Squid Game: The Challenge (2023)

A rather lame show throughout with only some interesting parts in the middle. The final episode was really dull and had a predictable ending, and I was surprised Netflix chose to release the last episode a week after the rest. Fine. Only a few games were smartly designed, most were just average. The alliances and mind games in the middle of the season were actually quite intriguing, but as the group dwindled towards the end, it became less interesting. All in all, it's the type of reality show you can watch when you're feeling bored.

The production team behind this reality show is truly impressive. The pacing and production quality are top-notch. The show itself is basically a social experiment, with the games unearthing who can stay true to themselves when facing temptations serving their self-interests, who'll resort to manipulation, who's insecure under their friendly facade, and revealing the breaking point at which people betray their friends.

It sucks! It's so easy to tell that the whole show is prearranged. The acting from this group of amateur actors is exaggerated and fake. They did not have to split the 10 episodes into two parts, as it just makes the boring show even draggier.

While it may not look as "real" and gritty as the original movie, or carry the intense 'survival of the fittest' vibe, this reality show still offers some truly entertaining moments. Some of the games are creatively designed, but the excessive randomness in eliminating players somewhat diminishes the fun of using wits to neutralize the challenges. I'm eager to see more eccentric individuals competing in the next season.

I just watched one episode, and I loved it! If you loved "Squid Game Season 1", you absolutely have to watch this! It truly captures all that made the first series great! It's thrilling and engaging, with some exciting new elements added in. I won't spoil too much, but you'll see once you watch it! I believe the upcoming episodes won't disappoint! Netflix, well done! Looking forward to the future episodes, and of course, even more excited for "Squid Game Season 2"!

As a spinoff of the TV series that was a global sensation, this reality show failed to capture the essence of the original, particularly in the portrayal of cruelty in both human nature and the punishing mechanism of the game. The actual game progression is disrupted by too many interviews, and the participants lack interesting qualities. Overall, this reality show is too bland and lacks the tension and excitement of the original series.