5 Shocking Ways 'Squid Game Was Real': Lawsuits, Hypothermia, And The $4.56 Million Prize Winner

The chilling question, "Was Squid Game real?" has transcended the realm of fiction and entered the world of reality television, complete with massive prize money, intense competition, and a dark shadow of controversy. As of December 2025, the conversation is dominated not by the fictional South Korean dystopian thriller, but by its real-life adaptation, *Squid Game: The Challenge*, a Netflix reality series that has made the iconic games a reality for 456 players, promising a life-changing $4.56 million jackpot. This unprecedented adaptation, however, has ironically mirrored some of the most harrowing themes of the original series, facing allegations of unsafe conditions, mistreatment of players, and even legal threats, proving that the high-stakes, cutthroat environment of the show is very much a real phenomenon. The true "realness" of *Squid Game* can be dissected into two distinct, yet equally compelling, categories: the literal, high-stakes reality show and the deep, metaphorical economic and social injustices that inspired the original creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk. From players suffering from hypothermia during the "Red Light, Green Light" challenge to the story of the winner who had to wait months for their massive cash prize, the reality show has generated as much, if not more, controversy than the fictional series itself. We delve into the five undeniable ways *Squid Game* moved from a Netflix hit to a real-world cultural and legal flashpoint.

The Real-Life Players: Biography of the $4.56 Million Winner

The most tangible evidence that "Squid Game was real" is the existence of a multi-million-dollar winner. While the fictional series ended with a morally conflicted Gi-hun, the reality show crowned an actual champion who walked away with the largest single cash prize in reality TV history. The first season's winner, Mai Whelan (Player 287), a 55-year-old immigration adjudicator from Virginia, became a household name after her intense final victory in 2023. Her journey and post-win experience became a major news story, embodying the real-world implications of the game. Mai Whelan (Player 287) Profile:

• Player Number: 287
• Age: 55 (at the time of the show's airing)
• Occupation: Immigration Adjudicator
• Hometown: Virginia, USA
• Prize Money: $4.56 Million USD
• Key Games: "Red Light, Green Light," "Dalgona," "Marbles," "The Glass Bridge," "Circle of Trust," "The Final Game" (Rock, Paper, Scissors)
• Controversy: Whelan publicly stated that she had not received the $4.56 million prize money for months after the finale aired, despite winning the competition in early 2023. This delay sparked a media frenzy, with many pointing out the irony of a winner of a show about debt and desperation having to wait for their life-changing prize. She eventually received the full amount, confirming the prize's real-life status.

Season 2 of the reality series also crowned a winner, Perla (Player 072), who also secured the $4.56 million prize, further cementing the show's status as a real-life high-stakes competition. The sheer scale of the prize money—$4.56 million—is a direct, non-fictional parallel to the fictional game's astronomical reward, drawing in players desperate to escape their own real-life financial burdens.

The Brutal Reality: Allegations of Unsafe Conditions and Legal Threats

The most shocking element proving that the "Squid Game" environment was "real" came from the contestants of the reality show itself. Numerous players from *Squid Game: The Challenge* have come forward with harrowing accounts, which led to threats of legal action against Netflix and the show's producers. These controversies ironically mirrored the dystopian themes of the original series, where contestants were treated as disposable commodities.

1. Hypothermia and Player Mistreatment Claims

The "Red Light, Green Light" challenge, the first and most iconic game, was the epicenter of the controversy. Contestants claimed they were forced to endure extreme cold temperatures while filming in the UK, dressed only in the thin green tracksuits that are synonymous with the series. Several players allegedly suffered from hypothermia and required medical attention, with some calling the conditions "unsafe" and "harsh." This treatment, where the health and safety of players seemed secondary to the spectacle, gave the reality show a truly dark, real-life edge.

2. The Rigging and Pre-Selection Controversy

Following the first season's success, allegations of rigging and pre-selection emerged, further fueling the idea that the game was not entirely fair. While producers denied the claims, the accusations from former contestants suggested that some eliminations were pre-determined or that certain players were given preferential treatment, undermining the show's core premise of a level playing field. This scrutiny over fairness and manipulation adds a layer of real-world complexity and moral ambiguity to the competition.

The Dystopian Roots: Real-Life South Korean Tragedies That Inspired the Show

While the reality show provides the literal answer to "Squid Game was real," the original fictional series, created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, was deeply rooted in genuine, harrowing South Korean social and economic issues. The creator explicitly stated that the show was a metaphorical critique of the country's economic inequality and the crushing burden of personal debt.

The Ssangyong Motor Strike: Gi-hun's Real Backstory

The character of Seong Gi-hun (Player 456), the main protagonist, was directly inspired by a real-life event: the 2009 Ssangyong Motor Strike. Gi-hun's backstory as a laid-off worker who participated in a violent labor strike, leading to his eventual massive debt, is a direct parallel to the Ssangyong incident. In 2009, thousands of workers at the Ssangyong Motor factory in Pyeongtaek staged a violent protest and occupation after mass layoffs. The resulting clashes with police and the economic devastation for the workers and their families served as the harrowing, real-life template for Gi-hun's desperate circumstances. This detail confirms that the *motive* for playing the game was very much real.

The Metaphor of Crushing Personal Debt

The central theme of *Squid Game*—individuals so burdened by debt that they willingly risk their lives for a chance at financial freedom—is a stark reality in South Korea. The show’s premise reflects the nation’s massive household debt crisis and the intense pressure of a hyper-competitive capitalist society. The desperation of the players to escape their financial realities is the most powerful, metaphorical way in which "Squid Game was real" long before the reality show was conceived.

The Global Phenomenon: Cultural Impact and Copycat Events

Beyond the official Netflix adaptation, the sheer cultural force of *Squid Game* led to a global wave of real-life, non-lethal copycat events and installations, further solidifying its real-world presence. From elaborate, costly fan-run games to massive public art installations, the show's aesthetic became a worldwide reality.

1. Real-Life Squid Game Events (Non-Lethal)

Across the globe, businesses and organizations hosted non-lethal *Squid Game*-themed events, complete with the iconic tracksuits, guards, and games like "Red Light, Green Light" and "Dalgona." These events, often held for team-building or commercial purposes, allowed the public to experience the aesthetic and tension of the show without the violence.

2. The Brothers Home Tragedy (Potential Inspiration)

While the creator denies any direct inspiration from a single historical event, some analysts and fans have drawn parallels between the show and the horrific Brothers Home scandal in Busan, South Korea. This was a state-funded facility that operated as a detention center from the 1970s to the 1980s, where thousands of people were forcibly confined, abused, and forced into labor. The idea of a hidden, isolated facility where vulnerable people are exploited and abused is a chilling, real-life echo of the game's setting and premise. The question of whether "Squid Game was real" is not a simple yes or no. It is a resounding affirmation that the show's themes—economic desperation, player exploitation, and high-stakes competition—have all manifested in the real world, whether through the controversial reality show adaptation or the harrowing social issues that provided its original, fictional foundation.