‘Squid Game’ Creator Voices Concerns With Netflix’s Real-Life Competition Spinoff

Last year, Netflix's "Squid Game" broke records as it quickly jumped to number one on the streaming platform's Top 10 lists in 94 countries. According to reports, at launch, "Squid Game" was viewed by over 111 million accounts, surpassing "Bridgerton" which had an audience of 82 million households within its first 28 days.

Thanks to the extreme success, Netflix is now working on a real-life competition spinoff, which actually has the show's original creator concerned.

The Netflix series, "Squid Game" stars Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun, HoYeon Jung as Kang Sae-byeok, Lee Yoo-Mi as Ji-yeong, Park Hae-soo as Cho Sang-Woo, and more. Netflix describes the series as:

"Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits — with deadly high stakes."

Due to the instant success of the series, Netflix has already confirmed a season two is in the works, along with a reality series titled “Squid Game: The Challenge,” based on the competition in “Squid Game”, which if you have seen the show, you know is murderous and not just "all fun and games".

But, many fans of the Korean show also pointed out how important the deadly competition was, to which show creator Hwang Dong-hyuk told Variety is a “fable about modern capitalist society,” into reality TV:

“I wanted to write a story that was an allegory or fable about modern capitalist society, something that depicts an extreme competition, somewhat like the extreme competition of life. But I wanted it to use the kind of characters we’ve all met in real life. As a survival game it is entertainment and human drama. The games portrayed are extremely simple and easy to understand. That allows viewers to focus on the characters, rather than being distracted by trying to interpret the rules.

In my earlier days, I’d drink half a bottle of soju (Korean liquor) to get the creative juices flowing. I can’t do that any more. Writing (‘Squid Game’) was harder than normal for me as it was a series, not a film. It took me six months to write and rewrite the first two episodes. Then I consulted verbally with friends, and picked up clues for improvements through my own pitching and from their responses.”

Now, with a new reality spin-off in the works, Hwang is telling “Squid Game” fans not to “take things too seriously" as he hopes “they will be carrying on my vision and intention as much as possible for the show.”

Last night at the Emmys, Hwang addressed the upcoming spinoff where “Squid Game” made history. “Squid Game” was nominated for 16 Emmys and won six, including Hwang taking home the Emmy for best directing for a drama series for the pilot episode, “Red Light, Green Light,” and "Squid Game" star Lee Jung-Jae who became the first Asian actor ever to win best actor in a drama.

“I think that even though our show does carry quite a heavy message — and I know that there are some concerns of taking that message and creating it into a reality show with a cash prize,” Hwang said backstage at the Emmys. “However, I feel like when you take things too seriously, that’s really not the best way to go for the entertainment industry. It doesn’t really set a great precedent.”

“I would say that reproductions of such efforts are going to bring new meaning to the industry, and I hope that this is going to be a great new direction for the industry overall," he added.

At this time, there is no set release date for “Squid Game: The Challenge" or season two of "Squid Game".