The creator of Netflix’s Squid Game has addressed accusations that MrBeast ‘ripped off’ the format of his show for a controversial video.
If you aren’t one of the 674 million people who watched the YouTuber’s video ‘$456,000 Squid Game In Real Life!’, he put a group of 456 people through the actual tasks depicted in Squid Game.
Granted, MrBeast didn’t actually kill the contestants as happens on the Netflix show, but it still drew some criticism.
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In 2021, Vice wrote an article at the time titled: 'Mr. Beast’s Squid Game Ripoff Is Exactly the Kind of Video YouTube Rewards', where writer Gita Jackson claimed that it highlighted 'a fundamental problem' with the platform, adding: "There is no shortage of people who make original art and put it online, but the internet is dominated instead by people who can take advantage of existing properties and fan bases."
This is, however, not an opinion shared by Squid Game's creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk.
LADbible spoke exclusively to Dong-hyuk ahead of the upcoming season two of the TV show, which is releasing 26 December on Netflix.
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When asked whether people replicating the conditions of the show is a sign people are missing the point, Dong-hyuk said: “I don't think so. In fact, I think that, as a whole, is the message of Squid Game.
"You know the themes of the Squid Games is about the capitalist society, where everything is commoditised and everything is calculated with money.
“I want to say here that the series of Squid Game is not created to enlighten or awaken anybody. It is a product that is created to generate revenue, right?
“Having said that, to have people watch a show like that, to recreate the game on their own, make their own versions, I think all of it is very much in line with the capitalist society that is depicted in Squid Game.”
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He went on to say: “All of it really is a reflection of the world that is portrayed in Squid Game. Some people like to say that [things like Mr Beast’s Squid Game video] dilute the message of Squid Game. I actually think it enforces it and makes the message even greater.”
Squid Game’s first season was the most watched Netflix series of all time, leading the streamer to green-light a second season, as well as their own version of the reality show, Squid Game: The Challenge.
This also drew some criticism, with Variety opening their review of the reality show by saying: “From the moment [Netflix Chairman] Reed Hastings tuned into an earnings call wearing a green-and-white tracksuit, it was clear Netflix may have learned the wrong lessons from the success of Squid Game.”
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Despite this, Netflix are full steam ahead with the show’s second season.
Dong-hyuk said of the upcoming second season: "The games are one of the biggest changes as well as the characters.
"Except for Gi-Hun, all of the characters that play the games are new so you’re going to be able to see more endearing characters that you end up rooting for."
Squid Game season two releases December 26 worldwide on Netflix.
Topics: MrBeast, Netflix, TV, TV and Film
Michael Slavin