Medics were reportedly called to the set of Squid Game: The Challenge after several contestants claimed they’d suffered severe injuries due to competing in cold temperatures.
On Wednesday–via Variety–the British tabloid The Sun spoke to several people who were eliminated from the reality show and who spoke on their experience filming during a cold snap in the UK. Filming began on Monday, with sources telling the tabloid that while recording the first game, Red Light, Green Light, the temperatures were as low as -3C.
“Some people couldn’t move their feet because it was so cold,” one source said. “You could hear someone yell ‘medic’ and the crew would rush on. We ended up standing there for 30 minutes between takes.”
“Even if hypothermia kicked in then people were willing to stay for as long as possible because a lot of money was on the line. Too many were determined not to move so they stood there for far too long,” another said. “There were people arriving thinking they were going to be millionaires but they left in tears.”
Squid Game: The Challenge is being filmed at two sets in the UK, one being an enclosed, former airplane hangar near Bedford, north of London. Contestants, some not from the UK and not used to the cold weather, were reportedly given hand warmers and thermal underwear to stay warm during the first day of filming.
Netflix has denied that any serious injuries have been caused on the set of the reality show. A Netflix spokesperson told Variety, “We care deeply about the health and safety of our cast and crew, and invested in all the appropriate safety procedures. While it was very cold on set–and participants were prepared for that–any claims of serious injury are untrue.”
The reality series is based on the award-winning 2021 Korean drama Squid Game and is part of Netflix’s plan to expand the Squid Game universe. The competition will feature 456 contestants who will compete in a series of games inspired by the show for the prize of $4.56 million.
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