The Netflix production team behind Squid Game: The Challenge have hit back at claims the show is dangerous after contestants branded the show “inhumane”.
The series, which will be a “real” version of the South Korean dystopian drama, is currently being filmed in the UK, and recreates the deadly matches where contestants fight for $4.56 million (£3.7 million).
Read more: ‘Squid Game’ and BTS costumes featured in V&A South Korean culture exhibition
However, after claims of “inhumane” treatment of the contestants – including competing in sub-zero temperatures – Netflix responded by denying the allegations.
“We value the health of our cast and crew, and the quality of this show. “Any suggestion that the competition is rigged or claims of serious injury to players are simply false,” Studio Lambert, the show’s production team, released in a statement (via ).
“We have taken the appropriate safety precautions, including aftercare for competitors – and an independent judge oversees each match to ensure it is fair for everyone.”
In the original Netflix series, 456 players are fighting for the life-changing sum of money by playing youth games. But if they were terminated, they were instantly killed in the process.
Read more: ‘Squid Game’ competition offers multi-million pound jackpot: 6 more huge TV show prizes
Squid Game: The Challenge will see 456 real-life competitors from around the world go through similar games, only without the fatal outcome.
However, as filming continued, several players from around the world, who remained anonymous, came forward to complain about the conditions of the series.
A particular claim has been made against it because of the recreation of the iconic game Red Light, Green Light – in which players try to race across a finish line without being caught by a strange doll telling them when to go, or stop and freeze.
According to Variety, the contestants claim they had to stay frozen for up to 26 minutes at a time, instead of the agreed upon maximum of two minutes, while filming for the game went on for seven hours.
Read more: ‘Squid Game’ is the most complained about BBFC age rating 2021
The seven-hour stretch took place after eight hours of preparation time ahead of the game itself.
Names alone claim that medical practitioners were called up to eight times as competitors struggled with a combination of exhaustion from the long day and the freezing temperatures the UK was experiencing at the time.
Another source claims they were not allowed to go on toilet breaks or have a drink while the game was in session.
“This is not a Bear Grylls survival show,” said one. “If they had told us it was that cold, no one would have gone through.”
“It’s not like we signed up for Survivor or Naked and Afraid,” said another. “The conditions were completely inhumane and had nothing to do with the game.”
Squid Game: The Challenge will air on Netflix later this year.
WATCH: Squid Game actress and Golden Globe Winner O Yeong-su accused of sexual misconduct