Two years ago, Squid Game became a global “bombshell” as it surged to popularity. The number of viewers following the cast on social media skyrocketed. The games featured in the show have also become a trend. The allure of this South Korean series continues to resonate today with the release of the reality show Squid Game: The Challenge.
With the title Squid Game: The Challenge, the show is currently garnering significant interest from audiences. Although “inspired by” the Squid Game series, the first five episodes of this reality show still have many differences compared to the original drama.
The prize is lower at 8 times, but the stakes remain high
The 456 “contestants” of Squid Game: The Challenge compete for a prize of $4.56 million (more than 110 billion VND). Although this amount is less than the drama series (45.6 billion won, equivalent to about 900 billion VND), it still represents a significant reward in a reality show context. Besides those who have experienced the program, many participants share that they are living in poverty and struggling to make ends meet. The 110 billion VND prize also helps contestants overcome their difficulties.
Every contestant who is eliminated will receive $10,000 (more than 242 million VND) as compensation.
No one is harmed in Squid Game: The Challenge
Of course, this reality show is executed in a much more humane manner. The supervisors do not carry guns as they do in the show. Contestants also do not have to risk their lives for the game. Eliminated participants are simply dropped out of the game, lying on the ground as if they were truly eliminated, or they are just gently escorted out. Nevertheless, participants still feel quite shocked when they realize that “a wrong move could cost them $110,000,” making them constantly vigilant.
Contestants who make a mistake are only eliminated gently, in a more humane manner compared to the film.
The tug-of-war is no longer a “life-or-death” game in Squid Game
In episode 1 of Squid Game, “King of the Room” Lee Jung Jae plays Ki Hoon – a man burdened with debts, caught in a desperate situation. Unexpectedly, Ki Hoon encounters a man in a suit (Gong Yoo) and takes on a challenge to play… a game of paper. Each time Ki Hoon wins, this man gives him 100,000 won (nearly 2 million VND). However, if he loses, Ki Hoon will be eliminated. After several fortunate rounds, this man gives Ki Hoon some money, encouraging him to participate in Squid Game – a deadly game with a prize of 45.6 billion won.
The game of paper in Squid Game opens up the journey for Ki Hoon.
However, in Squid Game: The Challenge, the paper game appears only in episode 4 and plays a less significant role. Two players in “ganbu” (a type of player – PV) must use paper to discover two potential paper shapes. Depending on whether they win or lose, they must eat a cake or get eliminated, creating tension for both players as the one who wins receives chocolate as a prize.
In the reality show, the winning contestant receives chocolate, while the loser does not have to face any harsh consequences.
Contestants still vote but with different objectives than the show
After the night falls, the green light appears as it does in the drama series, but the supervisors have organized a voting session for the players to see if they want to continue the game or not. Even in the reality show, this voting session is still held, but with different objectives. According to the rules of Squid Game: The Challenge, players must vote to eliminate other players. The three players who receive the most votes will be eliminated immediately.
Contestants vote to eliminate other players.
The tug-of-war features new rules
In Squid Game, there are four shapes represented: triangle, circle, star, and square. Contestants must choose one of the four shapes. After that, they will be given a box containing a shape that they must run with. Players participating in Squid Game: The Challenge have learned that the most challenging shape is the square. This is also the reason why the producers of the reality show introduced new rules for this game.
Initially, the supervisors divided the contestants into four groups. The four contestants must step into the designated rooms shaped like their selected shape: circle, triangle, star, or square. Naturally, if the contestant does not choose the square, they will be eliminated by the remaining three contestants. There are only two minutes to coordinate, and if they cannot decide promptly, all four will be eliminated and the four contestants will be switched out. This process will be repeated until only one team remains.
The new rules make the tug-of-war even more thrilling.
A contestant receiving many votes is at a disadvantage during the shape selection.
