Squid Game: The Challenge Sparks Controversy Among Viewers

The much-anticipated reality TV adaptation of the popular K-drama Squid Game finally premiered on November 22, featuring the same premise as the original Korean drama. Titled Squid Game: The Challenge, the show features 456 contestants competing for a prize of $4.56 million. However, the fan reactions have been overwhelmingly negative, prompting producer Stephen Lambert to issue a statement.

What did the fans say about Squid Game: The Challenge?

The adaptation faced a dim outlook from the moment its initial trailer was released. It failed to impress and garnered extensive criticism from fans. Here's the complete lowdown on the situation.

Netflix Players in Squid Game: The Challenge

The primary complaint from the majority of fans was that they never asked for a game show in the first place. Fans are eager for a season 2 of the original show. They criticized how the time and resources that went into creating Squid Game: The Challenge could have been used for season 2 instead.

The games themselves drew significant criticism, with viewers disappointed in Netflix's decision to create a game that critiqued capitalism and the way it pushes people to make extreme choices. One former Twitter user wrote, "How can you be so oblivious to the entire message of the show that was on your platform? Did you even watch it?"

Another person expressed dissatisfaction with the creator of Squid Game not being paid enough while Netflix profits from it, completely missing the show's message. They questioned how anyone could still look forward to watching it. The backlash continued to grow when contestants came forward with complaints of mistreatment on set. The criticism became so intense that the executive producer, Stephen Lambert, had to address it. He emphasized that the capitalist critique was just one aspect of Squid Game.

He explained that the show also explores how people respond under pressure and critiques the ultra-competitive nature ingrained in us from childhood games. It focuses on how people react when presented with opportunities, offering a different perspective.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about Squid Game: The Challenge. On the one hand, I understand why fans of the original K-drama are disappointed. The reality TV adaptation does seem to miss the point of the original show, which was a critique of capitalism and the way it pushes people to make extreme choices.

On the other hand, I think it's important to remember that Squid Game: The Challenge is a different show than the original K-drama. It's a game show, and it's meant to be entertaining. I think it's unfair to compare the two shows directly.

That said, I do think that Netflix could have done a better job of managing fan expectations. The trailer for Squid Game: The Challenge made it seem like the show would be a more faithful adaptation of the original K-drama. However, the reality is that the show is a lot more different from the original than fans were expecting.

I think that Netflix should have been more upfront about the differences between the two shows. If they had done that, I think that fans would have been less disappointed.

Overall, I think that Squid Game: The Challenge is a fun and entertaining show. However, I do think that it could have been better. I think that Netflix could have done a better job of managing fan expectations, and I think that the show could have been more faithful to the original K-drama.