The filming for a reality show based on Netflix's Squid Game began recently, but unfortunately for the participants, the filming conditions were much more difficult than they were told. Variety spoke with some contestants for the show, whose names have been altered to protect their identities. The first round, filmed near Bedford, U.K., saw a cold snap that the producers did not account for. Contestants claim the conditions were "inhumane" as they had to participate outside in subzero temperatures.
While the reality show obviously wasn't intended to be cruel or brutal, unlike the fictional Squid Game in which many of the characters perished, many of the contestants still had a horrible experience, and some even needed medical attention.
Netflix previously denied these claims, but several contestants have come forward to say that filming conditions were much worse than the streaming giant says. For example, one contestant, referred to as Marlene, noted that during the round of "Red Light Green Light," several of the contestants passed out:
“The second time the song played, I saw in my left peripheral vision that this girl was swaying. Then she just buckled, and you could hear her head actually hit the ground. But then someone came on the [microphone] and said to hold our positions because the game is not paused. After that, people were dropping like flies."
Will Netflix Face Consequences?
Despite all these complaints, it appears that Netflix will go through with filming and will not compensate any contestants for their miserable experience with the show. Contestants weren't paid to be a part of the production, except for a single winner out of the 456 players, who will get a $4.56 million cash prize. The first round eliminated half of those contestants, so there are still over 200 people who might have to endure worse conditions, depending on future games and how the studio deals with them.
Another contestant, referred to as Jenny, says that the inclement weather should have been accounted for, but producers went ahead anyway:
“I’ve never been that cold for that long a period in my life. We couldn’t feel our feet or our toes. It was ridiculous. Take some responsibility for the fact that you were ill-prepared for this kind of thing, with this number of people. There were some things I guess [the producers] didn’t think about, but when they saw the weather was going to be that way, they should have made adjustments... I’m infuriated by the narrative that Netflix is putting out there, that only [a few] people were injured… we were all injured just by going through that experience."
It's unfortunate irony, as the original, fictional Squid Game show criticizes the nature of reality game shows where destitute players must fight for a chance to get out of poverty and debt.
Other series of Squid Game: The Challenge are being filmed elsewhere, but no reports of inhumane conditions have yet been reported from those locations. Contestants must sign non-disclosure agreements and are forbidden from taking phones or cameras to the filming locations.