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Article Highlights:

  • Squid Game is Netflix’s most-watched series ever.
  • St. John’s Hotel in Gangneung, South Korea will hold a real-life competition.
  • Abu Dhabi hosted a version of the show’s games on Oct. 12.
Netflix 'Squid Game' poster with players in green track suits in front of giant robotic doll.
Netflix ‘Squid Game’ poster with main characters | via Netflix

It’s official — Netflix’s Squid Game is the “biggest-ever series at launch,” according to CNN. The fictional South Korean drama centers around money-hungry contestants who get the chance to win big earnings by playing a series of children’s games. If eliminated, they are killed.

CNN reported that 111 million Netflix accounts have viewed the Korean dystopian series since its Sept. 17 premiere. Squid Game remains in the top spot and maintains the top 10 lists around the globe. It has far surpassed some of the streaming platform’s biggest hits. The outlet stated that Bridgerton only amassed 82 million viewers to put things into context. Now, some are trying to cash in on the show’s popularity by hosting their murder-free version of the games.

South Korea to host ‘Squid Game’ competition for prize money

It was a matter of time before real-life Squid Games would come into play. According to The Korea Times, St. John’s Hotel in Gangneung will be hosting a series of games — sans murder and mayhem. Only guests (all ages) of the hotel are allowed to join for the fee of 10,000 won ($8.39). As of now, all slots are reserved.

The game will begin with everyone getting a business card with a phone number, as shown in the show and the events will occur in a forest near the hotel with four games and prize winnings of 5 million won ($4,178). Games include “the Mugungwha flower has bloomed” (“Red Light, Green Light),” tug of war, “ttakji chigi” (paper tile flipping), and the “dalgona (flat sugar candy) challenge.”

The Times also reported the host’s identity will be concealed until the end. Another critical but obvious note: eliminated contestants also will not be killed, as shown in the series.

Abu Dhabi hosted its version of the Netflix series

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On Tues. Oct. 12, The Korean Cultural Center in the United Arab Emirates Capital hosted its version of the show’s events. This event consisted of two teams of 15 contestants, each participating in two separate two-hour sessions at the Center’s Abu Dhabi location.

The event will showcase four of the six games shown in Squid Game including, “Red Light Green Light,” “Marbles,” “Ddakji,” and “Dalgona Candy.” Like the hotel mentioned above, eliminated players didn’t have the same sinister consequences shown in the Hwang Dong-hyuk Korean drama.

“The games seem a bit brutal in the series to maximize the dramatic element. However, all the games in the show are popular ones by Korean children from past to present,” Director of the KKC Nam Chan-woo told the Khaleej Times.

Nam noted that the childhood games on the show were also featured in Tuesday’s lineup. There will be another Squid Games event in Wonju, Gangwon Province, to compete for 45,600 points for Frit, an online platform.

You can Stream Squid Game on Netflix now.

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