‘Squid Game’ to Edit Out Scene Featuring Real Phone Number
Netflix is making a move amid the issue surrounding the breakout Korean series "Squid Game."
After the successful premiere, several outlets revealed that the phone number flashed in one of the episodes does exist.
Apparently, the owner has been hounded with phone calls and messages from viewers 24/7 since the show was released.
Netflix to Cut Out Scene Featuring the Phone Number Featured in 'Squid Game'
According to the Korean Times, the streaming giant is taking action regarding the issue after "Squid Game" is getting axed due to privacy concerns.
As a result, Netflix has announced that they will edit out several scenes featuring the eight-digit number in hopes of putting a stop to the prank-call apocalypse.
"Together with the production company (Siren Pictures), we are working to resolve this matter, including editing scenes showing the phone number where necessary," the official statement reads.
In the drama, 456 participants with ballooning debt were lurked into joining the mysterious game.
They were handed out a calling card containing an eight-digit phone number. To participate in the game, players who wished to join must call the number indicated at the back of the card.
After "Squid Game" was released on September 17, the woman who claims to be the owner of the phone number reached out to SBS saying that she has been receiving countless phone calls and messages every day.
She complains about being pestered by the calls and that her "daily life has become difficult."
In addition, the owner also pointed out that her privacy has been violated due to the Netflix series.
Initially, the streaming giant spoke about the issue and explained that there's nothing they can do about it.
However, Netflix then released a statement saying that their team, alongside the production company Cyron Pictures, "are aware of the problem and are working to solve it."
READ MORE: PD Hwang Dong Hyuk Reacts to 'Squid Game' Theories About Lee Jung Jae and Player 001's Father-Son Relationship
'Squid Game' Director Apologizes due to the Phone Number Dispute
In an interview by a South Korean outlet, "Squid Game" PD Hwang Dong Hyuk addresses the alleged leaked phone number and apologized for creating such a huge controversy.
Moreover, the 50-year-old filmmaker also explained that he and the team thought that the number was "non-existent."
"In fact, I wrote it because it was a non-existent number. I used it because it was a safe number. That's why this situation happened, and I'm really sorry that I didn't check it in detail until the end," PD Hwang Dong Hyuk said.
Apart from it, "Squid Game" also faced privacy issues regarding the bank number displayed in one of the episodes.
Outlets mentioned that viewers are sending various amounts to the said account to see if it's active.
Interestingly, the director also knew about this, saying that the production team told him that they were receiving deposits.
However, he explained that the account number is owned by one of the production team's friends, and they used it with permission.
"Squid Game" is a nine-episode survival game-themed series where 456 participants join the game in hopes of winning the whopping cash prize amounting to $38 million.
The cast includes Lee Jung Jae, Park Hae Soo, Jung Ho Yeon, and Wi ha Joon as the lead stars.
