The Netflix series Squid Game showcases a series of deadly competitions based on traditional children’s games. While the show’s portrayal is fictional and dramatized, the games themselves are rooted in real-life activities.
Traditional Children’s Games Featured in ‘Squid Game’
Several games depicted in the series are inspired by actual children’s games played in Korea:
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Red Light, Green Light: A game where players move towards a finish line during “green light” and must freeze during “red light.”
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Dalgona Candy Challenge: Participants attempt to carve out specific shapes from a brittle sugar candy without breaking it.
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Tug-of-War: Two teams pull on opposite ends of a rope, aiming to drag the other team across a central line.
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Marbles Game: Players use various strategies to win their opponent’s marbles.
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Glass Bridge: While not a traditional game, it is a dramatized version of choosing safe paths, akin to certain playground activities.
Real-Life Adaptations of ‘Squid Game’
The immense popularity of Squid Game has led to various real-life adaptations and events:
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MrBeast’s $456,000 Squid Game Recreation: YouTuber MrBeast recreated the games with 456 participants, offering a grand prize of $456,000. This adaptation maintained the competitive nature without any harm to participants.
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‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ Reality Series: Netflix announced a reality competition series where 456 players compete for a cash prize, with challenges based on those in the show. Unlike the original series, the stakes are not deadly.
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‘Squid Game: Unleashed’ Mobile Game: Netflix released a mobile game allowing players to experience versions of the games in a virtual setting.
Conclusion
While the deadly stakes in Squid Game are fictional, the games themselves are based on real children’s activities. Various adaptations have emerged, allowing fans to engage with these games in safe and controlled environments.
