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Movies & TV

26th Jan 2023

Netflix defends Squid Game reality show as three people receive medical treatment

Stephen Porzio

squid game

There have been reports of freezing temperatures on set.

Netflix has defended the conditions on the set of its Squid Game reality series.

Based on the streaming service’s hit South Korean show, Squid Game: The Challenge will see 456 real players enter a non-deadly version of the series’ contest in pursuit of a life-changing cash prize of $4.56 million.

Filming on the reality programme has commenced at Cardington Studios near Bedford in the UK, with the project being produced by Studio Lambert and The Garden.

The Sun reported earlier this week that contestants wound up spending hours in temperatures of -3C and were required to remain completely motionless to win the series’ first game – Red Light, Green Light.

The outlet stated that some players suffered what felt like frostbite and that at least one contestant was stretchered off.

In a statement, Netflix – along with Studio Lambert and The Garden – said that three people were treated for “mild medical conditions” during filming on the reality show but added that “claims of serious injury are untrue”.

“We care deeply about the health and safety of our cast and crew, and invested in all the appropriate safety procedures,” the statement reads.

“While it was very cold on set – and participants were prepared for that – any claims of serious injury are untrue.”

Meanwhile, Netflix has already announced a second season of the hit South Korean survival drama series.

The sophomore batch of episodes is expected to premiere in late 2023 or early 2024.

Squid Game’s first season told the story of a group of cash-strapped people who accept a strange invitation to compete in what’s revealed to be killer children’s games for a massive prize.

Having premiered in September 2021 with little buzz before its release, it went on to become Netflix’s most-watched series.

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