Movies

‘Squid Game’ reality show sees doctors called for frozen gamers

January 25, 2023

A small number of participants in the reality show ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ needed medical attention on Monday after a sprawling game of ‘Red Light Green Light’ played during the ongoing cold snap in Britain turned out to be a shock to the system.

Fewer than five players reportedly needed doctors on set for new Netflix show. While one contestant reportedly injured his shoulder after accidentally hitting a wall, others were treated for minor ailments.

The players were among 456 participants in “Red Light Green Light”, also known as “Statues” depending on where you grew up. In the game, you have to cross a finish line while remaining completely still when an “it” person turns around to watch the players. If it turns out that you move, you are eliminated. The game was a centerpiece of “Squid Game”, where a giant killer doll turned its head and fired shots to eliminate moving players. It was the first play on drama, and particularly effective because unsuspecting players had no idea they would be killed if they lost the game.

The unscripted game show, which was first announced by Bela Bajaria in June 2022, is based on the streamer’s hit 2021 Korean drama. Filmed at two studios in the UK, producers Studio Lambert and The Garden selected 456 contestants from around the world to complete various challenges based on the Korean children’s games featured on the show, as well as new games. The winner receives a cash prize of $4.56m (£3.7m).

Netflix however had the misfortune to start production during a rare cold spell in the UK.

On Monday, which was the show’s first day of production at Cardington Studios in Bedford, north London, temperatures hit a low of zero degrees Celsius. Although the game was filmed in the old aircraft hangar, which is enclosed, the gigantic space was likely to be extremely cold given the temperatures outside. While the players – many of whom are unaccustomed to British weather, or the realities of TV production – would have been given hand warmers and thermal underwear for their day of filming, there is no doubt that the cold would have made the task even more difficult. .

British tabloid The Sun, which broke the news first, spoke to players who had been eliminated from the show. “Some people couldn’t move their feet because it was so cold,” the source told The Sun. “You could hear someone shouting ‘doctor’ and the crew was rushing. We ended up standing there for 30 minutes between takes.

In a statement shared with The variety, a Netflix spokesperson said, “We care deeply about the health and safety of our cast and crew, and have invested in all appropriate safety procedures. Even though it was bitterly cold on set – and the contestants were prepared for it – any claims of serious injury are false.

It’s unlikely the producers could have changed the show’s production schedule, especially given the large number of contestants involved. “Red Light Green Light” is also an essential game in the schedule to streamline competitors: The variety understands that only 228 competitors clear the first hurdle and continue through the rest of the game, meaning Monday’s stunt would have been a key day for production.