I survived Netflix's 'Squid Game' challenge in LA and some of the games are just as stressful as the show makes them look

Kirsten AcunaJan 15, 2024, 09:05 IST

I was able to play Red Light, Green Light and came out victorious at "Squid Game: The Trials," but it was a nerve-wracking experience.Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

Netflix is hosting a "Squid Game" experience in LA where fans can compete in show-inspired games.
I tried the competition, playing through larger-than-life replicas of Battleship and Operation.

When Netflix announced a "Squid Game" experience was coming to Los Angeles in December, I was ready to throw my hat in the ring.

"Squid Game: The Trials," which runs through early January, invites people over the age of 13 to try their luck at six competitions inspired by the hit 2021 South Korean drama and its accompanying reality series, "Squid Game: The Challenge."

But unlike in either show, no cash prize awaits players here. Instead, people pay to play with tickets starting at $39 and going up to $99 in a building on the CBS Television lot.

I previewed the event ahead of its December 6 opening in late November. I had no idea what to expect or how rigorous the challenges would be, but I consider myself to be in decent shape as I go running a few times a week, so I figured I'd be OK.

Though I embarrassed myself right out of the gate, I was happy with my performance by the end of the nearly 70-minute competition, conquering two of the show's classic games.

Ahead of the challenge, I got a quick behind-the-scenes tour to take photos of the space.

One of the many "Squid Game" trials I'd soon face off against.Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

Sadly, I didn't get to wear a cool tracksuit with a number while competing.

The creepy Squid Game facilitators and the Red Light, Green Light girl welcomed me as I entered the CBS facility. I hoped to come face-to-face with her later.Kirsten Acuna/Insider

Instead of a tracksuit, I received a bracelet before the competition.

The bracelets were the color theme of the tracksuits.Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

At 7:30 p.m., we entered through a sliding door and learned we'd play with a VIP.

TJ played with us!Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

We then had our photos taken just like on "Squid Game."

Player 366 was ready to proceed!Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

We were ushered into a mini replica of the show's barracks to hear the rules.

There were pink dots in front of the two Squid Game guards for us to stand on upon entering.Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

I blew the first competition, modeled after the bridge game, Glass Stepping Stones.

I thought I was going to excel at this game. I botched it.Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

The next room had everyone convinced we were going to play a fan-favorite game.

No one wanted to be with the umbrella shape. Turns out that was a mistake.Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

Though we stepped into a dalgona-themed room, it turned out we were playing a different game.

The dalgona room.Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

I redeemed myself during the marbles game.

It turns out I was decent at marbles.Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

I'm good at Operation, but a life-sized version of the board game was much harder.

It was nearly impossible to get some of these items out without hitting the sides.Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

I was blindly paired up with a team for the next game.

I paired up with TJ for the next challenge near the far-right wall.Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

I was on the losing team for Battleship.

A peek inside both Battleship war rooms.Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

We were then asked if we wanted to stop playing or carry on.

If we wanted to continue playing the game, we needed to stand on the side of the room with the circle.Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

The do-or-die game was Red Light, Green Light. I was the first to finish.

I snapped this photo quickly after making it across the line.Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

I didn't get to play the last game, but that's OK.

Four finalists square off in the final "Squid Game" challenge where they need to balance wooden eggs on spoons.Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

I wound up in 14th place. I could've done better, but I was proud of my result.

I finished in 14th place out of 31 players with 757 points.Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider

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