• Green light, red light game played in 'Squid Game'. Photo: Netflix
    Green light, red light game played in 'Squid Game'. Photo: Netflix
  • A scene from 'Squid Game'.
    A scene from 'Squid Game'.
  • In the Netflix show, participants die when they fail to complete the games.
    In the Netflix show, participants die when they fail to complete the games.
  • Oh Yeong-su plays Oh Il-nam, an elderly man with a brain tumour.
    Oh Yeong-su plays Oh Il-nam, an elderly man with a brain tumour.
  • Jung HoYeon and Heo Sung-tae play characters who risk their lives to compete for the prize money.
    Jung HoYeon and Heo Sung-tae play characters who risk their lives to compete for the prize money.
  • Lee Jung-jae as lead character Seong Gi-hun, a gambling addict.
    Lee Jung-jae as lead character Seong Gi-hun, a gambling addict.
  • Anupam Tripathi as Pakistani worker Ali Abdul.
    Anupam Tripathi as Pakistani worker Ali Abdul.
  • The show has been a runaway hit for Netflix since it premiered on September 21.
    The show has been a runaway hit for Netflix since it premiered on September 21.
  • In 'Squid Game', players compete in adapted versions of popular children’s playground games in the hope of freeing themselves from financial burden.
    In 'Squid Game', players compete in adapted versions of popular children’s playground games in the hope of freeing themselves from financial burden.
  • Jung HoYeon plays a North Korean defector in the series.
    Jung HoYeon plays a North Korean defector in the series.
  • Masked enforcers ensure losers from each game are duly eliminated.
    Masked enforcers ensure losers from each game are duly eliminated.

'Squid Game' being made into non-fatal reality show for Netflix with $4.56m winnings


  • English
  • Arabic

Netflix's most-watched series is no longer only a fictitious television show after the streaming service greenlit "its biggest reality competition ever" called Squid Game: The Challenge.

Unlike the series where the stakes are life or death, the worst possible fate in this 456-player competition will be leaving without the $4.56 million winnings, which Netflix claims is the largest lump sum prize in reality TV history.

Squid Game became Netflix's most-watched series when it was released in September 2021. It told the story of cash-strapped contestants who play popular Korean children's games for a chance to win life-changing sums of money.

The first season holds the record as Netflix’s most popular series of all time, with more than 1.65 billion hours viewed in its first 28 days, the company said.

The 10-episode reality competition will include games inspired by the original show, as well as new additions, Netflix said.

One of YouTube’s top US creators, MrBeast, did an unofficial iteration of this idea by recreating aspects of the South Korean drama’s set and hosting games featured in the show, such as Red Light, Green Light. The YouTuber also opted out of the killing aspect but strapped a device to all 456 players that mimicked a bullet fired when a player was ruled out.

Netflix’s reality show will be filmed in the UK and is currently only casting English speakers.

The announcement comes only days after the scripted series was renewed for a second season.

“And now, Gi-hun returns,” director, writer and executive producer Hwang Dong-hyuk wrote in a letter to fans. “The Front Man returns. Season 2 is coming.”

Hwang revealed teasers about new characters and developments in his letter for season two.

“The man in the suit with ddakji might be back,” he wrote, referring to the mysterious man who recruits players.

Viewers will also meet Cheol-su, the “boyfriend” of Young-hee, the show's much-recognisable animatronic doll.

— The National contributed to this report

Real-life 'Squid Game' in Abu Dhabi — in pictures

  • Mohamed as The Front Man, left, with a guard during the Squid Game event at the Korean Cultural Centre at twofour54 in Abu Dhabi. All Photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Mohamed as The Front Man, left, with a guard during the Squid Game event at the Korean Cultural Centre at twofour54 in Abu Dhabi. All Photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • The Squid Game event was held only over one day and featured 15 participants competing against one another in two sessions at the Korean Cultural Centre
    The Squid Game event was held only over one day and featured 15 participants competing against one another in two sessions at the Korean Cultural Centre
  • Players who did not successfully complete the challenge get 'shot' with soft sponge toy guns to signal their elimination
    Players who did not successfully complete the challenge get 'shot' with soft sponge toy guns to signal their elimination
  • In the dalgona game, players tried to cut out a preset shape in the honeycomb toffee without breaking it
    In the dalgona game, players tried to cut out a preset shape in the honeycomb toffee without breaking it
  • Players were required to sign a paper agreeing to the rules before beginning the games – just like in the show
    Players were required to sign a paper agreeing to the rules before beginning the games – just like in the show
  • The guards kept their eyes on everyone
    The guards kept their eyes on everyone
  • The honeycomb toffee game, also known as the dalgona game, has become a viral trend on its own
    The honeycomb toffee game, also known as the dalgona game, has become a viral trend on its own
  • A Squid Game guard holds up the South Korean and UAE flags at the Korean Cultural Centre
    A Squid Game guard holds up the South Korean and UAE flags at the Korean Cultural Centre
  • The Korean Cultural Centre presented players with the same card as seen on the hit show
    The Korean Cultural Centre presented players with the same card as seen on the hit show
  • Tin boxes with snacks were distributed to players after the Squid Game event
    Tin boxes with snacks were distributed to players after the Squid Game event
  • Players begin playing green light, red light at the Korean Cultural Centre
    Players begin playing green light, red light at the Korean Cultural Centre
  • Two players face off to play Ttakji during the Squid Game event at the Korean Cultural Centre
    Two players face off to play Ttakji during the Squid Game event at the Korean Cultural Centre
  • Two other players compete in a marble game to see who can get their marble closest to the circle
    Two other players compete in a marble game to see who can get their marble closest to the circle
  • Nam Chan-woo, director of the Korean Cultural Centre, before the start of the Squid Game event
    Nam Chan-woo, director of the Korean Cultural Centre, before the start of the Squid Game event
  • Players get ready to play green light, red liight
    Players get ready to play green light, red liight
  • Those who were eliminated had to put on skull stickers over the numbers on their shirt
    Those who were eliminated had to put on skull stickers over the numbers on their shirt
  • The Korean Cultural Centre's version of glass stepping stones mean that players had to guess the right combination of numbers to cross over
    The Korean Cultural Centre's version of glass stepping stones mean that players had to guess the right combination of numbers to cross over
  • The guards for the Squid Game event at the Korean Cultural Centre
    The guards for the Squid Game event at the Korean Cultural Centre
  • A player takes a photo ahead of the event at the Korean Cultural Centre
    A player takes a photo ahead of the event at the Korean Cultural Centre
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
On sale: Later this year
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202-litre%20direct%20injection%20turbo%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%207-speed%20automatic%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20261hp%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20400Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20From%20Dh134%2C999%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

MATCH INFO

Barcelona 5 (Lenglet 2', Vidal 29', Messi 34', 75', Suarez 77')

Valladolid 1 (Kiko 15')

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Hani%20Abu%20Ghazaleh%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20with%20an%20office%20in%20Montreal%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%202018%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Virtual%20Reality%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%241.2%20million%2C%20and%20nearing%20close%20of%20%245%20million%20new%20funding%20round%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2012%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

About Proto21

Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group

Company profile

Company: Rent Your Wardrobe 

Date started: May 2021 

Founder: Mamta Arora 

Based: Dubai 

Sector: Clothes rental subscription 

Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded 

Brahmastra%3A%20Part%20One%20-%20Shiva
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAyan%20Mukerji%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERanbir%20Kapoor%2C%20Alia%20Bhatt%20and%20Amitabh%20Bachchan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Chelsea 3 (Abraham 11', 17', 74')

Luton Town 1 (Clark 30')

Man of the match Abraham (Chelsea)

'Panga'

Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta

Rating: 3.5/5

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

La Mer lowdown

La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
 

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

ABU%20DHABI%20CARD
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E5pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(Turf)%202%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E5.30pm%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Rub%20Al%20Khali%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E6pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAl%20Marmoom%20Desert%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E6.30pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELiwa%20Oasis%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E7pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAl%20Khatim%20Desert%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E7.30pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Al%20Quadra%20Desert%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Champion%20v%20Champion%20(PFL%20v%20Bellator)
%3Cp%3EHeavyweight%3A%20Renan%20Ferreira%20v%20Ryan%20Bader%20%3Cbr%3EMiddleweight%3A%20Impa%20Kasanganay%20v%20Johnny%20Eblen%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%3A%20Jesus%20Pinedo%20v%20Patricio%20Pitbull%3Cbr%3ECatchweight%3A%20Ray%20Cooper%20III%20v%20Jason%20Jackson%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EShowcase%20Bouts%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EHeavyweight%3A%20Bruno%20Cappelozza%20(former%20PFL%20World%20champ)%20v%20Vadim%20Nemkov%20(former%20Bellator%20champ)%3Cbr%3ELight%20Heavyweight%3A%20Thiago%20Santos%20(PFL%20title%20contender)%20v%20Yoel%20Romero%20(Bellator%20title%20contender)%3Cbr%3ELightweight%3A%20Clay%20Collard%20(PFL%20title%20contender)%20v%20AJ%20McKee%20(former%20Bellator%20champ)%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%3A%20Gabriel%20Braga%20(PFL%20title%20contender)%20v%20Aaron%20Pico%20(Bellator%20title%20contender)%3Cbr%3ELightweight%3A%20Biaggio%20Ali%20Walsh%20(pro%20debut)%20v%20Emmanuel%20Palacios%20(pro%20debut)%3Cbr%3EWomen%E2%80%99s%20Lightweight%3A%20Claressa%20Shields%20v%20Kelsey%20DeSantis%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%3A%20Abdullah%20Al%20Qahtani%20v%20Edukondal%20Rao%3Cbr%3EAmateur%20Flyweight%3A%20Malik%20Basahel%20v%20Vinicius%20Pereira%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: June 15, 2022, 6:17 AM