Netflix's Real-Life "Squid Game" Contestants Allegedly Stretchered Out During Filming

Hwang Dong Hyuk and Netflix‘s Korean thriller Squid Game was a massive hit not only in South Korea but overseas despite its heavy subject matter. The show centers on 456 players competing in a series of childhood-themed games to the death, with the last one standing to win ₩45.6 billion ($35 million USD).

With its popularity, we have seen many Squid Game-themed events, shows, and parodies. They have all been controversial in their own way.

Yet, Netflix’s own upcoming reality competition show Squid Game: The Challenge is already potentially the most problematic, although they have self-described it as “the biggest reality competition series ever.”

Fans of the drama series are in for a fascinating and unpredictable journey as our 456 real world contestants navigate the biggest competition series ever, full of tension and twists, with the biggest ever cash prize at the end.

— Brandon Riegg, Netflix vice president

Production for the unscripted Squid Game began on Monday, December 23, at Cardington Studios, “a hangar in a former Royal Air Force base located north of London.” According to reports, “hundreds of contestants were forced to compete in below-freezing temperatures.”

“The secret location” of filming | *ANDREW STYCZYNSKI via THE SUN*

Like the original Squid Game, 456 volunteers competed to win a grand prize of over $4 million USD. The similarities didn’t end there. Just like the original series, the first game was “Red Light, Green Light,” which includes the giant animatronic doll Young Hee.

“Red Light, Green Light” scene in “Squid Game” | Netflix

The game turned out nearly as deadly as the original series too. The contestants began to feel sick, and some even attempted to crawl to the finish line due to the horrible weather conditions. The United Kingdom suffered from a severe cold snap, and it was -3 degrees Celsius weather (approximately 26 degrees Fahrenheit) at the time of filming.

A contestant told The Sun that some were carried out on stretchers by medics. They went so far as to describe the experience as a “warzone.”

Even if hypothermia kicked in then people were willing to stay for as long as possible because a lot of money was on the line. It was like a warzone. People were getting carried out by medics but we couldn’t say anything. If you talk then you’re out.

— Squid Game: The Challenge contestant via The Sun

Production partners Studio Lambert and the Garden, along with Netflix, disputed the claims, though. They reported together via CNN on Thursday.

We care deeply about the health and safety of our cast and crew, and invested in all the appropriate safety procedures. While it was very cold on set — and participants were prepared for that — any claims of serious injury are untrue.

— Netflix via CNN

Still, at least three contestants are being treated for “mild medical conditions.” Netflix claimed that no one suffered a serious injury, and medics were present on set at all times.

Squid Game: The Challenge is said to include ten episodes, but a release date has not been set at this time. Read more about the upcoming reality show below.