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Squid Game is Netflix’s most-watched show ever , and apparently, the South Korea survival drama is even getting watched in countries like North Korea, where the show is forbidden. Unfortunately, there are some fatal consequences for anyone who distributes the show in the country and those caught watching it. Those outside the nation are learning this firsthand after news broke that a South Korean smuggler was sentenced to death related to the series.
The smuggler was reportedly sentenced to death by firing squad after distributing copies of the show on USB flash drives. The punishment is part of North Korea’s Elimination of Reactionary Thought and Culture, which is a law aimed at punishing those who illegally distribute and view books, plays, movies, music, and television shows from outside the country. Radio Free Asia reported authorities discovered the illegal copies of Squid Game after a high school student illegally purchased a flash drive and watched it with their best friend during class.
In addition to that, the government fired the students’ teachers and other school administrators who failed to notice the illegal activity, and they will likely be sent to remote mines to work hard labor. The smuggler sentenced to death is only the latest to face harsh penalties as a result of sneaking illegal media into North Korea. Reports say a man was also sentenced to death by firing squad for distributing CDs and other South Korean media.
North Korea is not a fan of foreign media, and it’s believed that the reason is outside influence encourages citizens to try and escape . It’s unknown if the new law will succeed in preventing more outside media from being viewed within the country, though one would imagine anyone would think twice given the harsh penalties that have been alleged.
Who Hosted The Real-Life Version Of Squid Game?
Does the real-life Squid Game kind of miss the point of the series? Probably, but at least people lived! Remember Netflix’s hit series Squid Game, the show it seemed the entire world watched that revolved around how 456 down-on-their-luck people are killed off until only one remains to win a big money prize?
YouTuber MrBeast hosted the real-life version seen below, which has a lower cash prize of $456,000 compared to the Netflix series’ $39 million. Competitors also don’t get murdered though, so there’s that. The video dropped on Nov. 24 and already has an impressive 116 million views so far.
The real-life game is also nicer than the one created by Hwang Dong-hyuk in that those who make it to later rounds get some cash as a consolation prize, instead of, you know, death. MrBeast, who has over 84 million subscribers on YouTube, is known for giving away lots of money and doing impressive stunts. This Squid Game reenactment sans horrible death is just his latest over-the-top video.
If this Squid Game scenario isn’t high stakes enough for you, however, don’t fret — there’s still the first season to rewatch on Netflix, and we’ll eventually get a second season of said show, though Dong-hyuk has said it will explore a different theme other than capitalism literally being the death of us.
What Is The Name Of The Hotel In Gangwon Province, South Korea That Will Host A Real-Life Version Of Squid Game?
In Gangwon Province, South Korea, a hotel announced that it will be holding a real-life version of Squid Game later this month. According to The Korea Times, St. John’s Hotel in Gangneung will be hosting the event. The hotel’s official site is publicizing the real-life take on the popular Netflix series, where t he winner will receive 5 million won ($4,178), far less than the prize money on the show.
It costs 10,000 won ($8.39) to register in advance. Those who are competing will get a mysterious business card with a phone number . Then, they will go to a pine for est near the hotel and compete in four games: “the Mugungwha flower has bloomed” (“Red Light, Green Light” in English), tug of war, “ttakji chigi” (paper tile flipping), and the “dalgona (flat sugar candy) challenge.”
As in the show, those who don’t follow the rules will be eliminated. The Korea Times reports that the reaction to this real-life Squid Game was mixed, with some wondering if it violated the Netflix’s copyright, and if it was a good idea to hold such an event during a pandemic. This isn’t the only real-life take on the popular show.
Participants will don green P.E. uniforms in hopes of winning 45,600 points to be used in the online platform Frip. As with the St. John’s Hotel event, losers will not be killed.
In What Year Was As The Gods Will Released?
But in east Asia, viewers have pointed out how the show bears similarities with the 2014 Japanese film As The Gods Will. The movie is centred on high schoolers but it follows a comparable storyline, and some have even accused Squid Game of plagiarism.
What Netflix Series Was Smuggled Into North Korea?
A man who smuggled copies of smash hit South Korean Netflix series “Squid Game” into North Korea has been sentenced to death, after authorities caught high school students watching the show, according to Radio Free Asia (RFA). U.S.-headquartered independent news agency RFA reported, quoting sources, that the series was smuggled in from China on USB flash drives and that the smuggler faces death by firing squad. “A student who bought a drive received a life sentence, while six others who watched the show have been sentenced to five years hard labor, and teachers and school administrators have been fired and face banishment to work in remote mines,” RFA reported.
The act is mainly aimed at preventing the spread of media from South Korea and the U.S. and those found distributing or consuming these are liable to be punished. According to widespread reports, in April this year a man was publicly executed for selling drives and CDs containing South Korean material. “Squid Game,” in particular, has been a source of anger in the dictatorship.
The RFA report suggests that there is great public anxiety over the fate of the high school students and that more people could be implicated in the investigation. Variety has reached out to Netflix for comment. Netflix is not available in China, but “Squid Game” has been pirated widely in the country, per reports.
How Many Points Did Contestants Have To Join The Squid Games?
Today I’ll consider some of the more interesting legal questions to arise from the squid games. Issue One: Did the Organizers of the Squid Games Break the Law? Murder is illegal.
But the liability for the organizers doesn’t stop with the crimes that were committed directly by them. Even without the felony murder rule, the organizers could still be charged for murders committed by contestants, under the theory that they solicited those murders. Issue Two: Is It Illegal to Sign Up for the Squid Games?
For that reason, the competitors could be charged with conspiracy to commit murder simply for deciding to join the games — even before any additional games were played. First, under this theory, one would be guilty of conspiracy to commit murder as soon as one agrees to join the game. But the liability doesn’t stop with the conspiracy charge — contestants could be charged with murder as soon as a death actually takes place.
Thus, the competitors would find themselves facing both conspiracy charges and murder charges. A person who joins a conspiracy is not bound to the conspiracy for life. If a majority of the contestants vote to withdraw, the game ends and contestants are returned home.
Issue 3: What About the Prize Money? But even if it did, the fact that the reward is associated with illegal murder games means the government would be able to seize the prize money under a theory of civil forfeiture. The question when it comes to the games isn’t whether they’re illegal, but instead whether we, as the viewers, are clever enough to identify how they’re illegal.
What Is The Name Of South Korea’S Latest Cultural Phenomenon?
It was just a matter of time until the Netflix sensation, Squid Game, turned into a planned real-life event. That is, a version of it without the murder and violence. Squid Game: South Korea’s latest cultural phenomenon Contestants may now participate in a series of Korean children’s games based on the show.
Also read | Squid Game: Why is such a violent show on its way to become number 1? To apply, candidates must complete a form with three questions about the series. Participants will be dressed in Squid Game t-shirts, while the event personnel will be costumed in the pink circle, triangle, and square costumes worn by the in-show game facilitators.