“Squid Game: The Challenge” accused of mistreating players: Contestants suffer hypothermia and nerve damage
“Squid Game: The Challenge” producers spoke out about allegations surrounding the show
At the end of November, “Squid Game: The Challenge“, a reality show borrowing the format from the Korean blockbuster “Squid Game”, aired, attracting significant attention from viewers. Netizens were curious whether the rules of this special “remake” would be as stringent as the original television series.
Shortly after its airing, “Squid Game: The Challenge” faced legal action. Express Solicitors, a law firm representing two anonymous players, stated that their clients faced health issues during the filming of this reality show. Specifically, they experienced hypothermia and nerve damage while participating in the outdoor Red Light, Green Light game in the freezing temperature of -3°C.
Daniel Slade, the representative of the law firm Express Solicitors, stated, “We have sent letters of claim on behalf of contestants injured in this show. Production companies need to ensure that health and safety standards on their shows don’t leave people at risk of harm.”
He told The Sun, “Contestants thought they were taking part in something fun and those injured did not expect to suffer as they did. Now they have been left with injuries after spending time being stuck in painful stress positions in cold temperatures. One client describes seeing someone faint, then people shouting for medics. We have a case where someone complains of hypothermia. One had his hands turn purple from the cold. Such injuries can have very serious long-term health implications.”
Although no formal lawsuit has been filed, letters of claim have been sent to co-producer Studio Lambert seeking financial compensation. In the UK, a letter of claim is sent before formal legal action is taken, notifying relevant parties that court proceedings may soon commence.
Since January, when filming began, “Squid Game: The Challenge” has faced a series of accusations related to this issue. However, at that time, Netflix and Studio Lambert affirmed to Entertainment Weekly, “We care deeply about the health and safety of our cast and crew. While it was very cold on set — and participants were prepared for that — any claims of serious injury are untrue.“
Executive producer Stephen Lambert also addressed the issue of player welfare with BBC News in late November, “Everybody was warned that it was going to be cold, we took all the necessary steps to prepare them for that. A few anonymous people were unhappy about the fact they had been eliminated. When you’re giving away a huge prize it is always going to be clear to us it was going to be a tough show to take part in.”
Source: K14, Entertainment Weekly
