Inside YouTuber MrBeast’s real-life Squid Game – the viral video recreated the Netflix hit, cost US$3.5 million to make and featured a US$456,000 prize – but why the Twitter criticism?

Nov 30 , 2021

YouTube star MrBeast’s recreation of Squid Game was a viral hit. Photos: @mrbeast/Instagram, MrBeast/Captured from Youtube

The recreation of the K-drama game earned more than 100 million views in four days, plus praise from influencers KSI, Logan Paul and Zedd

Some social media users called out the video’s extravagant cost while others rushed to MrBeast’s defence, highlighting his philanthropic efforts Team Seas and Team Trees

YouTuber James Steven Donaldson – more popularly known as MrBeast – has over 80 million subscribers on YouTube. He is known for his extravagant video ideas, which usually involve giving away large sums of money. In the past, he has hosted competitions featuring prizes such as Lamborghinis, houses and even a private island.

The 23-year-old social media star’s latest video is his most ambitious – and expensive – project yet. Following the release of hit Netflix show Squid Game, he took it upon himself to rebuild the entire set and host the game in real life (but without the killing part). The video features 456 participants and a prize of US$456,000 for the winner. In its entirety, the production cost Donaldson around US$3.5 million to put together.

So exactly how did he do it, and did the internet love it – or hate it?

Most trending video on YouTube

According to Donaldson, his YouTube rendition of Squid Game received over 42 million views in the first 24 hours of its release and also began trending on the social media platform. The following three days saw the views count skyrocket to over 100 million. Creator Jon Youshaei noted that this was almost as many views as the actual Squid Games series received during its first month on Netflix.

Renowned personalities such as KSI, Logan Paul and Zedd have since showered Donaldson with praise for his ambitious project.

Built to scale?

Youtuber MrBeast recreated the Netflix hit Squid Game in a video. Photo: @MrBeast/Twitter

Donaldson had to make slight changes to the games to fit his format. As the participants had already watched Squid Game, they wouldn’t be caught off guard if presented with the exact same challenges.