Squid Game, which you have almost certainly either watched or heard about by now, is the South Korean television series produced and distributed by Netflix that became an international phenomenon in 2021. How international? Well, in addition to New York City there are “experience” locations in London, Sydney, and Seoul. (One in Madrid just closed.) How much of a phenomenon? The addictive, gruesome, distressing, extremely far-fetched but also weirdly emotional series is the most-viewed piece of “content” (the industry term) on Netflix, with a staggering 3.585 billion hours of the show’s two seasons viewed around the world, according to Netflix’s own reporting . A third and final season premieres on June 27.

In midtown Manhattan, a few steps from Madison Square Garden, Macy’s, and the Empire State Building, there’s a space where rotating tourist traps set up camp. Some years ago, I took my young niece to something called “Candytopia,” and while we certainly overdid it on the gummy worms, it was a wholesome afternoon. Today, however, visitors of all ages line up for “ Squid Game: The Experience ,” where they take selfies and recreate moments from one of the most vicious, violent, and arguably nihilistic works of popular entertainment ever made.

In midtown Manhattan, a few steps from Madison Square Garden, Macy’s, and the Empire State Building, there’s a space where rotating tourist traps set up camp. Some years ago, I took my young niece to something called “Candytopia,” and while we certainly overdid it on the gummy worms, it was a wholesome afternoon. Today, however, visitors of all ages line up for “Squid Game : The Experience ,” where they take selfies and recreate moments from one of the most vicious, violent, and arguably nihilistic works of popular entertainment ever made.

Squid Game, which you have almost certainly either watched or heard about by now, is the South Korean television series produced and distributed by Netflix that became an international phenomenon in 2021. How international?