‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ Players Sue Netflix for ‘Inhumane’ Treatment

Demand for Compensation from Production Company

Participants of the reality show Squid Game: The Challenge, inspired by the Netflix series Squid Game, plan to sue the production company, alleging injuries sustained during filming. Neither Netflix nor the production company have released a statement on the matter.

Participants Suffered from Hypothermia

According to Hollywood Reporter and other U.S. entertainment media on the 23rd (local time), the British law firm Express Solicitors recently sent a compensation claim to Studio Lambert, the program producer, on behalf of two Squid Game: The Challenge participants.

The CEO of the law firm, Daniel Slade, issued a statement saying, “Participants suffered injuries such as hypothermia and nerve damage due to poor health and safety standards on the set,” and argued that “they went beyond the bounds of safety under the guise of entertainment.”

In an interview with the British press, he said, “The participants thought they were taking part in something fun and did not anticipate this kind of suffering. One of our clients described witnessing someone faint and hearing people calling for medical staff, while another client reported receiving ill-fitting clothing despite the cold weather.

The law firm stated that sending the claim is the first step, and they will initiate a lawsuit if necessary after collecting additional evidence. They also added that they are contacting other potential claimants who suffered harm.

However, neither Netflix nor Studio Lambert responded to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the program told one media outlet, “None of the participants have filed a lawsuit,” and “We take the welfare of the participants very seriously.”

In a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter, executive producer Steven Lambert responded to alleged injuries during filming. He said, ‘We offered the biggest prize money in TV competition history, and winning the $4.56 million prize is never easy. However, our show fared much better than countless unscripted survival shows or many other successful shows in the U.S. and worldwide.

“Inhumane”…Participants Voiced Complaints Earlier This Year

Last January, a UK studio filmed the program. At that time, foreign media reported that the production left participants in sub-zero temperatures for extended periods, causing numerous injuries.

A participant stated, “We endured torture in the cold for a full 8 hours,” and added, “Even animals wouldn’t face such treatment. I understand the show’s supposed toughness, but it felt inhumane.”

Another participant said, “The conditions were absolutely inhumane, and these conditions had nothing to do with the game.” There were also claims that participants were not allowed to use the restroom during filming and were not adequately provided with water and food.

Meanwhile, Netflix released the first five episodes of this reality show on the 22nd.

By. Heo Mi Dam