Netflix has released a teaser for its highly anticipated “Squid Game” reality series, “Squid Game: The Challenge.”
What it’s about: The show, which premieres on Nov. 22, follows 456 real-life contestants as they compete in a series of games inspired by the hit Korean drama. For one, the teaser shows the iconic giant doll from the original series’ “Red Light, Green Light” game, hinting at the seat-rocking suspense viewers can expect.
What’s in it: While the series is obviously not a fight to the death, players will battle for a whopping grand prize of $4.56 million. This, according to Netflix, is the largest sum ever for a reality competition.
Controversies: The show has been embroiled in some controversy while filming in its U.K. studios. The “Red Light, Green Light” game was reportedly run in below-freezing temperatures, allegedly resulting in at least 10 people collapsing and one being stretchered out.
Former players have also accused the competition of being “rigged.”
“They made it seem like we all truly had a fair shot to actually win this money. It was already scripted. They already knew the people they wanted in the next round. That’s the part to me that was f*cked up,” one previously told Vice.
Netflix responds: In response, Netflix, alongside producers Studio Lambert and The Garden, called the allegations of serious injuries and rigged competition “simply untrue.” They said they have taken “all the appropriate safety precautions,” including “after care for contestants” and the involvement of an “independent adjudicator” to ensure that each game is “fair to everyone.”
