Real-Life ‘Squid Game’ Being Developed

A real-life Squid Game is being developed in Abu Dhabi, according to the Korean Cultural Center in the United Arab Emirates. The game will have none of the show’s violence while incorporating four of the six games featured in the hit show.

Netflix‘s Squid Game skyrocketed into fame in a matter of weeks after being released in mid-September. The show is currently ranked no. 1 as the streaming platform’s most-watched show in several countries including the United States. The premise of the show revolves around a group of people with severe financial struggles who are duped into participating in life-threatening games, with the winner taking home a prize of $38m.

The real-life games will not have any prize money. Winners will instead win one of the trademark jumpsuits that participants in the show wear. Games that will be featured in the show include “Marbles” and “Ddakji” (paper-flipping).

The event starts on Oct. 12 and will occur in two sessions, according to the center’s event page. Two teams of 15 people will compete against one another in two-hour tournament-style sessions.

Photo courtesy of Netflix. Still from the hit show ‘Squid Game.’

Nam Chan-woo, the center’s director, also said that players will don the same logos that are seen in the show and staff will bear the pink circle, triangle and square costumes the guards wear in the show. He spoke about the games’ cultural importance to local media outlet Khaleej Times.

“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,” said Nam.

Those who wish to participate in the UAE’s version must fill out a form with three questions testing the person’s basic knowledge of the show. Applicants do not have to go through rounds of slaps in order to qualify.