"No Squid Game Costumes Allowed"... US and European Schools on Alert Ahead of Halloween

Concerns That Students Might Imitate Violence from Dramas While in Costume

Participants dressed in Squid Game costumes at New York Comic Con 2021 [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] As the Netflix Korean original series 'Ojingeo Game' (Squid Game) gains worldwide popularity, schools in the United States and Europe have banned students from wearing 'Ojingeo Game' costumes ahead of Halloween. This is due to concerns that students might imitate inappropriate behaviors of characters from the drama after dressing up.

According to the British daily The Times on the 24th (local time), Castle Park Elementary School in Dublin, Ireland, has prohibited students from dressing up as characters from Ojingeo Game ahead of Halloween on the 31st.

The school stated that after reports of some students imitating games from the drama were received, concerns were raised during a parent-teacher meeting that students might mimic violent scenes from Ojingeo Game, leading to this measure.

A school official said, "Those who have seen Ojingeo Game know that the content is not suitable for young students," adding, "We are worried that students might watch this drama."

In an elementary school in Madrid, the capital of Spain, a notice was sent to parents asking them to guide their children not to imitate the games from Ojingeo Game for the same reason.

Three schools in New York State, USA, have also issued bans on Ojingeo Game costumes. Among them, Fayetteville-Manlius School explained in a letter to parents signed by the principal that the Ojingeo Game costume "does not comply with the school dress code" and cited "the potential violent message contained in the costume" as the reason.

Meanwhile, CNN also emphasized the violence in Ojingeo Game by quoting experts who say it negatively affects teenagers. On the same day, CNN reported, "'Ojingeo Game' does not shy away from murder and violence," and "doctors advise parents not to let their children watch (Ojingeo Game)."