We played Squid Game: The Challenge – and learned how brutal it really is

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It’s common to watch reality competitions and believe you could easily compete. However, TopMob writers David Craig and Laura Rutkowski aren’t so sure they’d fare well.

Despite this, the group was taken to Shinfield Studios in Reading to view the actual sets used for Squid Game: The Challenge and try out a couple of the challenging games, which proved to be quite a learning experience.

The players were clearly exhausted after a grueling day at the tournament, both physically and mentally. The huge $4.56 million prize only added to the pressure.

Their day was exciting, but David and Laura weren’t betting any money. However, the possibility of embarrassment in front of their friends was a real concern, and unfortunately, it soon happened.

This is their story.

Welcome to Squid Game

Laura Rutkowski said she wasn’t prepared for how huge the dorm was when she walked in – it was exactly as massive as she’d pictured, with enough beds for all 456 players! She quickly grabbed a lower bunk, figuring it would be easier to get out of quickly if needed.

I’m player 255, wearing a tracksuit (made in Korea, I confirmed!), thermals, and white slip-on shoes. I have a water bottle and a black bag containing my toothbrush and toothpaste, all labeled with my number. On the ground are large red ‘X’ and blue ‘O’ markings that players used during the game to signal if they wanted to stop or keep playing.

I’m noticing students quickly forming small groups all over the dorm, and it seems like they’re already making friends and alliances right away.

Before the games start, large, imposing guards in pink uniforms bring me curry and rice. I always thank them, hoping it might earn me some leniency. They never reply, which makes me think about how I usually act around people in power. I really want to obey them and stay on their good side, but I doubt it will matter much in Squid Game. My best bet is probably just to stay out of sight.

Walking up and down the brightly coloured staircases feels strange – they’re designed for the games, but actually don’t go anywhere. That’s where the cleverness of television comes into play, creating the illusion for viewers.

David Craig plans to fully immerse himself in the role of his favorite player, Thanos (played by Choi Seung-hyun), while staying in the Squid Game dorm, and intends to act like the rapper throughout the experience.

After rambling on self-importantly for about an hour, I came to the realization that I just don’t have that naturally unpredictable, dominant personality – the one that performer seemed to have, even with all their issues.

Honestly, being at this event was a bit much – so many people, especially influencers and reality TV stars, really hamming it up for the cameras. It struck me then and there that a flashy look can’t hide a lack of genuine personality. It was a pretty clear observation, seeing all that going on.

It seems to me that if this were a real, high-stakes competition, these people would be the powerful leaders, and I’d likely be one of those who humbly supports them. That’s just how it is, I guess.

Game 1: Six-Legged Pentathlon

After playing this game, I realize reality TV competitions are much harder than I originally thought.

Inspired by Squid Game season 2, the six-legged pentathlon is a challenge where five players have their legs tied together as a team. They must complete five different games – Ball in a Cup, Flying Stone, Gonggi, House of Cards, and Jegi – within five minutes, racing against another team. The show provides a look at how each game is played.

My teammates are really supportive, but I decided to try Gonggi, a challenging Korean jacks game. To be honest, I’d never played it before and didn’t have any practice, but it seems like smart contestants on a show like The Challenge would definitely practice beforehand.

The pressure was on, and I could feel it – knowing my team was counting on me with all eyes watching. But in the end, the only thing that mattered was winning, and we did it, triumphantly crossing the finish line!

David: “Purple hair, do care (a lot, actually).”

As we start playing Six Legs, my main goal is to impress everyone with my surprisingly good skills at traditional Korean playground games.

Just like in the show, I’m literally chained at the ankles to four strangers – it’s a… unique way to meet people, honestly – and we’re all anxiously getting ready to walk to wherever we’re going.

There were five game stations, each testing a different skill for one player, and I immediately volunteered for Gonggi – a fascinating game of throwing and catching that I’d always found captivating to watch.

Very quickly, I realise I’ve made a huge mistake.

After what felt like an eternity – seven agonizing minutes – the producer asked me to stop. I was trembling and felt completely exhausted, like I’d been performing for hours.

Set visit: Mingle

Laura described the set as incredibly realistic, almost exactly like the one used in the show. She said it was a cheerful, cozy, and vibrant space, decorated with lots of ribbons, and featured a large carousel in the center that actually spun, making everyone feel like they were moving.

Okay, so in the second season of Squid Game, there’s this really tense scene where a carousel spins and then stops on a number. Once it does, all the players have to quickly scramble and form groups that match that number. Then, they all rush into different rooms surrounding the carousel and have to shut the doors behind them – it’s super stressful to watch!

Whenever you hear the popular Korean kids’ song ‘Round and Round,’ most people immediately remember the ‘Mingle dance’ – a move that became well-known thanks to the character Thanos, portrayed by K-pop star T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun).

Look, David really steps into the role beautifully, so all that’s left now is to celebrate! It feels like the perfect, fitting tribute – exactly what Thanos, bless his villainous heart, would have wanted to see. A truly satisfying conclusion!

We went straight from the pentathlon area to the set of ‘Mingle,’ not as contestants – probably for safety reasons – but to watch. That’s actually why I became a journalist.

To be honest, I just don’t have the energy to get excited about this, even though it looks great. I’m completely exhausted.

My fellow activist, Laura, starts the traditional linked-arms dance – a move famously seen with Thanos and his troubled partner, Nam-gyu (Roh Jae-won) – but I don’t feel much enthusiasm for it.

I just want to rest – preferably curl up and hide! I hope the contestants on Squid Game: The Challenge have a lot more energy than I do right now.

Game 2: Slides and Ladders

Laura points out that even though ‘Slides and Ladders’ is a new addition to ‘The Challenge,’ its simple, childlike nature combined with a hidden, harsh consequence is what gives it a ‘Squid Game’ vibe.

Players team up and take turns rolling a die to move around the game board. Landing on a ladder helps you climb ahead, but the dual slide presents a risk: one path sends you further back, while the other eliminates your team. Throughout the game, players draw ‘twist’ cards that can either help or hinder their progress, and ultimately, only the top six teams will advance.

I’m on the purple team with Ayo, and we had a great start. Then, David and his teammate played a card that moved one team closer to the finish line – and they chose us! It put us right near the top, almost at the end.

We’re feeling incredibly smug… for a brief moment.

Okay, so Ayo and I had to pick a card, and it told us to advance to the double slide. I won a quick round of rock, paper, scissors – a little Squid Game homage, if you will – and Ayo bravely volunteered to go first. Unfortunately, that slide immediately eliminated him from the game! Talk about a risky move.

Still disappointed about not winning in the ‘Six Legs’ game, we moved on to the last game of our visit to the set of ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ – a really elaborate version of snakes and ladders.

Things are shifting, and it quickly becomes apparent that while I might not be very skilled, I can often get by on sheer luck – it levels the playing field, you know!

My friend Gabrielle Rockson and I found ourselves on a giant version of a classic board game, where our fate depended entirely on luck – the roll of the dice and the cards we drew. Luckily, things were going our way!

Despite a rough start to the day, it’s great to finish feeling good. I’m a little bummed I didn’t get to try the slides, though.

Death Comes for Us All

Laura says she never gets used to the feeling when the device, known as a ‘squib’, activates. It releases a sudden burst, leaving a spreading stain of black ink on her chest that has a strangely sweet, unpleasant odor.

I dramatically dropped to the floor, playing up the moment for all it was worth. Even though it was all an act – part of the game – I survived, feeling thrilled but also certain I wouldn’t have lasted much longer on The Challenge.

I’ve connected with some of the other people who played, and we now share a unique bond – maybe even a complicated one – as those who made it through Squid Game.

David watched his teammates get eliminated one after another. Each elimination happened when a small explosive device attached to their chests went off, covering them in ink.

I’m grateful to be last in line for this opportunity, as it feels like the perfect moment to finally pursue my dream of becoming an actor – something I’ve always secretly wanted.

I always get so tense right before something big happens, and when the moment finally arrives, I just… let out this huge, dramatic yell. It feels right, honestly – a little over the top, maybe, but perfectly suited to the situation.

I told myself, with a mix of excitement and apprehension, “This is definitely something I won’t be embarrassed to watch back in nine months.”

Just then, the awful smell of the fake blood jolted me back to reality, and the award fell from my grasp.

Squid Game: The Challenge is available to stream on Netflix.

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2025-11-19 17:07