The Number on the 'Ojingeo Game' Business Card... "Calls Day and Night, Making Daily Life Difficult"

Netflix states "Aware of the issue... Working with the number owner to resolve it"

A scene from Netflix's "Squid Game" where the controversy over the exposure of a personal number has arisen. / Photo by Netflix capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Since its release on the 17th, the Netflix original series "Ojingeo Game" (Squid Game) has gained tremendous popularity but has become embroiled in controversy over the exposure of a personal phone number.

According to a report by Money Today on the 23rd, Mr. A claimed that his mobile phone number, which he had used for over 10 years, was leaked in "Ojingeo Game," causing him so much distress that daily life became difficult.

Mr. A's phone number appears in episode 1 of "Ojingeo Game." Actor Gong Yoo hands the protagonist Lee Jung-jae (playing Seong Gi-hun) an invitation card in the form of a business card, encouraging him to participate in a survival game. The card displays an 8-digit number excluding the 010 prefix, which matched Mr. A's mobile phone number.

He said that after the scene was released, he received over 4,000 calls, lamenting, "The calls come day and night, and my phone battery drains in half a day."

He added, "At first, I didn't understand why, but then acquaintances told me, 'Your number appears in Ojingeo Game,' so I realized it. I have been trying to contact Netflix and the production company Siren Pictures continuously, but I have not been able to get through, so I haven't even been able to file a complaint," he expressed.

In fact, some internet communities posted reviews saying, "I tried calling the phone number shown in Ojingeo Game."

Regarding this, Netflix acknowledged the issue on the same day and stated that they are working to resolve it. Netflix said, "We are making efforts to resolve the issue amicably with the owner of the number," but also clarified, "The victim's claim that they could not even file a complaint because they could not get in touch is not true."