Fans of Squid Game may be excited — or horrified– to discover that the giant animatronic doll featured in the first episode of the Netflix K-drama series actually exists in real life.
The innocent-looking figure plays a gruesome role in the survival show, introducing players to the first of several life-or-death challenges. As it turns out, the doll is real and was momentarily on display at a horse carriage museum called Macha Land, according to Newsweek. The museum is located in Jincheon County, about three hours outside of South Korea’s capital city of Seoul.
The doll was originally manufactured for filming and stood outside the museum’s entrance up until a few days ago when its manufacturer decided to keep the doll.
Korean newspaper Hankook Ilbo reported that the doll was intended to be stored privately within Macha Land but that a miscommunication had led to it being prominently displayed outside instead.
A smaller 10-foot replica of the doll still exists for the outside, though, and was installed by Netflix at a crosswalk outside of Robinsons Galleria Ortigas Mall in The Philippine capital of Manila last month. Like the doll in Squid Game, this version is able to detect motion with its eyes, which will emit a glaring red glow if someone crosses while the light is red. It also sings the same chilling song as the doll in the show.
Better play by the rules because she’s always watching. Will you make it past the first round of Squid Game? pic.twitter.com/qvTlHddqsr
— Netflix Philippines (@Netflix_PH) September 22, 2021
It appears that Netflix’s disturbing promotional stunt may be working. The video posted by the Netflix Philippines account on Twitter shows passerby freaking out as the doll turns its head around to aim its sensors at a jaywalker.
For more on Squid Game, a café in Singapore is inviting visitors to try the show’s honeycomb challenge.
