
In a move that's stirred divided reactions online, streaming giant Netflix has launched Squid Game: The Challenge, a reality show version of the hit Netflix series.
On its YouTube channel, Netflix posted a 46-second video announcing the project, describing it as “the biggest reality series ever” with the “biggest prize ever.” Just like the show, the 456 players competing in the game will vie for a huge cash prize of USD$4.56 million. Those interested in competing can head to the website SquidGameCasting.com.
Watch the announcement video below.
Visiting the Squid Game casting website reveals that the show is casting players in the United States, the United Kingdom, and “global” applicants outside of the United States and the United Kingdom. Interested players need to be 21 years old and need to be available for a month in early 2023. Applicants also need to send a one-minute video introducing themselves, why they want to join the show, their game plan to win, and what they would do with the cash prize.
The announcement has elicited a mixed response on Twitter, especially as the show is a critique of capitalism and the class inequality present in South Korean society. Others criticized the decision, while others showed their applications to the game.
netflix is about to kill 455 innocent people https://t.co/LinKqsnNgd
-- jacob alpharad (@Alpharad) June 15, 2022
hwang dong-hyuk: in my show i invented the Squid Game as a cautionary tale
-- gryphoneer (@OneRadChee) June 14, 2022
netflix: at long last, we have created the Squid Game from classic anti-capitalist satire Squid Game pic.twitter.com/sxNgK37K54
*Pinches bridge of her nose* H'OKAY SO. The true horror of Squid Game is not the game itself, it's the barbaric society that allows for this kind of game to be creative, lucrative, and ongoing. https://t.co/MiIwOP4JVc
-- Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors 💖💜💙 (@shadowravyn) June 14, 2022
Well there it is, I can only hope now that I get picked for Squid Game: The Challenge! pic.twitter.com/i4RbJAyh7n
-- FxRDY TV (@FxRDY_TV) June 15, 2022
Not me trying to apply Squid Game: The Challenge 😂
-- 🍀 ニキータ (@13claudia_) June 15, 2022
The reality show is just the latest development for Netflix's biggest show. Last year, the show won the first of its three acting awards, with co-star O Yeong-su awarded the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor last month.
Earlier this year, both Jung Ho-yeon and Lee Jung-jae won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series, respectively, at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
In his acceptance speech, Lee Jung-jae thanked the “global audience” for the appreciation showered on Squid Game, while Jung Ho-yeon delivered an emotional speech where she thanked the gathered actors who she says she watched growing up.
His reaction says it all ♥️ Lee Jung-Jae takes home the Actor® for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series! #sagawards pic.twitter.com/efqompdngz
-- SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) February 28, 2022
Jung Ho-Yeon receives her first-ever Actor® for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for her role in #SquidGame #sagawards pic.twitter.com/PJAHCavDni
-- SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) February 28, 2022
The Screen Actors Guild also awarded the show Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Drama or Comedy Series. The show has also been given the Gotham Award for Breakthrough Series - Longform last year.
Ho-yeon, whose role in Squid Game was her first acting job, has also seen her Instagram following increase to 23.5 million as of this writing.
Ho-yeon also managed to nab the February cover of Vogue US. Check out the photos in the gallery below.