When the South Korean series Squid Game made its debut on Netflix this past September, it quickly became an international sensation.
The dystopian drama series, where impoverished contestants compete in deadly challenges based on children's games to win a massive cash prize, quickly became the streamer's most watched show to date.
Now, thanks to social media superstar Mr. Beast, Squid Game super fans have their chance to actually partake in the games.
A concept which has left people severely divided.
This past October Mr. Beast posted a video to his TikTok page where he promised if the video got more than 10 million likes, he would "recreate Squid Games in real life."
@mrbeast It’s in your hands tik tok
Mr. Beast, who's real name is Jimmy Donaldson, is well known for his YouTubechannel featuring expensive stunts and challenges for sky-high cash prizes.
Though he has also made headlines for using both his YouTube channel as well as his celebrity for charitable causes.
According to Newsweek, the video received over 10 million likes in roughly 11 hours
The 23-year-old influencer and philanthropist subsequently posted an update, claiming he was "grabbing random TikTok followers to compete in his Squid Game."
@mrbeast #stitch comment what number contestant you want to be :)
The comments section of the update was filled with fans eager to partake in the real life Squid Game.
@mrbeast/TikTok
@mrbeast/TikTok
@mrbeast/TikTok
@mrbeast/TikTok
@mrbeast/TikTok
This past weekend, Mr. Beast showed fans his replica of the hit series' set, including the iconic and terrifying giant doll from the deadly "red light/green light" game.
@mrbeast Reply to @m1.6zzz since you all have been asking… #beastgame
Mr. Beast revealed the project was a multimillion dollar undertaking, and the cash prize would be likewise.
Around 2 mil to build and produce and 1.5 mil in prizes
— MrBeast (@MrBeast) November 13, 2021
Impressive as the recreation was, the project was met with a decidedly mixed reaction on Twitter.
As was to be expected, there were several fans who were in awe of what he achieved and put themselves forward as prospective competitors.
Can I go? :)
— Bobicraft (@BobicraftMC) November 13, 2021
such a legend
— marshmello (@marshmellomusic) November 13, 2021
Dear MrBeast, this is a long shot, but can I be apart of this? 🧐
— Disc (@Diiscc) November 13, 2021
Am I the only one who is excited for @MrBeast Squid game video? pic.twitter.com/vhIxXSV3h1
— ESP Mexi (@Mexiwnl) November 16, 2021
This looks so great man! I can't wait to see how cool this is, and how much this will do for people!! https://t.co/0eOZgeV0XI
— KaK (@bageldacat) November 16, 2021
But Mr. Beast was also met with a sizable amount of backlash, with several pointing out he missed the point of the show, intended to be a critique of capitalism and class disparity.
Others believed his money could have been put towards a far worthier cause.
Having this much wealth is the issue that the show was depicting
— _ (@Scourge_bunny) November 14, 2021
hot take but i feel once you've reached this level of wealth maybe you should be using said wealth to benefit the impoverished and not use it to recreate a show that is a direct critique of the exact thing being done here but hey that's just me https://t.co/UnK0mxgXKZ
— isis (@ISISST0P) November 14, 2021
you know that tv show about a game where desperate people kill themselves for the chance of winning money, telling us about how sadistic the rich can be and how the working class is just entertainment fodder for them?
let's do that in real life! don't worry nobody dies so it's ok
— ☭ Marcos ☭ (@MarcosEduardoT) November 14, 2021
The creator of squid game prolly having an aneurysm at how much his "show that's about capitalism" is getting exploited by capitalism
— Hassan 🇵🇰 (@Xassaan0) November 14, 2021
A ludicrous waste of money and resources. Shameful.
— Andrew (@virgo_ascending) November 14, 2021
However, a number of Mr. Beast's more devoted fans quickly came to his defense, bringing attention to his highly successful philanthropic efforts which include raising over $20 million for the Arbor Day foundation.
Man, people really out here trying to cancel one of the most generous guys on the planet…
Over a fkn video set
— Expirecl (@Expirecl) November 14, 2021
pic.twitter.com/m5YiufbhW5
— Gon (@Gon31003139) November 15, 2021
yeah right, if only he has a channel, that 100% of the revenue goes into the food bank, to feed people in need, or if only he built a community to clean the ocean or to plant 20 mil trees, the world would be a better place, smh
— DWi (@DWi46098276) November 15, 2021
For all the people in the qrts pic.twitter.com/i6jvJ88gsx
— The Luxo Critic(Isaac and Luxo) (@AndLuxo) November 14, 2021
i don't get why people are mad about this, mrbeast gives away a lot of money & a chunk of the proceeds from this video alone will go to a food bank that he opened up… plus he's giving away money to people in this video as well. he's the most generous rich guy & y'all still mad- https://t.co/KJBteWUDFt
— stan daddy Reigen (@mewniepie) November 17, 2021
With the TikTok video having received over 33 million views and over five million likes, it seems Mr. Beast's real life version of Squid Game has the potential to cause as big a sensation as the original show.