As a huge fan of both the original “Squid Game” series and Netflix’s reality game show remake “Squid Game: The Challenge,” the chance to meet official contestants from the game show cast at a popular LGBTQ+ venue in New York City was an opportunity I couldn’t miss.
The Squid Game Stop Light Party
Player #141 Dash and Player #016 Sam, famous for their memorable participation in Squid Game: The Challenge, hosted this party with a blend of charisma and warmth.
February is a popular month of the year for traditional Stop Light parties.
Stop light parties, also known as stoplight parties or traffic light parties, are parties at which guests wear different colors to indicate their relationship-seeking status. They’re especially popular around Valentine’s Day.
Oftentimes, it can be signaled by the color of the clothes you wear, a bracelet, a handkerchief, or a necklace. At this party, they gave everyone a double-sided bracelet. One side was red and the other side was green.
As you can probably imagine: choosing red means you’re unavailable and/or not looking to meet anyone, whereas displaying green indicates that you’re single and/or open to meeting someone. (No yellow at this party, though some may have that option.) Yours truly went with green. ✌🏼
A stop light party couldn’t have worked more perfectly paired with the Squid Game theme which is a television series famously known for its first challenge: Red Light, Green Light.
The Inclusive 3 Dollar Bill
While having the party in Manhattan would have made the logistics a bit easier, I was excited about the party being hosted at 3 Dollar Bill: a popular LGBT-friendly venue.
I think 3 Dollar Bill has the right atmosphere for something like this. It is trendy and very large, and the music was at just the right volume where it was comfortable to dance or talk, and you didn’t have to scream or struggle to hear what people were saying while chatting near the bar.
The cast indeed had many LGBT players in the first season.
Despite the venue’s affiliation as a gay bar and nightclub, it still provided a safe and inclusive space for gay individuals and allies alike. My sister and her boyfriend joined as did many non-LGBT contestants from Squid Game: The Challenge. I appreciated them choosing a diverse setting which did justice to the theme of inclusivity in “Squid Game.”
Celebrity Meet & Greet
The most special aspect of this party was that it offered fans the rare opportunity to meet, network, and befriend actual reality show contestants. The reality stars in attendance were so friendly and charismatic that they bridged the gap between them and their fans.
In terms of popularity, it’s true that Squid Game: The Challenge didn’t take off as much as the original series did a few years back but it was still very cool to meet the reality show contestants in real life. The contestants were so friendly and I actually spent a decent chunk of time talking with them throughout the night.
I consider myself a Squid Game super fan so I was definitely a bit “star-struck” to meet them in real life. Having the fandom congregate in one space was pretty neat too.
By the end of the night, I had met so many major players from show: Sam, Dash, Phill, Spencer, LeAnn, Jada, and Jackie, just to name a few.
Stepping Into Squid Game
Between seeing people in green tracksuits, recognizing actual contestants from the show, and admiring the Squid Game circle, triangle, and square icons up on the television screens, I really felt like I stepped into a microcosm of Squid Game in my reality.
The energy inside 3 Dollar Bill was contagious and I loved every moment of it.
Before the party, I ordered a Squid Game tracksuit along with some sets of player numbers. I talked to the hosts in advance and they said that tracksuits weren’t required but were totally encouraged and that it would be awesome if I wore one. So I did!
During the party, I was actually asked to join one lady on her podcast and I had to awkwardly break the news to her that I was just a fan. 😅 My sister (who wasn’t even wearing Squid uniform) was mistaken for one of the contestants and scored a free drink.
Those were just two of many silly mishaps from the night.
Really, though, it was so cool to spend time talking to some really awesome people from the show. One of my favorite contestants who, aside from Dash, really spent a good chunk of time chatting with me was in the incredible: Spencer!
You may recall Spencer from his numerous moments of screen time during the Dalgona challenge… 😅
Reasons to Love Squid Game
Unity In Diversity
This party, if nothing else, was a showcase of how “Squid Game” touches hearts universally. The atmosphere highlighted the shared human experience that connects so many of us.
Critics of the show say that Squid Game is a dark series, but the life-or-death stakes and elements of violence have nothing to do with why I love it so much.
Social Commentary
The series does a great job of getting viewers to think about society. I appreciate how Squid Game draws attention to the disparities between the wealthy and the poor. It also portrays the desperation people experience driven by debt. More to the point, it captures the extreme measures people can be pushed to within a capitalist society.
Character Development
Both the original series and the competition have rich character development. Many of the Squids from the reality show who got the most screen time were the same Squids in attendance at the party in Brooklyn, New York!
Cultural Insights
Squid Game offers a glimpse into South Korean culture, both through the games played which are all rooted in traditional Korean game culture as well as the societal pressures that motivate the characters to opt into the competition.
The Aesthetic
The visual presentation of Squid Game is striking and symbolic. I really love the bright colors used across the game arenas and uniforms, and how it is used in contrast with such a “dark” theme throughout the series.
Even the female voice of the announcer is so cheerful that it feels so peculiar juxtaposed with the horrific circumstances of the competition.
Squid Game Auditions
Ever since I first got wind of the game show, I have thought about auditioning. Now, after having the chance to meet the cast from Season 1, I think I want to try out for Season 2.
I know the show was surrounded by controversy and is amid numerous lawsuits, but if a second season does come to fruition, I think it’s something I’d love to experience. I’m still thinking about it, but it’s on my radar.
If you’re one of the elites, please forward my name to the casting crew at Netflix. Thanks in advance. 😁
Great article. 😊enjoyed reading this adventure. 🥂