Why I Absolutely Hate The New Squid Game: The Challenge

When your favorite Netflix obsession turns into a reality show nightmare

Nathan Chen
4 min readNov 22, 2023
Image by Studio Lambert and The Garden

Let’s get one thing straight: I loved “Squid Game.” I mean, who didn’t? The original series was like a wild ride through a dystopian carnival, filled with jaw-dropping twists, deeply human stories, and a healthy dose of social commentary that had us all thinking twice about our capitalist society. But then came “Squid Game: The Challenge,” and, well, let’s just say it’s like expecting a gourmet meal and getting served a reheated frozen dinner instead.

The Reality Show Twist: A Recipe for Disaster?

When I first heard about the reality show spin-off, “Squid Game: The Challenge,” my first reaction was, “Wait, what?” It’s like finding out your favorite novel is being turned into a movie, and they’ve cast someone totally wrong for the lead role. The charm of “Squid Game” was in its storytelling, its characters, and the unsettlingly beautiful way it portrayed the desperation of its players. Turning this into a reality show felt like a ‘what could possibly go wrong?’ moment.

And boy, did things go south.

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Nathan Chen

I'm Nathan Chen, a queer Asian writer advocating for LGBTQ+ issues, Asian representation, work life & mental health. Let's explore life's complexities together!