How were 'Squid Games: The Challenge' contestants selected? Here's how to take part in Netflix's competition series

'Squid Games: The Challenge' applicants are expected to submit an introduction video for the selection if they meet the stringent eligibility criteria
PUBLISHED NOV 22, 2023
'Squid Game: The Challenge' Season 1 will feature over 400 contestants vying for the prize money (Netflix Press Site/Squid Game The Challenge)
'Squid Game: The Challenge' Season 1 will feature over 400 contestants vying for the prize money (Netflix Press Site/Squid Game The Challenge)

BEDFORD, ENGLAND: Netflix's upcoming competition show, 'Squid Game: The Challenge', is set to release soon.

In the spin-off series of the hit South Korean show 'Squid Game', fans will see a total of 456 players competing against each other in a number of games to win a grand prize of $4.56 million.

The selection process of the players for Netflix's new reality series revolves around a couple of factors including age, employment details, and more.

Read further to learn more about how to apply to compete in the potential future seasons of 'Squid Game: The Challenge'.

A glimpse of the series 'Squid Game: The Challenge' (Instagram/ Squid Game Netflix)
'Squid Game: The Challenge' features 456 players competing for $4.56 million (@squidgamenetflix/Instagram)

What is the eligibility criteria to compete in future seasons of 'Squid Game: The Challenge'?

If you want to be one of the contestants in the upcoming season of 'Squid Game: The Challenge', then take a look at the following steps to find out if you are eligible to apply or not.

The casting call has three options, one for the UK casting, one for the US and the third one for Global casting.

Age: One has to be at least 21 years old or older when applying for 'Squid Game: The Challenge.'

Passport: An individual must have a valid passport for the entire period of filming.

Employment: The person applying should not be employed or engaged or have been previously employed by any company within the All3 Media Group and/or Netflix.

If you meet the requirements of the eligibility criteria, then you can register for the future season of Squid Game on the official website for its casting.

The candidates applying must upload a 1-minute introduction video explaining why they want to be on 'Squid Game: The Challenge'.

456 contestants will compete in 'Squid Game: The Challenge' (YouTube/Netflix)
456 contestants will compete in 'Squid Game: The Challenge' (@Netflix/YouTube)

'Squid Game: The Challenge' filming conditions raise concerns

In January 2023, contestants who participated in the game show talked about the inhumane conditions they experienced while on set of the Netflix's competition series produced by Studio Lambert.

Many players voiced their concerns regarding the filming conditions on the set while having a chat with The Sun.

Some players told the media outlet, “It was like a warzone. People left in tears.”

It was previously reported by the publication that an exhausted player was stretchered away, meanwhile others had to crawl to the finish. 

Another person said, “Even if hypothermia kicked in then people were willing to stay for as long as possible because a lot of money was on the line. Too many were determined not to move so they stood there for far too long. There were people arriving thinking they were going to be millionaires but they left in tears.”

'Squid Game: The Challenge' cash prize (Instagram/ Squid Games Netflix)
 Contestants have to be 21 years or older to apply for 'Squid Game: The Challenge' (@squidgamenetflix/Instagram)

What happened on set of 'Squid Game: The Challenge'?

Contestants were not paid for their participation. Moreover, they had been informed that the actual game would take about two hours to play and shoot. However, for some contenders, this turned into almost seven hours, per Variety. Moreover, before the game even started, the prep time itself was eight hours.

However, while filming during the unforgiving temperatures, some contestants reportedly collapsed. 

A British contestant named John stated that he “died” during the first challenge itself.

He said to Variety, “This is not a Bear Grylls survival show. If they had told us it was going to be that cold, no one would have gone through with it.”

Another player named Marlene chimed in and said, "It’s not like we signed up for ‘Survivor’ or ‘Naked and Afraid.' The conditions were absolutely inhumane and had nothing to do with the game.”

'Squid Game: The Challenge' was filmed in the United Kingdom (YouTube/Netflix)
'Squid Game: The Challenge' contestants spoke about the conditions they experienced while on set (@Netflix/YouTube)

'Squid Game: The Challenge' premieres on November 22, 2023, on Netflix at 3 am ET.

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