NEW YORK, Oct. 14 (Korea Bizwire) – As Netflix gears up for the December release of “Squid Game” Season 2, the streaming giant has launched an immersive entertainment space in New York City, allowing fans to experience games similar to those featured in the hit Korean drama. The company also announced plans to open a similar attraction in South Korea early next year.
On October 12, Netflix unveiled “Squid Game: The Experience” at Manhattan Mall, near Koreatown in New York City. This marks the second such venue following last year’s opening in Los Angeles.
Visitors can participate in five games inspired by scenes from the drama during the hour-long experience. These include Memory Steps, inspired by the show’s glass bridge game, as well as Warships, Red Light Green Light, and marbles, which appeared in the reality show “Squid Game: The Challenge.”
Participants compete in groups of 24, with scores automatically calculated via wristbands to determine the ultimate winner.
The venue also features a Night Market offering Korean snacks and an Squid Mart selling various themed merchandise and clothing. A pop-up store from H Mart, the largest Korean-American supermarket chain, is also present.
While entry to the Night Market and Squid Mart is free, tickets for the games and other attractions range from $29 to $59.
Netflix plans to expand this concept globally, with upcoming locations in Madrid, Spain later this month, Sydney, Australia in December, and Seoul, South Korea in early 2024.
Josh Simon, Netflix’s vice president of consumer products, highlighted the show’s impact during a media preview event. “Squid Game is the most popular TV show in Netflix history, with 265 million viewers,” Simon said.
He noted the show’s influence on merchandise sales, citing the popularity of Squid Game-inspired tracksuits during last year’s Halloween season in the U.S.
Simon also revealed ongoing discussions with various Korean companies, including Shinsegae and CJ CheilJedang (Bibigo), for product launches related to Netflix content.
“Netflix collaborates with creators to deliver movies and TV shows to viewers worldwide,” Simon stated. “Now we’re doing the same in the product sector, helping Korean products reach shelves beyond Korea.”
Image credit: Netflix / photonews@koreabizwire.com
