Netflix has announced it will be removing a scene from the first episode of the South Korean drama Squid Game, which within a week of its release became one of the streaming platform’s most-watched series of all time, after allegedly featuring a real-life phone number.
The number is included in the series on a business card handed to the lead character, Seong Gi-Hun, which ends up being his invite to play in the game.
Viewers have evidently been curious to try and call the number themselves as the real owner has reportedly been inundated with calls 24/7.
A man in his 40s from the Gyeonggi Province of South Korea has claimed that he’s been receiving “endless” calls since the show, which is getting attention for its praise-worthy performances and unique yet terrifying plot, premiered on Netflix last month.
“It has come to the point where people are reaching out day and night due to their curiosity. It drains my phone’s battery and it turns off,” the man told Money Today.
“At first, I didn’t know why, then my friend told me that my number came out [in the series].”
A Netflix spokesperson said in a statement: “Together with the production company, we are working to resolve this matter, including editing scenes with phone numbers where necessary.”
