[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] As Netflix's popular Korean drama "Squid Game" creates a global sensation, schools in the United States and Europe have issued bans on students dressing up in imitation ahead of Halloween.
With green tracksuits and other costumes from the drama selling like hotcakes and signs of a "Halloween pandemic" emerging, schools in various countries have imposed regulations out of concern that students might imitate "inappropriate behavior" while wearing such outfits.
According to the British daily The Times on the 25th, Castle Park Elementary School in Dublin, Ireland, has banned students from dressing up as characters from Squid Game ahead of Halloween on October 31.
At this school, reports had been received that some students were imitating games from the drama on the playground, which led to concerns being raised about the violent scenes in Squid Game during a parent-teacher meeting held afterward.
A school official said, "Those who have seen Squid Game will know that this content is absolutely unsuitable for young students," adding, "We are worried that students might watch this drama."
Schools in Spain have also implemented dress code regulations.
An elementary school in the capital, Madrid, sent a notice urging parents to guide their children after confirming that students were imitating games or behaviors from Squid Game.
The notice prohibited viewing of the drama for students under 16 due to its violent content and requested parents to supervise their children.
Additionally, to prevent the spread of influence among students, costumes inspired by Squid Game will not be allowed for the upcoming Halloween.
In New York State, three schools have issued bans.
One of them, Fayetteville-Manlius School, sent a letter to parents this week under the principal's name explaining that Squid Game costumes "do not comply with the school dress code," citing "potential violent messages associated with the costumes" as the reason.
The school stated, "Attire must comply with school regulations, and items that could be interpreted as weapons such as toy knives, guns, or lightsabers are not allowed on campus," adding, "Overly frightening costumes are also prohibited."
Parents generally support the school's stance.
Squid Game is a drama depicting a brutal survival game where losers lose their lives and only the winner takes home a huge prize of 45.6 billion won, ranking number one among Netflix TV series worldwide and gaining immense popularity.
Due to violent and provocative scenes, it is rated for viewers aged 18 and over in South Korea.
However, because of the nature of video streaming on TV, computers, and smartphones, minors can easily access it unless parents set viewing restrictions.
For this reason, the drama is paying the price for its global fame.
Previously, schools in major countries have warned that children imitating games like "Mugunghwa Kkotchi Pieot Seumnida" (a Korean version of "Red Light, Green Light") as depicted in the drama could be exposed to violence.
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