The "Squid Game" reality show, titled Squid Game: The Challenge , is a British reality competition series inspired by the South Korean drama Squid Game. It features 456 players competing in games based on the original series for a grand prize of $4.56 million, which is one of the largest cash prizes in reality TV history

. Key details about the show:

• The show replicates the set design, costumes, and many of the children's games from the original Squid Game drama, but without the deadly consequences; eliminations are symbolized by ink packs on clothing rather than actual harm

• Filming took place in the UK, primarily at Cardington Studios in Bedford and sound stages in London

• Contestants come from various backgrounds, mostly men in their 20s, with the largest group from the United States

• The show has been very popular on Netflix, topping the English-language show charts and accumulating over 224 million hours watched in its first 21 days

• Despite being a competition show, there have been controversies regarding the fairness of the games and the harsh conditions during filming, including reports of injuries and cold temperatures during challenges like "Red Light, Green Light." Some contestants have even threatened legal action against Netflix over these conditions

• The reality show differs from the original series in tone; while the original was a dark social commentary on capitalism and desperation, the reality show is more of a competitive game show with real contestants, though some critics note an ironic echo of the original’s themes in how contestants are treated

The first season was released in late 2023, and Netflix has already ordered a second season due to its success

. Casting for season two has closed, but future interest can still be expressed

. In summary, Squid Game: The Challenge is a large-scale reality competition inspired by the fictional series, offering a high-stakes prize through children's games, but has faced scrutiny over production conditions and game fairness. It remains a notable example of adapting a popular drama into a reality show format