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The anticipation surrounding Squid Game: The Challenge was immense, reflected in the staggering number of applicants eager to participate in Netflix’s latest competition series.
South Korea’s Squid Game, a scripted thriller-drama, made waves upon its 2021 release, becoming a monumental hit for the streaming platform. With its second season currently in production, slated for a 2024 release, the success of Squid Game paved the way for Squid Game: The Challenge, a reality TV show offering a $4.56 million jackpot, pitting hundreds of contestants against each other.
Netflix reported an astounding 81,000 global applications to join the competition, from which 456 individuals were chosen to immerse themselves in the world of the infamous green tracksuits, identifying themselves by numbers instead of names. A breakdown revealed that the majority hailed from Western English-speaking countries, with over half being American and around 100 from the United Kingdom.
Moreover, participants came from various international locations such as Brazil, Singapore, Japan, South Africa, and The Philippines. The age distribution encompassed a range from the 20s (173 contestants) to the 70s (five individuals), with significant representation from participants in their 30s and 40s. The gender split consisted of 53.4% men, 46.4% women, and 0.2% identifying as non-binary.
Tayo, known as player No. 107 on Squid Game: The Challenge, shared his casting experience in a YouTube video, detailing the application process that began after he responded to an Instagram advertisement. His application, a short one-minute video expressing his desire to participate, led to callbacks, multiple interviews via phone and Zoom, eventually securing him a spot on the show.
Tayo explained that the entire casting process spanned approximately two to three months, expressing immense gratitude for being one of the chosen few out of the massive pool of 90,000 applicants.
The filming for Squid Game: The Challenge took place in January 2023 in England, with The Wharf Studios in London serving as the primary location. The initial challenge, “Red Light, Green Light,” was filmed at Cardington Studios, a towering structure in Bedford, just north of London.
The reality competition was condensed into a 16-day shoot, with its first five episodes premiering on Nov. 22, 2023, followed by the release of the subsequent four on Nov. 29. The thrilling finale is scheduled to begin streaming on Dec. 6.