I had no hope for Squid Game: The Challenge season 2 – then I became addicted

When the original concept of Squid Game: The Challenge was first announced, it instantly made me wince.

Based on the hit South Korean dystopian drama, the reality series sees 456 real players from around the world enter the competition show in pursuit of a record-setting cash prize of $4.56 million (£3.6m).

Instead of the players being brutally killed off one by one, contestants play the same Korean children’s games as in the Netflix series and are booted off the show when fake blood capsules explode on their chest.

To me, it seemed like Netflix had woefully misunderstood the whole point of its drama series, which criticised modern capitalism and shined a light on the inequality and unemployment that still exists in Korea today, by creating a clunky, gimmicky ‘reality’ relative.

The first season certainly surprised me and provided great entertainment value, but ahead of the release of its second season today, clearly, I didn’t have high hopes.

However, after being plunged right into the action in episode one, the daring social experiment showed a different side to itself as it once again hooked me in, line and sinker.

Squid Game (the drama) has rightly been praised for its daringly brutal portrayal of the dehumanising impact of poverty and financial desperation.

From the outside, any type of spin-off seemed like a cruel joke on people who are desperate for money.

But, upon watching the latest season of Squid Game: The Challenge, it dawned on me that there are very few shows that are willing to showcase the darker side of human nature when it comes to financial gain.

Immediately, episode one introduces the storyline of twin brothers Raul (Player 431) and Jacob (Player 432) who endured a terrifying near-death experience together when Raul suffered a seizure in 2022.

But straight after learning their heartbreaking backstory, the pair are split as the captains of two different teams for the 456 players in a game where one player has to correctly count the time in their head.

Whoever loses is kicked out of the competition, for good.

The thrilling start continues, episode after episode, as the players re-create the games featured in the latest season of the drama in stunningly designed sets.

The relay race of childhood games is a particular highlight, as numerous people could be seen dripping with sweat as they attempted to steady their shaking hands to build a stack of cards on top of each other.

At times, like in the drama series, the episodes can tend to feel slow towards the middle as each storyline is explored.

The action is then concentrated right at the end of an episode, which forces you to watch on.

But the central message of this series captures what we as humans do to other humans when money is involved, which is the same concept behind the drama series, just without actual murder.

This was perhaps captured best by Player 415’s outrageous lie that his girlfriend was pregnant so that he could gain sympathy in his bid to win the prize.

For all the fear and trepidation I had when I first heard the concept of this show, it has taken me until now to realise its intriguing message.

People can be as equally awful and kind when it comes to winning a life-changing amount of money.

So although Squid Game: The Challenge does make me queasy and uncomfortable – just like the drama does – that in itself is a powerful thing, and it deserves to be seen.

Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2 airs on November 4 on Netflix.

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