to inhumane conditions and treatment. Some of these allegations include:

• Lack of consent and information: Some contestants have claimed that they were not fully informed about what they were signing up for when they agreed to participate in Squid Challenge. They said that they were not told about the nature and rules of the games, the risks and dangers involved, or their rights and obligations as contestants.
• Poor living conditions: Some contestants have complained that they were forced to live in cramped and dirty dormitories with no privacy or comfort. They said that they had to sleep on bunk beds with thin mattresses and blankets, share bathrooms with no hot water or soap, and eat bland and insufficient food.
• Physical and psychological abuse: Some contestants have reported that they were subjected to physical and psychological abuse by the staff and other contestants. They said that they were beaten, threatened, harassed, humiliated, and manipulated by the staff who wore red suits and black masks. They also said that they witnessed or experienced violence, bullying, cheating, betrayal, and trauma from other contestants who were desperate to win.

These allegations have sparked outrage among human rights groups, who have called for an investigation and a boycott of Squid Challenge.

The ethical and legal implications of the show

Another criticism of Squid Challenge is that it raises ethical and legal questions about its morality and legality. Some of these questions include:

• Is it ethical to make a show based on human suffering? Some people have argued that Squid Challenge is immoral and insensitive for making entertainment out of human suffering. They said that the show exploits people’s poverty, debt, and desperation for profit and ratings. They also said that the show glorifies violence, greed, and selfishness as values.
• Is it legal to simulate death on TV? Some people have questioned whether Squid Challenge is breaking any laws by simulating death on TV. They said that the show may be violating human dignity, privacy, and safety laws by showing people’s fake deaths on screen without their consent or knowledge. They also said that the show may be inciting violence, fear, and distress among viewers.
• Is it fair to manipulate people’s emotions? Some people have wondered whether Squid Challenge is fair and honest in its portrayal of its contestants and their emotions. They said that the show may be using editing, music, and narration to manipulate the viewers’ perception and reaction to the contestants and their stories. They also said that the show may be creating artificial drama and conflict among the contestants to increase the tension and suspense.

These questions have sparked debate among ethical and legal experts, who have different opinions and perspectives on Squid Challenge.

The backlash and criticism from fans and experts

A final criticism of Squid Challenge is that it has received backlash and criticism from fans and experts of Squid Game. Some of these criticisms include:

• It is a rip-off of Squid Game: Some fans have accused Squid Challenge of being a rip-off of Squid Game, without giving proper credit or respect to the original show. They said that Squid Challenge is copying the plot, characters, settings, and aesthetics of Squid Game, without adding anything new or original. They also said that Squid Challenge is missing the point and message of Squid Game, which is a critique of capitalism and social inequality.
• It is a mockery of Korean culture: Some experts have accused Squid Challenge of being a mockery of Korean culture, without understanding or appreciating its significance and history. They said that Squid Challenge is appropriating and misrepresenting Korean children’s games, which are part of Korea’s cultural heritage and identity. They also said that Squid Challenge is ignoring and erasing the cultural and political context of Squid Game, which is influenced by Korea’s history and reality.
• It is a waste of resources: Some critics have accused Squid Challenge of being a waste of resources, without contributing anything valuable or meaningful to society. They said that Squid Challenge is spending millions of dollars on a frivolous and harmful show, while there are more important and urgent issues in the world that need attention and support. They also said that Squid Challenge is wasting the talent and potential of its contestants, who could be doing something more productive and beneficial with their lives.

These criticisms have sparked protests and petitions from fans and experts, who have demanded Netflix to cancel or change Squid Challenge.

How to watch Squid Challenge?

If you are still interested in watching Squid Challenge, despite all the controversy and criticism, here are some details on how to watch it.

The release date and schedule of the show

Squid Challenge is set to premiere on Netflix on October 1st, 2023, which is exactly one year after the release of Squid Game. The show will consist of nine episodes, each lasting about an hour. The episodes will be released weekly, every Friday, until November 26th, 2023.

The streaming platforms and regions where the show is available

Squid Challenge will be available on Netflix globally, except for some regions where it is banned or restricted due to legal or cultural reasons. Some of these regions include China, North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and India.

Squid Challenge will also be available on other streaming platforms that have partnered with Netflix, such as Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, and Peacock. However, these platforms may have different release dates and schedules for the show.

The ratings and reviews of the show

Squid Challenge has not yet received any official ratings or reviews from critics or audiences, as it has not been released yet. However, based on the trailer and the buzz around the show, it is expected to be a hit or a flop, depending on who you ask.

Some people are excited and curious about Squid Challenge, as they are fans of Squid Game or reality shows in general. They think that Squid Challenge will be a thrilling and entertaining show that will keep them hooked and engaged.

Some people are disgusted and outraged by Squid Challenge, as they are critics of Squid Game or reality shows in general. They think that Squid Challenge will be a cruel and offensive show that will exploit its contestants and viewers.

Conclusion

Squid Challenge is a reality competition series that is based on Squid Game, the hit South Korean drama that became Netflix’s most-watched series ever. It features 456 contestants from around the world who compete in a series of games based on Korean children’s games for a chance to win $45.6 million. However, it also faces a lot of controversy and criticism for being inhumane, unethical, illegal, immoral, and insensitive. Whether you love it or hate it, Squid Challenge is a show that will surely make an impact and spark a conversation. If you want to watch it, you can find it on Netflix or other streaming platforms starting from October 1st, 2023.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Squid Challenge:

• Q: Is Squid Challenge real or fake?
• A: Squid Challenge is a real show, but it is not as deadly or dangerous as Squid Game. The contestants are not actually killed or harmed, but they wear blood packs that simulate the effect of being shot. The contestants are also free to leave the game at any time, without any consequences.
• Q: Who are the contestants of Squid Challenge?
• A: The contestants of Squid Challenge are 456 people from around the world, who are randomly selected to participate in the show. They are all in debt and have different backgrounds, personalities, and motivations for joining the game. Some of them are celebrities, influencers, athletes, or activists, while others are ordinary people.
• Q: Who are the creators and producers of Squid Challenge?
• A: Squid Challenge is created and produced by Netflix, in collaboration with Studio Lambert and The Garden, two British production companies that are known for shows like Gogglebox, Undercover Boss, and The Circle. The show is also endorsed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator and director of Squid Game.
• Q: How is Squid Challenge related to Squid Game?
• A: Squid Challenge is a reality show that is based on Squid Game, a South Korean drama that became Netflix’s most-watched series ever. Squid Challenge follows the same premise and format as Squid Game, but with some variations and additions. Squid Challenge also features some references and Easter eggs to Squid Game, such as the music, the costumes, and the props.
• Q: What is the message and meaning of Squid Challenge?
• A: Squid Challenge is a show that explores the themes of human nature, morality, and society. It challenges the viewers to question how far they would go for money, what they would do in a life-or-death situation, and how they would treat others who are in the same boat as them. It also reflects on the issues of capitalism, inequality, and exploitation that affect many people in the world today.

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