Netflix announces casting calls for reality TV show Squid Game: The Challenge

Netflix’s record-breaking Squid Game is no longer just a fictitious series.

Tapping on the success of its most popular series of all time, the streaming service announced casting calls for a game show Squid Game: The Challenge on Jun 15. The 10-episode series will see 456 participants in challenges for a US$4.56 million (S$6.35 million) cash prize.

Netflix claims that this will be both the largest cast and lump sum cash prize in reality TV history.  

The game show will mimic the original Squid Game, where participants are put through a series of games, with some thrilling additions. All participants will be left unscathed, with one’s “worst fate” will be missing out on the attractive cash prize.

Recruitment is now open to English-speaking contestants from all over the world.

Netflix vice president of unscripted and documentary series Brandon Riegg said that fans will be in for a “fascinating and unpredictable” journey, with plenty of tension and twists along the way. 

Directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, Squid Game remains Netflix’s most successful series, having racked up a staggering 1.65 billion view hours in 28 days following its premiere last Sep.

The show was renewed for a second season on Jun 12.