When Squid Game premiered on Netflix in 2021, it quickly became a global phenomenon, captivating audiences with its intense storyline, complex characters, and brutal survival games. But behind the scenes of this record-breaking series was an unforeseen controversy that had real-world consequences. Netflix and the show’s creators were forced to alter a significant detail after they unintentionally disrupted the life of a South Korean woman. This story highlights the unexpected ways in which art and reality can collide—and how even the smallest oversight can lead to significant consequences.
What Went Wrong: The Phone Number That Sparked Chaos
At the center of this controversy is a seemingly innocuous detail: a phone number. In one of the show’s opening episodes, desperate contestants are given a business card with a mysterious phone number to call if they wish to participate in the deadly survival game. The problem? The phone number displayed in the show was not a fake one—it was a real, active number belonging to a South Korean woman who had nothing to do with the series.
Almost immediately after the show aired, the woman began receiving an overwhelming number of calls and text messages from fans around the world. Many viewers, curious about whether the number was functional, decided to call it, not realizing the chaos it would cause. According to reports, the woman was inundated with thousands of prank calls, harassing messages, and even requests to join the fictional game.
The Fallout: A Woman’s Life Turned Upside Down
The woman, whose identity has been kept largely private for her safety, revealed in interviews that her life was turned upside down by the incident. The constant flood of calls and messages made it nearly impossible for her to use her phone for work or personal reasons. She described the ordeal as deeply stressful, with no end in sight as the show’s popularity only grew.
At one point, she reportedly received over 4,000 calls in a single day. Fans would call at all hours, some laughing and joking, while others took things further, leaving disturbing messages or asking outright about the deadly games depicted in the series. The sheer volume of interruptions affected her sleep, work, and overall quality of life.
Despite her efforts to ignore the calls, the relentless harassment pushed her to seek help. The situation highlighted the unforeseen risks of including real-life details in fictional media—and the consequences of such oversights for everyday people.
Netflix’s Response: A Necessary Adjustment
When the issue came to light, Netflix and the creators of Squid Game quickly faced backlash for their lack of due diligence. The streaming giant issued a public statement acknowledging the mistake and apologizing for the distress caused. They committed to resolving the issue promptly to prevent further harm.
The Fix: Altering the Phone Number
In response to the controversy, Netflix edited the affected scenes to remove or obscure the phone number. The company worked to digitally alter the sequence, replacing the real number with a fictional one that would no longer cause harm. This adjustment was implemented in all versions of the show available on the platform, ensuring that future viewers would not be tempted to call the number.
Compensation Efforts
Reports also indicated that Netflix and the production team reached out to the woman to apologize directly and offered compensation for the distress she endured. While the exact details of the settlement have not been disclosed, the gesture underscored Netflix’s commitment to addressing the situation responsibly.
How Did This Oversight Happen?
The inclusion of a real phone number in a globally distributed series raises questions about how such an oversight could occur in the first place. Typically, productions use fake phone numbers that are registered explicitly for fictional purposes, ensuring that they cannot accidentally correspond to real-world numbers.
In this case, however, it appears that the creators of Squid Game underestimated the implications of using a real number. According to reports, the number was shortened in the show, which may have led them to believe it wouldn’t cause any issues. Unfortunately, this assumption backfired, as South Korean phone numbers often function even when incomplete, leaving the number active and vulnerable to widespread attention.
The Broader Implications for Media and Privacy
This incident has sparked important conversations about the responsibilities of filmmakers, showrunners, and streaming platforms when creating content. While Squid Game is far from the first production to accidentally include real-world details, the scale of the fallout highlights the potential for unintended harm in today’s hyper-connected world.
Lessons for the Entertainment Industry
- The Importance of Double-Checking Details: Production teams must be meticulous in ensuring that phone numbers, license plates, addresses, and other details used in films and TV shows are fictional or otherwise safe for public use.
- Global Reach of Content: With streaming platforms like Netflix making content accessible to audiences worldwide, the potential for unintended consequences is greater than ever. Small oversights can lead to massive disruptions, particularly when a show gains viral popularity.
- Protecting Privacy: This incident underscores the need for ethical considerations in media production. The inclusion of real-world elements, even unintentionally, can violate privacy and disrupt lives, as seen in this case.
The Legacy of ‘Squid Game’: A Cautionary Tale
Despite the controversy, Squid Game remains one of the most successful and influential series in Netflix history. Its gripping narrative, social commentary, and memorable visuals have solidified its place in pop culture. However, the phone number incident serves as a cautionary tale for the entertainment industry—a reminder that even the smallest details can have significant real-world consequences.
For the woman whose life was disrupted, the incident has been a harrowing experience. While Netflix’s efforts to address the issue and compensate her are commendable, the situation serves as a stark example of the unintended impact that fictional media can have on everyday people.
Conclusion: A Lesson in Accountability
The Squid Game phone number controversy is more than just a footnote in the series’ history—it’s a lesson in accountability and the power of media. As creators continue to push the boundaries of storytelling, it’s crucial that they also prioritize the privacy and well-being of real people who may be inadvertently affected.
Netflix’s swift response and corrective actions set a standard for how such incidents should be handled in the future. By taking responsibility and working to resolve the issue, they’ve demonstrated that even in the face of mistakes, there’s an opportunity to do the right thing.
As we continue to enjoy groundbreaking content like Squid Game, this story reminds us of the delicate balance between art and reality—and the importance of ensuring that one doesn’t inadvertently harm the other.
