By Honorary Reporter Theresia Kurniawan from Indonesia 

On Dec. 22, Netflix Indonesia hosted an event to promote the debut of the second season of "Squid Game." Held at Plaza Timur Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, the game featuring Red Light, Green Light as shown in the smash series saw 912 players and over 250 pink guards participate in two sessions.

Over 250 pink guards are on duty at the event's venue. (Theresia Kurniawan)

The participants included celebrities such as Indonesian badminton stars Susi Susanti and Alan Budikusuma, national soccer player Rizky Ridho and former star and coach in the same sport Bambang Pamungkas. The challenge was also livestreamed on Netflix's social media.

I won the giveaway event and got invited to play in the first session. My tracksuit was delivered in a black gift box with a pink bow, resembling the coffin from "Squid Game." The show's circle, triangle and square logo was printed on the inner bottom.

The box I received included a tracksuit and the "Squid Game" logo was printed inside. (Theresia Kurniawan)

On game day, I was assigned No. 328. The registration booths and entrance gates were designed to mirror those in the series. At the far end of the field stood a 8 m-tall replica of Young-hee, the deadly robotic doll, with pink guards stationed on both sides and along the game field.

Themed photo zones outside allowed photo ops. To heighten the atmosphere, the original soundtrack played in the background and the public was free to see the event on-site.

Players run toward the safe zone when Young-hee sings. (Theresia Kurniawan)

The game was hosted by Indonesian presenter Indra Herlambang. Before it began, he explained the rules: Players must reach the finish line within 30 minutes, moving only when Young-hee sings. 

Players could only stop in a safe zone marked with a triangle, circle or square. Any movement if the robot didn't sing, stopping outside a zone or stepping on the lines meant instant elimination. Players still behind the start line after Young-hee's third song were also disqualified. The pink guards were the sole referees, and their decisions were final.

On the left are Honorary Reporters from Indonesia who made it to the top 10 taking a photo with Young-hee and pink guards. On the right is the medal given to the top 10 finishers. (Spinela Sipayung)

As the game began, the 30-minute countdown started, and players quickly rushed to the nearest safe zone. The rules made the game more challenging than the series, as the zones shrank the closer players got to the finish line. Many like me were eliminated for failing to reach a zone in time or laughing and tripping while running. 

Luckily, I was in the middle of the crowd, so the pink guards didn't see me initially but I was eliminated at the next zone due to a small movement I didn't even realize. A pink guard then escorted me off the field. 

Scenes from "Squid Game" are recreated at the station Blok M in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Theresia Kurniawan)

News of the event quickly went viral with the public and Indonesian media. Netflix Indonesia shared funny and key moments on its social media like players striking poses, tripping and making humorous facial expressions. 

In addition, related pop-up events across Jakarta promoted the series' latest season. On Dec. 20, I met a pink guard at the station Blok M in Jakarta, where I also saw a man in a black suit challenging passersby to play the game ddakji chigi (flipping folded paper tiles), just like the Salesman in the series.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.