Regardless of whether you spend hours on Netflix or not (we&rsquore guilty of the former), chances are you&rsquove heard of Squid Games, which has beaten Bridgerton to become the most watched series on Netflix, with a massive 142 million viewers, barely a month after it was released.
The brutal dystopian survival show highlights the lives of debt-stricken individuals who partake in a series of games they played as kids, to either win a prize of 45.6 billion Won, or die, if they lose.
The show&rsquos fever has added fuel to the already prevalent K-drama fever turning regular K-games and snacks into global trends overnight.
Dalgona candies, featured on the show, were snapped up in markets, and so were the white slip-on Vans, which are still in demand along with the green retro tracksuits that are the hallmark of the show.
In addition to fashion and food, there are now places around the world where fans have partaken in the games, sans the bloodshed and murder.
Netflix set up a real life Squid Game area in Los Angeles to help celebrate the massive popularity of the original series, with the creepy (and meme-worthy) doll from the Red Light, Green Light game making an appearance. In Sydney too, the doll was installed as part of an interactive art installation that allowed players to engage in a non-lethal version of the onscreen game. And now, you can immerse yourself in the lives of Cho Sang-Woo, Seong Gi-Hun and Kang Sae-Byeok, in these spectacular spaces.
Strawberry Cafe, Jakarta
Armed with face masks and donning the iconic pink hooded jumpsuits is the staff at Strawberry
Cafe in Indonesia&rsquos Jakarta, which has transformed their outlet into the likeness of the fortress in
Squid Games. Visitors can play three games from the show - red light-green light, the
honeycomb or ppopgi and end with odd or even marbles. Fun, isn&rsquot it
Chick O&rsquoRico, Moscow
Promising good food, wine and time is Chick O&rsquoRico, a Korean cafe in Russia&rsquos Moscow, which
is hosting its own version of the Squid Games, and anyone who visits can participate. If you win,
you get a delicious candy, but if you lose, you have to eat a spicy pepper. Sounds safer than the
real games, for sure.
Squid Games Live
Events company Universal Ents&rsquo Frontman is calling all participants to register for their &lsquoSquid
Games Live&rsquo event, which will see up to 40 contestants take on five challenges inspired by the
show, competing for a cash prize as well, although far less than the one promised on the series.
If you thought you could survive the games, this is a chance to put all those imaginary tactics
into play.
The first event will take place on November 27.