Netflix brought Squid Game to life in downtown LA in a funny and eerie new video. The hit Korean series took the world by storm upon its release on September 17. Characterized by its deadly spin on traditional children's games, the show has proven a popular point of inspiration for those celebrating Halloween in 2021. Already, retailers have revealed a massive sales increase as a result of the show. Vans reported a whopping 7800% rise in the purchase of white slip-ons, while boohooMAN declared a 170% spike in searches for red jumpsuits.
As Squid Game steadily feeds into global pop culture, it has, predictably, led to some fans attempting to recreate the dramatized children's games represented in the show. The series, helmed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, depicts an assortment of fun childhood classics, particularly familiar to Korean audiences. Ranging from internationally familiar contests like Tug of War and Red, Light, Green Light, the show also includes a number of more obscure games like its titular namesake Squid Game and Dalgona Candy, in which players must carve shapes out of honeycomb. Each of these otherwise innocent games were turned nefarious in the series, as the contestants competed for their lives and the promise of a huge cash prize. Fear that fans could take their attempts at recreation too far has already led to a New York school district banning Squid Game inspired costumes.
Now, it seems Netflix has helped bring Squid Game to life with a “Halloween surprise” in LA. In a video shared to the streamer’s Twitter page, fans and Koreatown locals were invited to play a number of the games depicted in the show, including Ddakji and Red Light, Green Light. Managed by several individuals in red jumpsuits, participants appear suitably thrilled by the opportunity to take part without any deadly risk. Check out the video below:
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Squid Game’s success quickly became apparent to the platform, becoming its most popular show and smashing the 2021 viewership record with over 3 billion minutes streamed in its second week. As hoped by Hwang, the series has resonated with viewers on an international scale. The director’s insistence on creating relatable characters, some of whom were based upon his own experiences, and placing them within a flawed capitalist society, ensured that audiences would empathize with the show.
Though no one could have predicted the sheer scale of Squid Game’s success, its impact on pop culture will likely be made very clear this Halloween. With fans of all ages preparing to adorn their respective red and green costumes, this latest event by Netflix doubtlessly feeds the appetites of those hoping for more content from the show. While Hwang is in no hurry to film Squid Game season 2, its possibility remains open-ended and viewers are bold in their interest. As October 31 looms, support for the show is at its most visible and though Netflix may have brought Squid Game to life on a local scale, the series provides the perfect inspiration for Halloween-style party games.
Source: Netflix