As the world awaits the winner of Netflix's multi-million dollar competition, a former contestant has lifted the lid on the surprisingly grimy conditions players endured during filming.
The Unwashed Reality of the Dormitory
Emily Boe Lee, known as Player 383 on the hit series Squid Game: The Challenge, has shared some startling behind-the-scenes details with her followers. The 25-year-old from Colorado, who finished in twelfth place, disclosed that one of the most unpleasant aspects was the sleeping arrangements.
While the dormitory with its stacked beds perfectly mirrored the fictional show, Emily revealed a less glamorous truth. The sheets were never washed or changed between games. As players were eliminated, beds were simply removed and rearranged, meaning contestants never slept in the same bed twice.
"People were finding like hairs and stuff in their pillows that did not belong to them," she admitted, describing the situation as the "grossest fun fact" about the production.
Continuity Over Comfort
The hygiene situation was compounded by the demands of television production. Emily explained that for continuity reasons, there were periods where contestants were not permitted to shower for up to three or four days at a time.
The most notable instance was when they first arrived at the dorms. Producers wanted to create the illusion that the counting game and the pentathlon all occurred within a single day. In reality, filming spanned three whole days, during which showering was prohibited to maintain consistent appearances.
This combination of unwashed bedding and extended periods without proper washing facilities created an environment that was far from the sterilised reality TV sets viewers might imagine.
The Final Countdown
These revelations come just as the series approaches its dramatic conclusion. After eight tense episodes, the grand finale is set to release, revealing which of the final five contestants will win the $4.56 million prize pot.
The ninth and final episode of Squid Game: The Challenge will be available to stream on Netflix from 2am on November 19. Emily Boe Lee was eliminated during the fifth game, Slides and Ladders, but her insights provide a unique perspective on the reality behind one of the year's most talked-about shows.
