Netflix's Squid Game, The Challenge returned with a second season that pushed real contestants into a world inspired by the Korean drama that took over global pop culture. For readers who may not know the original series, Squid Game follows hundreds of financially desperate players competing in high-stakes versions of childhood games for a life-changing cash prize. Source: Tommaso Boddi / Getty Images for Netflix The reality competition takes that fictional universe and rebuilds it in real life. Contestants face recreated sets, structured eliminations, and a massive cash reward of $4.