I remember watching Squid game when it came out on Netflix in 2021. I was never into K-dramas hence I didn't bother watching it even though it had been trending on the number 1 spot on netflix for about a week. When I saw an article describing the series as somewhat similar to the Hunger games, I was immediately convinced to watch it as I am an avid fan of the hunger games series. I was drawn in from episode 1 watching all the episodes back to back without breaks. It truly exceeded my expectations, and dare i say, I found it better than the hunger games. I eagerly waited for season 2 hoping that it'd come out in 2022 instead, Netflix announces a reality game show version of Squid game. I was very disinterested in such an idea because i always felt that what created the adrenaline rush with squid game and other similar shows were the stakes, (Life or death) so I felt that a reality show simply for prize money would not be able to recreate the same effects squid game had on viewers. I wondered who had come up with such a 'terrible' idea of a reality show as I personally felt that it would have been wiser to release a season two of the original series as quickly as possible to feed off on the great hype brought on by season one.
Alas, Squid Game; The challenge is now streaming on Netflix and I very reluctantly watched the first episode not expecting much but my expectations were exponentially exceeded. I found myself having palpitations several times during episode 1. It starts off by showing some of the contestants waiting at different pickup points to be taken to the 'venue'. I was immediately impressed by the production and costumes. Everything was identical to the original Squid Games. Subsequently, we start to see monologues of different contestants as they all present to the arena for the first game (Red Light, Green Light), starting with Starla (318), a middle aged black woman with a lot of drive and motivation. We then meet contestant 432 (Bryton), whose confidence in himself is unmatched for lack of a better word. A couple of other contestants are introduced at this point including a very heart warming mother and Son duo, 2 best friends, an enigmatic young girl called Jada and some others. It becomes quite evident from the beginning of the game why some of this contestants have been introduced quite early as some of them are eliminated from the very beginning of the game and some go on to give very impressive performances proving that its not a game for the strongest, fastest, smartest or calmest but simply a combination of all this factors with a sprinkle of luck. The total number of contestants is almost halved after the red light, green light games and the rest return to the lodge where the mind games, forming of alliances and sneakiness begins. Shortly after, its time for the next game,' Dalgona' which is supposed to be predictable since we've all watched Squid game, right? Not really. The producers come up with an unexpected twist which leads to a shocking row of eliminations that provokes further aggressiveness and manipulation among the contestants. I was on the edge of my seat the whole episode not knowing what to expect.
After watching the first episode, I began to wonder why I underestimated the power of dollar bills. I thought the life/death stake was what made Squid games so intense, but I'm realising that it only upped the stakes further making it more dreadful. Money in itself is quite a solid incentive to make people act out of/true to their character and Squid game; The challenge proves this.
In short, If you loved Squid Game, you'll be obsessed with Squid Game;The challenge
Image from i.ibb.co
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