"Shivered in the Cold for 8 Hours"
2 Participants Violated Rules and Had Sexual Relations
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seung-woo] Contestants of the reality show that recreated the globally explosive hit Netflix drama 'Ojingeo Game' (Squid Game) are filing a lawsuit against the production company.
On the 4th (Korean time), the U.S. entertainment media Variety reported in an article titled "'Squid Game' Reality Show Environment Was Inhumane" that "participants of 'Squid Game: The Challenge' (hereafter 'The Challenge'), currently underway in the UK, are voicing numerous complaints."
'The Challenge' is a program where 456 participants from around the world compete for the highest-ever survival prize of 5.612 billion KRW (4.56 million USD), attracting significant attention. Filming began on January 23 at 'Cardington Studios,' a former air force base in Bedfordshire, eastern UK, with a scheduled duration of four weeks.
However, 'The Challenge' has been surrounded by controversy from the start due to various issues. According to the article, participants began activities with a 3:30 AM wake-up call. The organizers housed participants in designated hotels, prohibiting interaction with other participants as well as alcohol and smoking. During this process, two participants were caught violating rules by engaging in sexual relations and were subsequently expelled mid-competition.
Above all, what tormented the participants was the cold. Participants had to endure long hours in places without proper heating. An anonymous participant testified, "It was the coldest I have ever experienced in my life," adding, "Although it was said that the game and filming would take two hours, including waiting times, it exceeded eight hours. Several people collapsed from enduring the cold."
Additionally, participants claimed they were not allowed to use the restroom during the games and were not provided with sufficient food, stating, "We had to settle for cold hamburgers and salad for dinner at the accommodation. The organizers were extremely incompetent and inadequate."
On the 4th, the U.S. entertainment media Rolling Stone reported that "'The Challenge' participants are considering filing a lawsuit against production companies Studio Lambert and The Garden for workplace safety violations, negligence, and false excuses."
In response, Netflix, Studio Lambert, and The Garden immediately issued a statement denying the claims. The organizers stated, "We prioritize the health of the cast and crew and the quality of the show. The allegations that the game caused serious harm to participants are untrue," adding, "We have taken all appropriate safety precautions for the participants and are conducting the game fairly."
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