Let's be honest. When we all binged Hwang Dong-hyuk’s dystopian masterpiece back in 2021, the last thing most of us thought was, "Hey, I'd love to actually do that." We saw the blood. We saw the debt. We saw the giant creepy doll turning people into Swiss cheese. Yet, here we are in 2026, still obsessed with the fact that Squid Game is real—sort of.
Netflix didn't just stop at a scripted show. They turned the concept into a massive, multi-million dollar reality competition called Squid Game: The Challenge. While nobody actually dies (thankfully), the stakes feel strangely high for the people involved. It’s a weird social experiment that blurs the line between fiction and reality, making us wonder if the "games" we play for money are really that different from the ones Seong Gi-hun faced.
The Brutal Reality of the Set
When people say Squid Game is real, they’re usually talking about the sheer scale of the production. Netflix spent a fortune recreating those iconic sets. The bunk beds? Exactly the same. The M.C. Escher-style staircases? They built them for real in a massive studio in the UK.
It wasn't a vacation for the 456 contestants. Far from it.
During the filming of "Red Light, Green Light" at Cardington Studios, temperatures dropped to near freezing. Contestants had to stand perfectly still for hours in the cold, waiting for the motion sensors to check their positions. Some players actually needed medical attention for fatigue and cold. It wasn't just a TV show anymore; it was an endurance test.
The psychological toll is where it gets interesting. Even without the threat of death, the $4.56 million prize—the largest in reality TV history—turns people into versions of themselves they didn't know existed. You see alliances form and crumble in minutes. You see people cry over a game of Marbles because, in that moment, the pressure makes them feel like their lives are on the line.
Why the World Obsessed Over the Real Life Version
The original show worked because it tapped into a universal fear of economic collapse. It resonated with anyone who has ever felt like a tiny cog in a giant, uncaring machine. When Netflix decided to make a version where Squid Game is real, they took a gamble. Would people find it distasteful?
Some critics definitely did. They argued that turning a show about the exploitation of the poor into a literal game show for entertainment was "missing the point."
But the viewers didn't care. Millions of people tuned in to watch. Why? Because we love to see how "normal" people handle extreme pressure. We like to imagine what we would do in that situation. Would you share your food? Or would you steal an extra ration to make sure you have the energy for the next round?
The reality version proved that the social dynamics of the scripted show weren't actually that far-fetched. People are competitive. People are desperate. And when you put a life-changing amount of money on the table, the "masks" we wear in polite society start to slip off pretty fast.
The Games That Messed With Everyone's Heads
You remember the Dalgona challenge. The umbrella. The sheer panic of trying to needle out a shape from a piece of honeycomb without it snapping.
In the real-life version, this was just as stressful. Imagine having four million dollars on the line and your entire fate rests on a piece of brittle sugar. Players were licking the back of the tins, sweating, and shaking. It’s a perfect metaphor for the "luck of the draw" that dictates so much of our actual lives.
Then there’s the Bridge. In the show, it was a death trap. In the reality competition, they used a sophisticated stunt rigging system. When a player stepped on a "trap door" tile, they fell through a trapdoor into a foam pit below. Even though they were safe, the scream of someone falling—and the immediate realization that their dream of winning was over—created a heavy atmosphere.
What the Contestants Said
Mai Whelan, the winner of the first season of The Challenge, talked openly about the mental exhaustion. She had to play a cutthroat game to win. She wasn't always the most "likable" character, but she was the most strategic.
- Trust is a currency. You can't win alone, but you can't trust everyone.
- The environment is designed to break you. Constant noise, bright lights, and minimal privacy.
- The money changes the vibe. It’s hard to stay friends when one of you is standing in the way of a check that solves every problem you have.
The Controversy Behind the Scenes
It hasn't all been fun and games. There were reports of "rigging" or at least "heavy-handed editing." Some contestants claimed that certain players were given working microphones while others weren't, or that the "death" squibs (the ink packs that explode when you're eliminated) didn't always go off fairly.
🔗 Read more: Lana Del Rey Beautiful: Why This Song Finally Solves the Sad Girl Narrative
Netflix and the production companies (Studio Lambert and The Garden) denied these claims, stating that everything was judged fairly by independent adjudicators. But the controversy only added to the feeling that Squid Game is real in all the messy, bureaucratic ways we hate.
It raises a big question: Can you ever truly recreate a "death game" without the death? The answer seems to be yes, as long as the prize money is high enough to simulate the same level of desperation.
How to Prepare If You Ever Get Called Up
There’s already talk of more seasons and even live "experiences" where fans can play the games in major cities like Los Angeles and London. If you're thinking about applying or just want to survive a high-stakes competition, here's what the real experts—the former players—suggest.
1. Work on your core strength.
Sounds boring, right? But "Red Light, Green Light" is 90% about holding a pose while your muscles scream at you. If you can't hold a squat for five minutes, you're out.
2. Stop being a hero.
The people who tried to lead the group usually got targeted first. The "middle of the pack" is the safest place to be until the very end.
3. Practice your "poker face."
In the Marbles game, or the "Circle of Trust" (a game added for the reality show), your face will betray you. If you can't lie to someone's face while looking them in the eye, you're toast.
4. Understand the math.
Many of the games are actually about probability. Know the odds. Don't just guess.
The Cultural Impact of the Real Games
We live in a world where the gap between the rich and the poor is wider than ever. That's why the idea that Squid Game is real hits so hard. We see people on our screens fighting for a chance at a better life, and it feels uncomfortably close to home.
The reality show has also sparked a wave of "immersion" entertainment. People don't just want to watch things anymore; they want to be in them. This has led to the rise of massive escape rooms and high-tech obstacle courses. But none of them have the weight of the Squid Game brand.
Honestly, the most terrifying part isn't the games themselves. It's how quickly we, as the audience, get used to watching people suffer for our entertainment. We've become the VIPs from the show, sitting in our comfortable chairs, watching the players struggle, and judging their every move.
What’s Next for the Franchise?
With Season 2 of the scripted show having recently hit screens, the hype is only growing. Netflix is doubling down on the "real" aspect. There are rumors of a mobile game that uses augmented reality, and more international versions of the reality show are likely in the works.
The fact that Squid Game is real isn't just a gimmick. It’s a reflection of our current culture—competitive, obsessed with wealth, and constantly looking for the next big thrill.
If you find yourself in a situation where you're offered a mysterious card with a circle, triangle, and square on it... maybe just think twice. Or, at the very least, start practicing your Dalgona carving skills.
Next Steps for Fans and Aspiring Players:
- Check the official Netflix casting site if you're brave enough to apply for future seasons.
- Visit "Squid Game: The Trials" in Los Angeles for a non-lethal, high-tech version of the games.
- Study the psychological tactics used by winners like Mai Whelan—the "silent but deadly" approach is statistically the most successful.
- Re-watch the original series with a focus on the background characters; the winners are rarely the ones who start out the loudest.